Coventry Very Light Rail project to go ahead after multi-million pound cash injection
It's part of plans to improve transport networks across the West Midlands
The planned Coventry Very Light Rail project is set to go ahead after West Midlands Combined Authority agreed to include the project as part of its plans to improve transport networks across the region.
Coventry Very Light Rail would aim to deliver all of the benefits of trams but at a cheaper cost - providing an alternative to the car and helping improve air quality and reduce congestion. The scheme would be built in the city centre.
It comes as more than 50 projects to improve road, rail, tram, bus ,cycling and walking routes across the West Midlands gave been agreed today.
Some of the other wide-ranging plans include more than 100km of new segregated cycle routes, 50km of bus lanes and priority measures and a new railway station at Aldridge.
Efforts to encourage greater use of electric vehicles will also be supported with a network of 1,600 car charging hubs and ten ultra-rapid charge points.
Funding is also being set aside for the existing Metro system, with funding being set aside to develop a business case and plan for the further extension of the Midlands Metro along the the Hagley Road, as well as the expansion of the tram depot in Wednesbury.
The schemes, to be developed over the next five years, will be funded from the £1.05 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which was awarded to the region by the Department for Transport (DfT) last year, topped up with local funding.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, said: “This unprecedented investment will allow us to deliver more than 50 exciting projects as we continue to revolutionise and de-carbonise public transport across the West Midlands.
“From an expanded Metro network and new railway stations, to more cycle routes and better electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the schemes we have agreed today will benefit every area, with improved links for communities right across the West Midlands, whilst also tackling the climate change emergency by cutting down our carbon emissions.
“I know the team cannot wait to get started on these projects, and so once we have Government approval we will press on with getting diggers in the ground and people into work.”
Access to sustainable transport will be improved along key growth corridors including between Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood, Wolverhampton and Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell and Smethwick and Icknield.
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The seven local authorities have worked together to produce a package which will ensure we get the most from this investment.
“It will deliver new work and leisure opportunities for our communities, improve our health, reduce traffic congestion, and accelerate our journey towards becoming a net-zero carbon region while fully integrating with our ongoing investment in rail, bus, Metro and cycling.”