Plans for very light rail in Dudley given a boost
Plans for a £25 million very light rail innovation centre in Dudley have been given a boost with the first deal struck to test vehicle prototypes on its track.
Coventry City Council has confirmed its intention to use the test track in Dudley once it is built.
It comes as Dudley Council’s cabinet is expected to approve funding to allow development work to continue "at pace" for the pioneering centre, which is proposed for a site near Castle Hill.
As part of its ambition to develop very light rail travel for Coventry, working with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, Coventry council will use the test track in Dudley to carry out research and develop vehicle prototypes.
Coventry council says it will also be seeking funding for a potential extension to the track in Dudley.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley council, said: “This is fantastic news for Dudley. Very light rail innovation is at the heart of our regeneration plans and we see it as a real game changer in the development of travel solutions worldwide.
“The first phase of this £25 million project will deliver the test track and innovation main building. The test track isn’t even built yet and we’re already attracting interest from other authorities. It’s great to have Coventry City Council on board with a commitment to use our test track as part of their research and development of vehicle prototypes for the city.”
He added: “Depending on the progress of the planning application and all funding being in place we are looking to begin work on the test track and innovation centre in early 2019, with completion of both towards the end of 2020.
“We’re really excited about this project, which is why we’ll be considering an amendment to the funding of the preliminary stages of this project at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on 27 June. We’re looking to bring forward £130,000 in funding on the advance works, design fees and statutory authorities, ahead of the full funding package for Phase 1 of the project being formally approved.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council, added: “Our ambition is to create a state-of-the-art, lightweight, battery-operated vehicle which will ultimately be capable of operating without a driver. It’s a unique and innovative project and I’m delighted that we will be working so closely with Dudley and testing our prototype at their innovation centre.”
Coventry plans to be the first city in the world to install a permanent tracked route and unveil a vehicle prototype during 2021 when it becomes the UK City of Culture.
The innovation centre will see part of Castle Hill transformed with a 550-strong workforce of engineers and apprentices responsible for designing, building and testing vehicles. It will include meeting rooms, laboratories, teaching facilities, exhibition and conference space, a large engineering workshop and 2km test track which will include test platforms
Research at the centre will investigate ways to reduce the weight and cost of railcars and track, enabling the creation of lower-cost connections between suburban and rural areas and providing a cheaper alternative to heavy rail and traditional ‘Metro’ urban transport systems
Meanwhile, Coventry City Council has appointed an award-winning transport specialist, Transport Design International, to work with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, from the University of Warwick, to design and build a very light rail vehicle which will be part of the city’s new transport system.
