Community News From Around Our Area

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street Hails Cash for Coventry ‘Very Light Rail’ Scheme

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has welcomed £115.9 million in funding that will help decarbonise and improve Coventry’s transport system.

Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which worked with Coventry Council to secure the funding, described it as ‘fantastic news’.

A large chunk of the funding will go to the state-of-the-art Coventry Very Light Rail project, which has formed a big part of the Mayor’s ambitious plan to revolutionise the region’s public transport.

Mr Street said, “I’m so pleased to see that Very Light Rail in Coventry is set to benefit from this £115m funding. The money will be used to support the development of this unique Coventry scheme which, when finished, will offer an affordable and reliable light rail system in the city centre.

“The Commonwealth Games this summer showed us that we can wean ourselves off car reliance if we deliver quality, affordability and reliability in our public transport offer.

“Working together across the WMCA, universities and local authorities, we can help tackle the climate emergency and smooth our path towards a more sustainable future for transport – changing the lives of local residents for the better.

“Coventry has always been a place of transport innovation, and right now it’s leading the way forward with investment in an electric bus fleet and ongoing work to bring a Gigafactory here. Very Light Rail is another important piece of innovation.”

The money will also be used to support a number of innovative transport schemes across the city, including improvements to the road networks and new cycling and walking routes.

Very Light Rail forms an important part of Mr Street’s vision for the West Midlands’ transport network, which includes extending the Metro lines, reopening long-closed railway stations, investing in low emission vehicles and encouraging cycle use and walking.