NP Aerospace, which has a long heritage of manufacturing military vehicles, will join WMG at the University of Warwick and Transport Design International (TDI) as a partner on the innovation side of the project.
The Very Light Rail network, which will run on the local road network and they join WMG at the University of Warwick and Transport Design International (TDI) who are partners on the innovation side of the project.
In August, WMG and TDI worked with NP Aerospace to begin the assembly of the innovative, rail guided, battery-powered vehicle for Coventry’s planned Very Light Rail network. Engineers are now constructing the carbon fibre and metallic structure that will form the backbone of the vehicle.
Thanks to NP Aerospace’s specialised facilities, engineers from both companies have been able to continue their work in a safe environment which allows them to fully comply with the government’s social distancing guidelines.
The finished vehicle will be capable of comfortably carrying 56 passengers and will be tested on the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre Test Track at Castle Hill in Dudley. This prototype vehicle is the first of its kind and is scheduled to start on track testing early next year.
The project is led by Coventry City Council in close collaboration with engineers at WMG at University of Warwick and Transport Design International.
Following a comprehensive test programme for vehicle and track, a permanent tracked route is planned to be installed across Coventry supported by a fleet of locally manufactured vehicles.
The VLR Research and Development phase is being managed by researchers from WMG, at the University of Warwick, in partnership with Coventry City Council and Transport for West Midlands. The project has been made possible thanks to funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and the West Midlands Combined Authority Devolution Deal.
Dr Darren Hughes, associate professor at WMG, University of Warwick said: “The Coventry Very Light Rail project will deliver a step change cost reduction for light rail in the UK. We are really proud that this marks the beginning of the journey to roll out low cost, rail based transport for medium sized cities in the UK. We are particularly pleased that despite current global challenges we can continue to work with TDI, NP Aerospace and the supply chain to deliver this novel rail vehicle on time and budget.”
James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, added: “NP Aerospace has a long history in Coventry and is proud to be supporting the Very Light Rail programme in our local region. The VLR build utilizes NP Aerospace’s capability in assembling and delivering complex defence vehicle programmes and extends this into the rail and transportation sector. During a period where the pandemic has caused disruptions to the economy, the VLR build has instead generated local jobs reinforcing the regional and wider UK workforce and supply chains. Furthermore, it provides an economically and environmentally friendly transportation capability with global demand, driving UK export opportunities and future economic growth in the region. We are thrilled to be supporting TDI in delivering this capability to Coventry.”
NP Aerospace www.npaerospace.com
