Stoke-on-Trent council has unveiled a new transport delivery and strategy plan which includes a proposal for a very light rail (VLR) network.

According to Construction News, the proposal aims to connect the city centre to the outer urban core. The proposed network consists of three lines and is expected to cost £415M. The expected cost is based on an assumption of £10M per km along the 40-mile network.

The three proposed lines were selected based on multiple criteria including the local topographical constraints and how the new lines will connect parts of the city not covered by the existing light rail network.

VLR schemes can be rapidly delivered at lower cost by utilising existing road and rail infrastructure and can be designed to have lower CO₂ emissions compared to light rail.

Currently VLR has only been implemented in Qatar but plans are already underway to implement it in the UK. In Coventry work on the first of four proposed lines is already underway and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is inviting resident to have their say in the new transport system with both online and in-person consultations before the new transport strategy is considered by the full council next year.

Local councillor Daniel Jellyman said, “The fact that we are refreshing our transport plan shows that we have the ambition to develop and deliver a reputable transport network for the whole of Stoke-on-Trent. Our transport strategy is a serious piece of work. It took years to get to this point and we have worked very hard on it, but it is not definitive and that is why we have launched our consultation. I would encourage all residents to have their say.”