GCRE Limited and Network Rail have signed a major new commercial arrangement aimed at accelerating innovation in UK rail.
The deal will see the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) support Network Rail with testing, research and innovation, once the site is operational.
GCRE Ltd Chief Executive Simon Jones said the collaboration would help to accelerate UK rail innovation; support decarbonisation of the UK rail network and help in the development of more cost-efficient rail infrastructure.
GCRE has been supported with funding from Welsh and UK Governments and will be a purpose-built facility for world class research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting-edge new rail technologies.
The announcement is the latest in a series of major commercial partnerships to be agreed by GCRE, including Hitachi, CAF and Transport for Wales.
Chief Executive of GCRE Limited, Simon Jones said:
“GCRE is delighted to agree this significant commercial agreement with Network Rail, which aims to be a long-term partnership. GCRE facilities will support Network Rail with its research, testing and certification activity, by providing access to R&D and innovation infrastructure found nowhere else in Europe.
“As a site for world class innovation, GCRE will be Europe’s first, purpose-built site for rolling stock testing, infrastructure innovation and the development of cutting-edge new decarbonisation technologies. It’s fantastic that Network Rail will now be a key customer of the GCRE site once it is built.
“In their business plan published last year, Network Rail outlined some of the vitally important work they need to do across the UK network in the coming years, including supporting the industry’s path to net zero and helping develop new and more resilient rail infrastructure in the context of the climate crisis.
“At our GCRE facility we can support that activity with the development of the ideas, research and innovation that will help deliver the stronger, faster and greener railway we need for the future.
“Crucially, this multi-million pound agreement secures another high-profile customer for the GCRE site, highlighting the commercial momentum behind our facility and the strength of our business model.”
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence is a purpose-built rail innovation centre being constructed in South Wales which aims to become Europe’s leading facility for rail innovation.
