The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has announced the allocation of an additional £15m for a new strategic research programme to be managed by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).
The new offering is in addition to the current research programme managed by the RSSB and will offer a substantial boost to the rail industry's research and development capacity.
The new Strategic Research Programme has been initiated to help the industry achieve the long-term goals set out in last year's Rail Technical Strategy, which supports step-changes on the rail network over the next 30 years.
Rail minister Tom Harris MP said that he was pleased to announce the £15m Strategic Research Programme.
"This programme will help the industry achieve the challenging long-term goals set out in the White Paper, such as doubling rail capacity and further reducing the carbon footprint of rail transport in a safe and cost-effective way," he said.
Research projects are due to start in spring 2009, and the programme itself will run for five-and-a-half years.
The initial phase of the project will involve the DfT and RSSB working together on route-mapping and how the new research programme can support it.
RSSB's Director of Policy, Research and Risk, Anson Jack said that the company welcomes this vote of confidence.
"We look forward to working with our members, the industry and the Department for Transport to make the Rail Technical Strategy a reality."
By Daniel Garrun
