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Government allocates £15 million for strategic rail research

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (150) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18 September 2008

The Department for Transport (DfT) today announced the allocation of an additional £15 million for a new strategic research programme to be managed by Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), offering a substantial boost to the rail industry's research and development capacity. The new programme is additional to the current research programme, also managed by RSSB and DfT-funded.

The new Strategic Research Programme will help the industry achieve the challenging long term goals set out in last year's Rail Technical Strategy, and support the rail industry and its stakeholders in the delivery of 'step changes' on the rail network over the next 30 years.

Speaking at the launch of the programme today, rail minister Tom Harris MP said:

"I am pleased to be able to announce a new strategic research programme, including £15 million of Government funding. 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."

Research projects are due to start in spring 2009, and the programme itself will run for five and a half years. Before that, RSSB will work with DfT and the industry on 'route-mapping' - paving the way for an industry vision of what fulfilling the Rail Technical Strategy means, and how the new research programme can support it.

RSSB's Director of Policy, Research and Risk, Anson Jack said:

"RSSB is established as the rail industry's own research body and welcomes this vote of confidence and the commitment in the industry's future research needs. We look forward to working with our members, the industry and the Department for Transport to make the Rail Technical Strategy a reality."

Department for Transport press office:
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

visit the website on http://www.rssb.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. The Rail Industry Strategic Research Programme was launched today by rail minister Tom Harris MP. It is funded by the Department for Transport. The new programme aims to support industry and its stakeholders in the delivery of 'step changes' in industry strategy in 10, 20 and 30 years time - as outlined in the Rail Technical Strategy, which supports the Delivering a Sustainable Railway White Paper.

2. The need for this new programme arose from a review of rail industry research. The implementation plan for this new research strategy included the establishment of a new programme on strategic research.

3. RSSB manages research and development (R&D) on behalf of government and the railway industry, in support of short, medium and long term objectives. The new programme is additional funding to the current core programme also managed by RSSB. For more details on the programme go to: http://www.rssb.co.uk/research/rail_industry_strategic_research_programme.asp

4. The Technical Strategy Advisory Group (TSAG) has recently been established to support the development, challenge, communication and delivery of the Rail Technical Strategy. TSAG is a cross-industry group facilitated by RSSB and the industry client group for this new research. To read more about TSAG's role - go to http://www.rssb.co.uk/sysint/sic/TSAG%20Issue%201.pdf

5. RSSB builds industry-wide consensus and facilitates the resolution of difficult cross-industry issues. We provide knowledge, analysis, a substantial level of technical expertise, powerful information and risk management tools. This delivers a unique mix to the industry across a whole range of subject areas.