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.