Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they are offering Rail Research UK £7 million to offer strategic advice to the rail industry (as reported in the Observer on 2 March); and whether this is likely to duplicate strategies which the Strategic Rail Authority is required to produce under the Transport Act 2000. [HL1973]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)Rail Research UK is being set up by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPRSC) as a centre for railway systems research and166WA as part of the council's objective to support high quality research in the engineering and the physical sciences that is in tune with industry's needs.
The centre involves 12 research groups from seven UK universities and will be jointly led by the Universities of Birmingham and Southampton. It will concentrate on providing a strong engineering base for railway systems research and achieving a safer and more reliable railway whilst reducing the impact on the environment.
Rail Research UK's role will complement the statutory requirements placed upon the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) by providing evidence-based research for the development of a safer and more reliable rail system.