A new Global Centre of Rail Excellence
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) was established by the Welsh Government as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in 2021. It is a major infrastructure project that will provide state-of-the-art rolling stock testing, infrastructure testing and storage and maintenance for the UK and international rail industry.
GCRE will:
- deliver a modern and comprehensive rail testing and innovation facility; providing the capacity and capabilities for rigorous testing of rolling stock, infrastructure, and integrated systems from prototype to implementation
- be a catalyst for the creation of a rail technology hub in Wales; providing a flexible, open-market platform for leading R&D activity that drives and accelerates innovation on the journey to net-zero
- help to reduce regional inequality and promote regeneration in Wales; we’re working with industry to support skills development through high-quality employment in fair, secure and sustainable jobs that contribute to reducing regional inequality and promoting regeneration in Wales
- support the development and testing of rail sector principles, standards and specifications; improving the UK's competitive strengths as a world leader in achieving carbon neutrality, contributing to an overall decrease in carbon emissions across the rail industry, boosting exports, enabling greater efficiency in a lower cost reliable railway, key tool in major project risk mitigation.
A full website is currently in development but please do contact us at enquiries@gcre.wales if you have any questions or would like to find out more.
