SCOTLAND’S GLOBAL RAIL INNOVATION HUB BID CONTINUES

A scheme to create an international rail cluster of excellence in Scotland has been extended following the success of the first phase.

Scottish Enterprise has again appointed Scottish Engineering to continue connecting more Scottish businesses with train manufacturers, contractors, academics and research centres.

A total of 530 organisations signed up in the initial phase of the Rail Cluster Builder project, with almost half being small firms.

A number of these have since entered into the rail industry for the first time, securing the opportunity to work with organisations such as Network Rail Scotland and Progress Rail.

The project is part of efforts to make Scotland a world leader in creating net zero emissions railways.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is providing funding of £75,000 for phase two of this project, as phase one has already demonstrated the potential to boost jobs and skills while contributing to inclusive economic growth in Scotland.

In 2020 the Scottish Government launched our Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan which sets out in detail how we will decarbonise Scotland’s rail services by 2035 and contributes towards our commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Working together with partners to deliver innovative ideas and solutions will advance our path to a low carbon economy.”

The programme also became the launchpad for the First of a Kind competition to find businesses which could come up with innovative solutions to challenges set by the likes of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.

A total of 18 supply chain events were hosted by the Rail Cluster Builder throughout the first phase.

Scottish Enterprise’s director of innovation and place Derek Shaw said: “The Cluster Builder is already helping ensure Scottish companies will be ready to benefit from worldwide growth in the low carbon rail sector and this second phase will connect even more Scottish businesses with the country’s top manufacturing innovators, as well as connecting up supply chain partners.

This means real opportunities for SMEs in Scotland, as well as contributing to our ambitions for more and better jobs and a green economic recovery. I’m really excited to see how much more will be delivered in phase two.”

Phase two will continue to be led by Shona Clive, who joined Scottish Engineering for the first phase of the project bringing over 25 years of rail sector experience and currently holds the post of vice-chair of Women in Rail.

Scottish Engineering chief executive Paul Sheerin stated: “We are excited to be given the opportunity to step up our ambition for the Rail Cluster in this new phase, renewing our focus on finding ways to connect Scotland’s Engineering SME’s to opportunity in the rail sector.

Our continued involvement allows us to help companies seeking to diversify their business into rail, matching their interest in sustainable business streams which will flow from the clearly defined targets for rail de-carbonisation in Scotland and the UK.”

Clive added: “We have strengthened the Scottish Engineering Rail Cluster team to ensure that this new phase of the Rail Cluster is well resourced to deliver at the pace and the quality that we have set our sights on. And while we will retain the elements that have delivered a successful cluster to date, we look forward to bringing new ideas and innovation to the way we deliver, including an outward view to the rail opportunities across the UK, Europe and beyond.”