£100m rail testing centre planned for Wales

The Welsh government is planning a ‘world-leading’ rail testing centre to accelerate innovation in the industry.

The ‘Global Centre of Rail Excellence’ will cost an estimated £100m, and will offer facilities for rolling stock and infrastructure testing, storage, decommissioning, maintenance and servicing.

The government is considering potential sites for the project, but, according to Rail Journal, the preferred location is a former open-cast mine and coal-washer site in Nant Helen, on the border between Powys and Neath/Port Talbot.

 “This area, at the top of the Dulais Valley, has been reliant on the coal industry for generations. With this era drawing to a close, there is great potential for investment drawing on existing and new skills,” said transport secretary Ken Skates.

“I have therefore instructed Welsh government officials to move to the next stage of business case development, which will involve continued and close partnership working. We estimate a bespoke facility like this will cost £100m to deliver, and it is not a project that can proceed without local support, private-sector investment and the commitment of manufacturers, rolling-stock companies, network operators and a range of other stakeholders to back it now and into the future.”