New rail engineering school heading for university campus
DESIGNS for a new engineering school and research centre for the rail industry at the University of Birmingham have been unveiled.
Last month, a new research centre launched at the Edgbaston institute to focus on digital systems in the rail industry.
Currently operating from existing buildings, the centre will eventually be housed in its own dedicated complex on the campus for which plans have now been lodged with Birmingham City Council.
It has been designed by Birmingham-based practice Associated Architects with planning consultancy from Turley and is due to open in September 2020.
The majority of the new hub will house the university’s School of Engineering, the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research & Education and teaching staff, with its payroll expected to grow from 80 to 140 staff.
Birmingham Centre for Railway Research & Education is said to be the largest university-based centre for railway research and education in Europe and its research partnerships see experts working with more than 50 companies in over 20 countries.
In addition, there will be the Digital Systems Innovation Centre to provide office and lab accommodation for third party research and academic partnerships in the rail industry.
The Digital Systems Innovation Centre is one of four centres across the country backed by £92 million of government investment and which launched in February.
This will see eight universities team up with businesses to work on developing new products and technology as part of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network.
While University of Birmingham focuses on the digital sector, the three other centres will look at infrastructure, rolling stock and testing.
Among the 17 industry partners supporting the various projects are Alstom, Siemens, Bombardier, Singapore Metro and British Steel.