Following a visit to Unipart Rail in Doncaster, Ed Miliband, the Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero, has affirmed his backing for innovation in the rail industry to help it decarbonise, and stated that innovation is “essential to delivering Net Zero and creating a cleaner, greener Britain”.

The Shadow Climate Secretary made the visit with his fellow Doncaster MP Dame Rosie Winterton to the Technology and Innovation Hub at Unipart Rail’s headquarters.

The UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) launched the hub in September last year, and is a £92 million partnership between academia and industry. It supports both SMEs and the wider sector in solving strategic industry challenges through academic research and innovation, and driving the development of the next generation of products and services.

Unipart is an important rail manufacturer and employer in Doncaster that, among other projects, is working on innovative decarbonisation solutions that were shown to Miliband and Winterton during their visit, which was part of the Rail Industry Association’s (RIA) Rail Fellowship Programme. The programme matches politicians to rail sites relevant to their brief or are in their constituency, and provides them with a hands-on experience. It was launched in 2018, since when it has grown rapidly, and there is now a waiting list of MPs interested in taking part.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Climate and Net Zero, and the MP for Doncaster North, Ed Miliband, said:“Rail is one of the cleanest modes of transport, but there is still more to be done to invest and innovate for the future. Industry is doing its bit, as I’ve seen with Unipart Rail in Doncaster. This innovation is essential to delivering Net Zero and creating a cleaner, greener Britain”.

MP for Doncaster Central Dame Rosie Winterton MP said: “Doncaster is a central hub for the railway industry, and Ed and I are proud to have had the opportunity to see it in action today. Rail is crucial for jobs, for livelihoods, and for creating a greener future for our children, not just in our local area but right across the country.

“Thank you to Unipart Rail for hosting us and to RIA for inviting me to join their Rail Fellowship Programme, which helps highlight the fantastic work of the supply chain.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “Rail is vital in achieving net zero, and the industry stands ready to help deliver a low carbon transport future. We’d like to thank the Shadow Climate and Net-Zero Secretary Ed Miliband for highlighting this issue and offering his backing to industry’s innovation efforts.

“The RIA Rail Fellowship programme exists to showcase the railway industry to our politicians, and we were thrilled to welcome Ed Miliband, and Dame Rosie Winterton on board today. Thanks to both for working with us to showcase the value and power of the rail supply community.”

Professor Steve Ingleton, Engineering & Technology Director (Unipart Rail), said: “ We are delighted that the Shadow Climate and Net-Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Rosie Winterton were able to visit our technology and innovation hub. Support for developing and delivering innovation into the rail sector is vital for modernisation of the network and working with our UKRRIN partners Unipart Rail is playing a leading role in its transformation.”