Nicola Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, recently visited the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) as part of the Railway Industry Association‘s (RIA) Rail Fellowship Programme.

BCIMO is a not-for-profit organisation and the driving force behind a new £32 million poundstate-of-the-art rail research and development facility that is a  multi-purpose centre of excellence. It is located on the site of the former railway station at Dudley in the West Midlands and has a host of unique facilities, including a Rail Development and Test Site, Engineering Laboratories, Serviced Offices and an Events Suite. All the facilities are available for use by local and national companies, including those looking to develop and test new rail products.

The Rail Fellowship Programme is designed to link politicians with rail supply sites across the country, and during her visit, Nicola was impressed by the commitment to advancing the rail industry through hands-on research and development.

She also met a team from the Coventry Very Light Rail project which is carrying out R&D at the centre in an effort to create an innovative track design and vehicle that will deliver an affordable light rail system for Coventry and elsewhere.

Very Light Rail (VLR) is expected to provide an alternative to personal vehicles and contribute to improving the region’s air quality and reducing its congestion. Nicola also experienced the centre’s Transport Systems Simulator which is used to train new VLR drivers and conduct research into VLR and transport technology.

By enabling new routes to be evaluated and VLR drivers trained, the simulator plays a key role in developing new VLR systems, as well as demonstrating to interested parties the planned route for Coventry’s first VLR.

Another of the centre’s projects is the Clean Futures Accelerator, which is promoting sustainable technologies in transportation across the West Midlands. The project is being led by the Connected Place Catapult, in partnership with BCIMO and Coventry University, which provides facilities, expertise, and technical support for the programme. In a two-year programme, 40 SMEs will be selected for a 6-month accelerator where they will receive funding to trial their solutions in a challenge built around rail and automotive manufacturing, and related supply chains.

Toby Williams, Public Affairs & PR Manager at RIA, said “It was great to team up with the BCIMO to host Nicola Richards MP and showcase some of the best rail engineering innovation. Through purposeful conversations bridging industry stakeholders and policymakers, we are actively shaping a technologically advanced and sustainable rail sector.”

Nick Mallinson, Director of Business and Innovation at BCIMO, said “It was great to host the visit of Nicola Richards and learn about her interest in how VLR solutions could help in the levelling up of public transport services across the UK.

“Nicola enjoyed the opportunity to view the prototype Coventry VLR vehicle and learn more about the project status from Coventry Council representatives.

“At BCIMO we are innovating to improve urban mobility for the region and beyond while reducing carbon emissions and creating a sustainable future.”

Nicola Richards MP said “Taking part in the Rail Fellowship Programme and touring the BCIMO has proven to be a fascinating experience. BCIMO’s trailblazing work will have a positive impact on both local and broader urban transportation choices, benefiting my constituents.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Rail Fellowship Programme and wholeheartedly support RIA’s dedication to facilitating interactions between MPs and crucial sites like BCIMO.”