Recommendation 23

We welcome Government funding to support the establishment of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, which is a positive step in decarbonising the rail network. However, we heard evidence that the amount of research and development funding provided by Government for innovation in the rail sector compares unfavourably to other transport sectors. This will need to change if the rail sector is to meet the considerable challenge of decarbonising by 2050. R&D funding can help to catalyse the development of new technologies and support smaller businesses and local economies.