Construction has officially begun on the DRIIVe rail innovation centre in Derbyshire, a pioneering facility dedicated to railway research, development, and skills training. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Located near the historic Barrow Hill Roundhouse outside Chesterfield, the centre is designed to position Derbyshire as a leading force in the UK’s rail innovation landscape.

DRIIVe Rail Innovation Centre in Derbyshire Set to Transform UK Rail R&D and Training
Source, photo: www.railwaygazette.com

Scheduled for completion in 2026, the centre will house digital laboratories, classrooms, commercial workshops, and specialist research infrastructure.

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It will offer training pathways from technical certifications to postgraduate studies while serving as a hub for supply chain companies working with cutting-edge railway technologies.

DRIIVe Rail Innovation Centre in Derbyshire to Drive Regional Collaboration

The DRIIVe project is part of the Staveley Town Deal and receives joint funding from Chesterfield Borough Council and the East Midlands Combined County Authority. The council leads the initiative in collaboration with the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society and construction partner Stepnell.

Mervyn Allcock, Manager of the Barrow Hill Roundhouse and board member of the Staveley Town Deal, noted the rising interest. “The centre’s mix of historical significance and modern R&D capability is already attracting attention from the rail sector,” he said.

How the DRIIVe Rail Innovation Centre in Derbyshire Will Shape the Future Workforce?

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, highlighted the broader economic and educational impact. “The DRIIVe rail innovation centre in Derbyshire will create new job opportunities, inspire young talent, and strengthen Chesterfield’s role as a centre for rail excellence,” she stated.

As a platform for innovation, training, and collaboration, the DRIIVe centre aims to redefine how the UK approaches railway development and workforce readiness.

Source, photo: www.railwaygazette.com

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