Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre completes

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to have worked on the state-of-the-art Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, West Midlands, a pivotal regeneration project that will help shape and accelerate innovation within the transport industry, with a particular focus on rail.

Operated by BCIMO, a not-for-profit Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), the £32 million VLRNIC is a research and training hub for developing new technologies in light and heavy rail, focusing on four key areas – challenges and opportunities, future technologies, creating a skilled workforce and empowering the supply chain, as well as providing cutting edge engineering and test facilities.

SGP was appointed by Clegg Construction Ltd from RIBA Stage 4 to design and deliver the 59,747 sqft multi-level multi-purpose centre on the site of the former Dudley Station, as part of a wider regeneration masterplan. The landmark building contains a range of hireable facilities including a rail development and test site, engineering laboratories and equipment, meeting and event spaces including an auditorium suitable for conferences and exhibitions, and serviced offices and meeting rooms. Two rail tracks run parallel from an external marshalling yard, connected to a 2.2km test track for vehicle, system, and infrastructure construction trials.

Explains Byron Magumise, Principal Architect at SGP: “We are excited to have delivered this world-class hub to support the development of rail manufacturing and infrastructure in the UK. We were able to apply technical knowledge and skills gained from SGP’s extensive portfolio of transportation and rail training schemes to deliver this outstanding project, particularly communicating with many engaged stakeholders and co-ordinating a complex construction programme.”

The 1.64 hectare site is situated in a cutting at the foot of Dudley Castle and Castle Hill and close by the Berthold Lubetkin designed Dudley Zoo. The Innovation Centre is a three-storey building, only the top most level of which is visible from the road, and whose public spaces are level with the streetscape and access the new Castle Hill Metro tram stop and public plaza via a new bridge.

The Innovation Centre achieved BREEAM Excellent.