Siemens Rail Technology Centre in Chippenham, UK, Officially Begins Operations

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 6, Siemens Mobility officially opened its Rail Technology and Innovation Centre in Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. The project represents an investment of approximately £100 million. The new facility is located at South Point Business Park, covers an area of about 19,300 square meters, and can accommodate approximately 800 employees. The centre will undertake the research and development, testing, and manufacturing of railway signalling and control systems, replacing the adjacent existing production facility. In addition to supplying UK railway projects, its products will also serve international markets.

The new centre is positioned as Siemens' global centre of expertise for railway signalling and control systems, primarily manufacturing and developing railway infrastructure equipment such as computer-based interlocking systems and the European Train Control System (ETCS). Computer-based interlocking systems are responsible for controlling the logical relationships between railway signals, points, and train routes to prevent conflicting routes from being set; the European Train Control System monitors train speed and movement authorities through information exchange between trackside and onboard equipment. Together, the two types of systems form the railway signalling control and train operation safety assurance framework.

The relocation involves all 800 local employees from the existing facility. Siemens has completed the transfer of production equipment and personnel to the new site without interrupting production. According to Siemens, approximately 40% of products from the Chippenham plant are exported overseas. After the new centre is operational, it will continue to supply signalling equipment for UK and international railway projects and expand its research, development, testing, and manufacturing capabilities for digital railway technologies.

Construction of the new facility began in 2025. It was designed to the BREEAM "Excellent" standard, features energy-efficient office areas and production spaces, and has achieved a 10% net gain in site biodiversity through measures such as planting native species. While retaining the existing manufacturing operations, the new centre adds research, development, and engineering collaboration spaces, providing site conditions for the expansion of production for products such as computer-based interlocking equipment and the European Train Control System.

Chippenham is an important industrial base for railway signalling equipment manufacturing in the UK. The local railway technology business dates back to 1897, and the original facility was formerly the headquarters of Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company. Siemens' new centre is part of its approximately £360 million investment programme in the UK, which also includes an investment of approximately £240 million in the Goole Rail Village.