A Government minister has visited a new multi-million pound vehicle test track being built inside a Victorian railway tunnel.
The £12 million Catesby Aerodynamic Research Facility (CARF) has been created inside the 1.7 mile long, perfectly straight disused Victorian railway tunnel,
Minister for Business and Industry Lee Rowley heard how the project – described as a world-class aerodynamic vehicle testing centre – was now in its final stages with contractor Stepnell soon set to put down the last layer of asphalt prior to the first tests going ahead.
The Northamptonshire tunnel – which got £4.2 million of investment from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured through the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership – will be able to test new vehicles in a completely closed environment, away from the eyes of competitors.
The tunnel is said to be more accurate and efficient than a traditional wind tunnel and will give the Ƶ a unique proposition in automotive and race car development, hopefully attracting global interest.
Mr Rowley met representatives of Aero Research Partners (ARP), which instigated the project, and Rugby construction firm Stepnell, which was awarded the design and build contract.
Mr Rowley said: “This new testing facility represents another example of fantastic British construction and ingenuity, turning a long-disused Victorian railway tunnel into a 21st century, state-of-the-art car testing facility here in Northamptonshire.
“It’s been terrific to see first-hand the impressive engineering and workmanship that has gone into getting the new testing facility ready. Best of luck to the Catesby Tunnel as it begins its journey to an exciting future.”
Mark Wakeford, joint managing director of Stepnell, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of such a fantastic and significant project not only for the East Midlands, but also for the worldwide automotive testing industry.
“The project brief was to take a disused 1.7-mile-long railway tunnel and to bring it back to life with a super flat road surface that is capable of testing vehicles in a variety of ways to improve their performance.
“The project has involved refurbishing the Victorian drainage, bat mitigation measures, tunnel preparation works and some hugely challenging concrete slab, concrete planning and asphalt operations to achieve the desired finish.
“Coupled with this, we have delivered the vehicle reception building at the mouth of the tunnel, offices at the site of the old station, access track to the facility, strengthening works to an old railway bridge and connected the project to the road network.
“This project has required very close working with our client, ARP, to deliver a new concept in vehicle testing whilst managing the project risks.
“Stepnell has completed these works with our first-class supply chain who have all stepped up to this exciting if unusual challenge.”
Rob Lewis, director of Aero Research Partners, said: “We are very pleased to take possession of the tunnel from Stepnell who have worked closely with us and led a professional team of great subcontractors to successfully complete the civil engineering and building works.
“The Stepnell team have converted the tunnel from a wet hole in the ground to a pristine running surface that allows sophisticated vehicle testing. ARP will now fit out the building, install telematics in the tunnel and complete testing of our procedures before opening once the wearing course has been laid.”
