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NEWS RELEASE
ONE
NEWS EMBARGO
0001 hrs Tuesday 2 May
The
HoldFast Rubber Highway / Defra WRAP Project
Government and Rail Industry Eagerly Awaits
The world’s first all rubber road and rail highway trialsStarts
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The industry preview of the world's first all rubber road and rail highway
is announced for 1st June. The WRAP* funded trial could rejuvenate Beeching's
redundant rail lines and loss making community lines into toll lanes for
private vehicles with dual use for trams or guided buses lanes.
The HoldFast Rubber Highway (HRH) is now undergoing closely monitored
trials at a secret location near Corby. Leading industry figures representing
strategic rail and highway organisations, infrastructure owners and members
of both central and local government have already confirmed their attendance.
This revolutionary platform has the potential to significantly ease road
congestion and make light rail routes feasible and affordable (as Darling
is urging for). Made entirely from recycled rubber, it also presents the
opportunity to solve Britain's waste tyre problem.
The Rubber Highway has been invented and developed by Peter Coates Smith,
who owns HoldFast Level Crossings Limited, an innovative company that
has already reused circa ten million waste tyres in rubber crossing platforms.
The company holds the Network Rail Environment Award, HSBC Rail Supplier
of the Year Award and the Queen's Award for Innovation.
WRAP (The Waste & Resources Action Programme) is funding the trials
following an open call for demonstration trials using UK post consumer
tyres in a range of new applications. An average of 354,000 tyres would
be recycled in every one-mile stretch of this rubber highway.
The HRH platform has been designed to be exceptionally fast to install
on existing or new track beds with significant cost benefits. The cost
of The Rubber Highway is estimated at less than £1.4 million per
mile, a fraction of new road build costs averaging in excess of £20
million per mile.
Coates Smith, believes the Rubber Highway will turn the road versus rail
/ public versus private debate on its head by creating an achievable multi
user solution. “With so many light rail projects under threat, community
lines struggling and axed lines lying disused, there is real need for
new and affordable options to realise much needed infrastructure opportunities.”
The preview day will include a full presentation combined with a visit
to the test track and a live traffic demonstration. More information can
be found at: http://www.rubberhighways.com.
Editors Notes
WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme)
WRAP is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency.
Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled
materials and products and removing the barriers to waste minimisation,
re-use and recycling.
A not-for-profit company, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding
from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland. More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on
http:///www.wrap.org.uk
HoldFast Level Crossings Limited (HoldFast)
HoldFast designs, manufactures and supplies innovative solutions for rail,
road, tram and pedestrian crossing platforms. The core product is the
HoldFast Level Crossing System, proven the world over to dramatically
improve road and rail safety; reduce road and rail maintenance; extend
crossing life span; and reduce road and rail costs and disruption.
HoldFast holds the prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation in recognition
of the improvements in road and rail safety. HoldFast also won the HSBC
Rail Awards and the Network Rail Environment Awards in 2002. More information
can be found at: http://www.railcrossings.co.uk
Press Contact
Email: press@matthewrymer.co.uk
Telephone 01242 609359
Interviews can be arranged via Matthew Rymer on 07786 517 352
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