Travelling by planes, cars and trains is set to become safer after one of the largest crash testing centres in the country opened in Norfolk.
Manufacturing firm Mirus Aircraft Seating has launched its state-of-the-art site, M-TEST, which the company said will help it to develop new technologies faster and enable greater innovation.
The centre, located in Hingham, is designed for high-impact testing of automotive, aerospace, motorsport and rail vehicles.
It includes a 30m, bespoke device that can be used for destructive and non-destructive crash test replication, which the firm states uses the most advanced technology available.
Ben McGuire, chief executive at Mirus, said: “The addition of our very own in-house testing facility is a momentous milestone for Mirus and a significant investment into the local economy.
“The £4m plus investment in the Norfolk economy, in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Growing Business Fund, also means we will be recruiting on a large scale within Norfolk and the surrounding region.”
George Freeman, science minister and MP for Mid Norfolk who attended the opening of the site, highlighted the innovative work taking place at the site that is helping to lower carbon emissions.
He said: “The Global Race for Net Zero is creating a huge opportunity for Norfolk to attract investment into our world-leading CleanTech Cluster around the Hethel & Scotto Enterprise Parks, the Norwich Research Park and down the A11 Innovation Corridor.
"Mirus is one of a cluster of businesses using advanced materials, manufacturing and design to develop lightweight low carbon and Net Zero technologies.
"By harnessing the market we can attract billions of private investment into the Green Economy to support high growth Cleantech businesses - of which Norfolk has a high number."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here