TRL was originally established in 1933 by the UK Government as the Road Research Laboratory (RRL) under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and later became the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)[2] in 1972.[3]
With the encouragement of the UK Department of Transport, TRRL was instrumental in promoting cooperation with other European laboratories.[8] In 1989, TRRL's initiative to create a Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories led to its hosting of the inaugural meeting.
It was privatised in 1996,[2][3] though earlier plans in 1994 for a proposed privatisation were criticised at the time,[9] notably by former Transport Minister Barbara Castle.[10][11]
Operations
TRL is based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, with additional offices in Edinburgh and Birmingham.[2][12]
The extensive Crowthorne site has been substantially scaled back, with many of the original buildings disused, creating an opportunity for redevelopment. In 2012, Bracknell Council identified the original site as a strategic area, suitable for a new mini-town of 1,000 homes.[13]
^ abcdefgh"TRL - Our History". Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Commons Select Committee slams TRL privatisation plans". Contract Journal. 24 March 1994. Retrieved 2 May 2010. Plans to privatise the Transport Research Laboratory have been criticised by the Commons Transport Select Committee. The MPs said they could not recommend privatisation of the TRL until there was 'much more convincing evidence that the laboratory's independence and expertise will not thereby be sacrificed'.[permanent dead link]