Blogs on the South Wales Metro (or Cardiff Metro), transport, politics, bees and other stuff…
Some personal reflections/anecdotes on increasing barriers to accessing GP services in Wales, esp the "Call Centrefication" of GPs. As well as frustrations with appointment booking and NHS app functionality. We need better patient-centred services and integrated IT systems to improve healthcare access.
Could Metro prove to be a catalyst for a shift towards transit-orientated development across the Cardiff Capital Region?
The upcoming Welsh election has reignited discussions around the M4 Relief Road. Despite extensive prior analysis, recent international research on induced demand reveals that expanding road capacity leads to increased traffic and does not alleviate congestion. Effective congestion management requires complementary strategies, including enhanced public transport and land-use policies.
In June 2026 I will be helping run the "Metro and Us" event. The key question is to ask what else we need to do, to maximise the impact of the South Wales Metro and especially to enable wider economic development and regeneration. Click the image for more details.
Transport for Wales has launched its Rail investment prospectus, "Today, Tomorrow, Together". This complements a UK Government commitment to a long-term funding programme for Wales rail network. How much new money has actually been committed? As usual the devil is in the detail. Here are my initial thoughts......
A quick brain dump of predictions for 2026...some transport, some politics, some economic... Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Wales has £4bn+ of rail enhancements in development....but where is the formal Wales Rail Enhancement Pipeline and when are Uk Gov going to fully devolve rail powers and funding so we can get on and deliver it out to 2040
The GBR Bill has just been published.... whilst much to applaud re industry rationalisation, sadly, for Wales, its more of the old Encyclopedia Britannica "for Wales, see England" mindset that sees Wales's major issues (control and funding) completely overlooked.
Sodium battery adoption will transform the energy generation and distribution market and radically reduce the cost of domestic electricity (ps maybe!)
Welsh sport, the soul of a nation and a constitutional metaphor
A brief reaction to the UK Governments 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review - and its impact on rail investment in Wales
A summary of the primary rail enhancement schemes needed in Wales to 2040 and justification for £4Bn commitment from UK Government to help deliver them.
A brief summary of the key facets of a successful Metro Vision - with reference to the success of the South Wales Metro
A brief reflection on our 2025 Interrail trip from Cardiff to Casperia and back...
My initial thought in response to the DfTs GBR Feb 2025 consultation and reference to the reality that the UK economy is held back as a result of the relative underinvestment in public transport in the UKs major cities and city regions (outside London) when compared to Europe