An updated version of this article appears in my book (from 14 Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro" So please head over and take a look.... The costs and estimates (let alone the scope) for projects like HS2, etc keep changing; and we are yet to see what the forward programme for rail enhancements … Continue reading The UK rail industry, Wales, HS2, Trans Pennine Upgrade, Network Rail spend, etc…
Category: electrification
No rail devolution? No Swansea Bay Metro!
I cover a little more about Swansea Bay Metro and the rail industry in Wales in my book (from late Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro" So please head over and take a look.... Without fundamental constitutional reform, a Swansea Bay Metro will likely never happen. A version of this blog appeared in the … Continue reading No rail devolution? No Swansea Bay Metro!
Pride and the Global Centre of Rail Excellence
Earlier this week (on Tuesday 29th November 2023) I took a trip up to the top of the Dulais Valley, Onllwyn and the site of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence. My previous trip had been over five years earlier with MP Christina Rees and colleague Katie Allister to see what was then, Celtic Energy’s … Continue reading Pride and the Global Centre of Rail Excellence
The butchering of HS2, Wales and the NWML…
I address the issue of rail funding in Wales in a little more detail in my book (from late Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro" So please head over and take a look.... So, this week, Rishi Sunak, No 10 and HMT announced “Network North”[i]. This in effect killed HS2 and included in the … Continue reading The butchering of HS2, Wales and the NWML…
Metro Hopes for 2023…
I include an update of the future of Metros in Wales in my book (from late Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro". So please head over and take a look.... I’m normally pretty positive and optimistic…and have talked and written about Metros in Wales in such a manner, even with some small measure of … Continue reading Metro Hopes for 2023…
Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022
A summary of this blog appeared in the Business Section of the Western Mail in March 2022 There has been some recent coverage in the media and some social media chatter about Wales’ Metro projects, their status and what they might deliver. Given my involvement in all of them – Cardiff/South Wales since 2010 and … Continue reading Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022
South Wales Metro & Devolution
This is the full version of the article that appeared in the December 2021 edition of Rail Technology Magazine and the February 2022 edition of Rail Professional. As many will know, I have been involved in the South Wales Metro project in various roles since my first report on the subject, “A Metro for Wales … Continue reading South Wales Metro & Devolution
Better rail services for NE Wales
I have not written or blogged specifically on north east Wales. So, let me make up for that oversight and address some real issues and opportunities, especially given the commitment to extend HS2 to Crewe as part of phase 2a. A relativity small capital investment of £200-300M will enable significant economic and environmental benefits through … Continue reading Better rail services for NE Wales
A Public Transport Grid for the M4 Corridor…
This is a 2020 blog! I update some of the details and my thinking in my 2024 book "How to build a Metro" and especially the chapters on cars (especially the evidence of the impact of building more road capacity and induced demand), transit-oriented development and the section on public transport measures needed on the … Continue reading A Public Transport Grid for the M4 Corridor…
Wales and HS2…
The issue of the long-term underfunding of rail infrastructure in Wales by UK Government & its approach to HS2 goes right to the heart of all that is wrong with the constitutional relationship between Cardiff Bay & Westminster Postscript August 2020....and updated Nov 2020.. Another post script. Trying to work out out what has been … Continue reading Wales and HS2…
No new M4…so what instead?
This is a 2019 blog! I update some of the details and my thinking in my 2024 book "How to build a Metro" and especially the chapters on cars (especially the evidence of the impact of building more road capacity and induced demand), transit-oriented development and the section on public transport measures needed on the … Continue reading No new M4…so what instead?
Climate Change, Brexit and The Economy (…and Wales)
I originally wrote this piece in May 2019...so yes events (esp #brexit) have moved on, but I still stand by the substance of my assertions and analysis. If anything the #climateemergency is even more pressing....but given the vacuum of principled political leadership, seemingly less likely to be addressed! I have also covered some of the … Continue reading Climate Change, Brexit and The Economy (…and Wales)
Swansea Bay Metro & City Deal
This is the transcript of the speech I gave at a Policy Form Wales, Swansea Bay City Deal Conference in April 2019 Thank you, Suzy. I spent about a week, preparing a brilliant presentation for you, really top quality, but it’s not working so you can’t see it! That’s just the way it goes, so … Continue reading Swansea Bay Metro & City Deal
Wales’ Rail Network – The Case for Investment
This short article accompanies the publication of my "Case for Investment" work for Welsh Government in respect of Wales' rail network. It also appeared in the Western Mail on December 12th 2018 "Wales will be getting new trains, but they’ll operate on a “2ndGear Railway” In May this year the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and … Continue reading Wales’ Rail Network – The Case for Investment
Swansea Bay Metro (Dec 2018)….
PS - for a more up to date analysis please read this blog, or this section in my 2024 book, "How to build a Metro" My original musings re a Swansea Bay Metro in 2017 have been superseded by more formal work with Welsh Government and Swansea Bay local authorities & stakeholders through 2018 and … Continue reading Swansea Bay Metro (Dec 2018)….