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… →

Cardiff Transport White Paper

As a guide, its only 20~30% of traffic at peak times that causes 100% of congestion. So, we need to direct capital investment to provide sufficiently attractive public transport and active travel options to encourage 20~30% less car journeys - not building more roads to induce more car use. In doing so, we also need … Continue reading Cardiff Transport White Paper →

Wales and HS2…

I have updated this analysis in my 2024 book "How to build a Metro".... 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 … 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? →

New M4 – Yes or No?

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 New M4 – Yes or No? →

Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region….

I include a chapter on TOD in my book (from late Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro". So please head over and take a look.... To note:  This is really a brain dump article (so happy to take challenges) that will be subject to ongoing refinement as I learn more and better arrange my … Continue reading Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region…. →

Wales and the Williams Review

My article in the April 2019 edition of Rail Professional It explores the impact (or not) of Williams and sets out perhaps more important issues facing the Welsh Government in relation to rail policy and network development - particularly the long term underinvestment of the Welsh rail network. Seems the link is broken...so here is … Continue reading Wales and the Williams Review →

A Swansea Bay Parkway… …but where and why?

In October 2024 I published my book, "How to build a Metro" and included a short section on the transport schemes we need in Swansea Bay out to 2040 This is a more comprehensive version of the story that appeared in the Western Mail on 6th February 2019 PS - for an update on proposals … Continue reading A Swansea Bay Parkway… …but where and why? →

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)…. →

South Wales Metro – Critique

I include an update of this analysis in my book (from late Oct 2024), "How to build a Metro". So please head over and take a look.... In November 2018 I was asked to submit evidence to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee at the National Assembly for Wales in respect of the procurement of … Continue reading South Wales Metro – Critique →

Metro & Me, October 2018

In October 2018 we (Cardiff University, Arup, IWA, Capital Law) published a collection of essays related to the South Wales Metro to support the Metro and Me event held in Cardiff on 8th October.  Capital Law did the heavy lifting (especially Lowri Gregory) to plan and manage the day.  Thanks to all the speakers and … Continue reading Metro & Me, October 2018 →

Metro Impact Study, October 2013

Worth referring back to the 2013, Metro Impact Study. It now has a new relevance given we are about to build a #southwalesmetro . Note the older "metro map"...this has gone through a few iterations over the last few years!

What Metro Might Do? October 2016

The attached, "What Metro Might Do?" is the output of an event I hosted at Cardiff University in October 2016. It raised many interesting and challenging questions and ideas in respect of the wider impacts of the South Wales Metro.  Given that Metro procurement was concluded in May 2018 and Keolis Amey selected as partner … Continue reading What Metro Might Do? October 2016 →

Making the Metro work for the Valleys and for Cardiff…

I did a lot of "heavy lifting" re: the South Wales Metro 2010-2016, the burden then passed to Transport for Wales....and now to Keolis/Amey who will work to deliver it by 2023/4.  Perhaps I may allow myself a moment to sketch out some ideas for how the planned network could be enhanced and extended from … Continue reading Making the Metro work for the Valleys and for Cardiff… →