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…
Category: southwalesmetro
WG National Development Framework – some quick reflections…
In August this year, Welsh Government (WG) published its National Development Framework[i] (NDF) for consultation (which is designed to complement and provide more spatial priorities for Planning Policy Wales PPW published in 2018[ii]). There is much to applaud – especially the emphasis on Transit Oriented Development (see Policy 1 - Sustainable Urban Growth) and the … Continue reading WG National Development Framework – some quick reflections…
Toilets on Tram-trains?
PS April 2025 - I first wrote this blog in 2018! The issue has reared its head again surrounded by misunderstanding and misinformation. So a few tweaks and a repost! On reflection I should also have covered in my 2024 book on the Metro, "How to build a Metro" There has been quite a bit … Continue reading Toilets on Tram-trains?
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?
South Wales Metro & Lloyd George Avenue
Just re-read an article for the IWA I penned in 2012...which touched on the opportunity to use the South Wales Metro to finally deliver the Lloyd George Avenue (LGA) envisaged by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC) in the 1990s. For me the Metro presents a huge number of urban design, development and regeneration opportunities. … Continue reading South Wales Metro & Lloyd George Avenue
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
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
Wider Impacts of South Wales Metro (article for Bevan Foundation July 2016)
Full text of my article for The Bevan Foundation July 4 2016 http://www.bevanfoundation.org I have spent much of the last six years involved in some way in what has become known as the South Wales (or Cardiff Capital Region) Metro; initially as an advocate from the business community who galvanised and led support around my 2011 … Continue reading Wider Impacts of South Wales Metro (article for Bevan Foundation July 2016)
A road to Cardiff Airport….or regeneration in Pontypridd?
Its back again…talk of a £100M link road from J34 of the M4 south through the Vale of Glamorgan to Cardiff Airport has resurfaced (they’ll be choking on their ginger beers in Pendoylan). Sounds familiar? Well it is. Welsh Government tested and consulted on this option (and others) in a process in 2007/8 as I … Continue reading A road to Cardiff Airport….or regeneration in Pontypridd?