Simply put re the 2026 Budget and Rail in Wales.....Devolution, My Arse!
Devolution, My Arse – A quick Budget 2026 post re: rail in Wales
Simply put re the 2026 Budget and Rail in Wales.....Devolution, My Arse!
Category: UK Government
Wales Rail Enhancement Priorities for UK Government, October 2026.
A copy of my letter to UK Government and Welsh Government Minister re my view of Wales rail enhancement priorities to 2030/31
Hey, Andy, time to devolve rail to Wales!
Time for UK Government and PM elect, Andy Burnham, to devolve rail powers and funding to Welsh Government. With reference to the latest Senedd commissioned research on rail enhancement funding in Wales which exposes the systemic underfunding by UK Gov that can be counted in £Bns!
A Welsh Rail Enhancements Pipeline…
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
GB Rail Bill: for Wales, see England!
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.
Post CSR, Rail Investment and Wales (updated!)
A brief reaction to the UK Governments 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review - and its impact on rail investment in Wales
The CSR, Wales & rail investment
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.
The UK Govs GBR Consultation – my initial thoughts…
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
Welsh Rail Funding – Ministerial Correspondence December 2024
My December 2024 letter to Transport Minister Heidi Alexander re: lack of UK Government rail enhancement investment in Wales.
Cardiff West Junction…
I cover many of the issues raised below and wider schemes Wales, in my book "How to build a Metro" This is a copy of an email I sent to UK and WG Ministers in July 2024 on the subject of "Cardiff West Junction" - a piece of essential rail infrastructure in Cardiff which has … Continue reading Cardiff West Junction…
Cardiff Parkway…
July 2024 I cover some of these issues and wider opportunities re Metro in the Cardiff Capital Region in my book, "How to build a Metro", published on October 2024. This station should have happened already! PS Autumn/Summer 2025 - Planning issues removed and UK Gov via CSR have committed some funds (not enough yet) … Continue reading Cardiff Parkway…
Welsh Independence…no, not like North Korea (or even Brexit!)
Independence - No not like North Korea, or Brexit for that matter... I think the debate on independence in Wales, and constitutional reform more broadly, is more often than not confused because many, even most of us, are not clear what we mean by independence; and those opposed to the idea often equate it with the most … Continue reading Welsh Independence…no, not like North Korea (or even Brexit!)
Metro, subsidies & Cardiff… Some tough choices and compromises?
PS November 2024. I covered and updated some of these details in my book, "How to build a Metro". Take a look! PS Feb 2025: I published a blog "My suggestions for WG and TfW Board" in Feb 2025, which covers some of the points set out below Despite the naysaying and the covid induced … Continue reading Metro, subsidies & Cardiff… Some tough choices and compromises?
There must be an election coming up…
On February 13th, 2024, Sarah Atherton MP published a piece in the Wrexham Leader criticising a number of Welsh Government decisions and/or implications thereof of as regards transport. 'Plan for increased use of public transport is fundamentally flawed' | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk) Whilst I have no problem with an honest and reasoned critique, most of … Continue reading There must be an election coming up…
Wales, Metro, TOD & Devolution…
To support my presentation at a Wales Week in London event on the South Wales Metro on 27th February, I have penned a few words about the Cardiff Capital Region Metro. It also appeared in a shorter form in Transport Times on February 13th, 2024. You can also download the presentation I used here PS I … Continue reading Wales, Metro, TOD & Devolution…