I shared some Metro themed Hopes and Moans in two related blogs yesterday. Here I want to quickly share some broader political, economic and environmental hopes (mostly naïve I suspect) that I hold for 2023 and beyond (with links and references to some of my blogs over the last five years). I really hope/expect that … Continue reading Political, Economic & Environmental Hopes for 2023…
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Metro Hopes for 2023…
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 critique. For example, in these blogs from 2022: Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022 Do you believe in Metro? and these earlier papers from 2018 (Which events have overtaken somewhat): My … Continue reading Metro Hopes for 2023…
Metro Moans for 2023…
I’m normally pretty positive and optimistic…and have talked and written at length about Metros in Wales in such a manner, even with some small measure of critique. For example, in these blogs from 2022: Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022 Do you believe in Metro? and these earlier papers from 2018 (which events have overtaken … Continue reading Metro Moans for 2023…
To Rome and back by train…
We have just arrived back from a 10-day return trip to Rome by train via Paris, Geneva, Strasbourg and Milan with overnight stops in Basel and Lyon. Apart from the salami incident in Geneva (see later) and a bus-rail replacement on the Geneva-Lyon section the same day, it all worked pretty well. I also learned … Continue reading To Rome and back by train…
Sex, gender, equality and compromises…
This blog is a departure for me, prompted by the recent phenomenon of the inability of some politicians to answer an apparently simple question, “What is a woman?”; a question that for years I never expected would one day generate so much and often ill-considered, debate. It’s also a question that seems to me, is … Continue reading Sex, gender, equality and compromises…
200 to 1: English Rail Investment V Wales Rail Investment !
As a kind of addendum to my blog earlier re: my parents trip to Taffs Well depot to see the CVL Transformation work in progress…I think I’d also like to repeat a more serious point to UK Government. You can’t level up with words or hand waving rhetoric…and a 200:1 ratio between UK Government's rail … Continue reading 200 to 1: English Rail Investment V Wales Rail Investment !
Do you believe in Metro?
In January 2021 a headline appeared in the Western Mail[i], attributed to me, “South Wales Metro hampered by public disbelief as expert claims 'even my mother doesn't believe it”. As a part time advisor to Transport for Wales, I am sure the headline caused some consternation in TfW as well as Welsh Government. The very … Continue reading Do you believe in Metro?
North-South Rail(& bus) in Wales!
There has and continues to be much debate and discussion re: strategic north south connectivity in Wales; road, rail and air. It is a bottomless pit of views, discussion and argument…often driven more by emotion and sentiment rather than hard data. So perhaps I can offer a few words (and I will update this brief … Continue reading North-South Rail(& bus) in Wales!
Wales, Zen and The Art of Independence…
Whilst a student in Manchester in the 1980s, studying the Philosophy of Science (as part of my Physics degree) I read Robert Pirsig’s famous work, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. I’ll probably summarise this very poorly, but in his book, Pirsig explored, two world views which he manifests in his characters. One world view … Continue reading Wales, Zen and The Art of Independence…
The Rail White Paper – some quick reflections…
I haven't had time to fully digest the UK Gov Rail White Paper...but I thought a few bullets might help summarise my initial response/thoughts (and I will keep updating this): Here's the White Paper for ref: Great British Railways: Williams-Shapps plan for rail - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) To start, we should acknowledge, that most of the … Continue reading The Rail White Paper – some quick reflections…
Climate Change, Cars & Challenges
In the last three months I have presented at and/or been on panels to discuss transport, covid, the climate emergency and cars. Earlier in March 2021 the Rail Vision for the Cardiff Capital Region, which I helped prepare, was published; this follows Cardiff Council’s Transport White Paper in February 2020 (which I also helped prepare). … Continue reading Climate Change, Cars & Challenges
A Public Transport Grid for the M4 Corridor…
In March 2020, I submitted a paper to the South East Wales Transport Commission to consider in their deliberations over the M4. This essentially is that paper (with a few minor updates and reflections) which draws much from my blog “No new M4… so what instead” [i] from Summer 2019. There is nothing in here … Continue reading A Public Transport Grid for the M4 Corridor…
Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region #2
Last year I published a blog on Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region. This provoked a lot of discussion and some feedback from me in subsequent blogs. To bring some shape to the debate, the Design Commission for Wales working with me, Cardiff University, Tirion Homes, Community Housing Cymru, Cardiff Capital Region and … Continue reading Transit Oriented Development in the Cardiff Capital Region #2
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
A Cardiff Crossrail…
This blog first published in 2019 to support the Cardiff Council Transport White Paper... PS Jan 2023 - Worth looking at #1 in this blog re: pragmatic phasing of Cardiff Crossrail...A few more Jan 2023 PSs below as well... Cardiff Council have just announced a key component in their developing transport vision - A Cardiff … Continue reading A Cardiff Crossrail…
Mark Barry 