Without fundamental constitutional reform, a Swansea Bay Metro will likely never happen. A version of this blog appeared in the business section of Business News Wales / Western Mail on January 5th 2024. I want here to summarise its initial concept development, more recent scheme and business case development and the very real obstacles to … Continue reading No rail devolution? No Swansea Bay Metro!
Category: West Wales
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
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…
A Metro in North West Wales…?
In June 2018, after a lengthy and innovative procurement process, Transport for Wales (TfW) awarded the Wales & Borders franchise for 2018-2033 to Keolis Amey. Much is promised – not least the South Wales Metro - and across Wales we can expect to see new trains, additional services, upgraded stations and a significant increase in … Continue reading A Metro in North West 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
A Swansea Bay Parkway… …but where and why?
This is a more comprehensive version of the story that appeared in the Western Mail on 6th February PS August 2020 - for an update on proposals and work in Swansea Bay and West Wales pls see my February 2022 update on Metro in Wales There has been a lot discussion of late about a … Continue reading A Swansea Bay Parkway… …but where and why?
Mark Barry 