Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Saturday, 30 December 2023

Cogitamus

• The Chris Stokes Column - September 2023 - Britain’s high infrastructure costs at heart of HS2’s challengesThe fundamental problem with HS2 is that its capital costs are out of control. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are leaning towards the view that, if you can’t afford the hole, stop digging.
• Which of the following is the name of an Amey Scottish road gritterA.Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie . B. Buzz Iceclear . C. Brinestone Ploughboy . D. Credence Clear-Road Survival
• Question 23 - On December 1st, 1955, in which American city did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat on the bus?A. Montgomery, Alabama B. Birmingham, Alabama C. Foley, Alabama D. Guntersville, Alabama
• Question 24 - The Brick Train is a brick sculpture located on the outskirts of which town?A. Derby B. Wolverton C. Crewe D. Darlington
• Cracker Joke - Why did the motorist reverse all the way to the computer shop?... They needed a backup drive !!
• Answers to Questions 22, 23 & 24Question 22 - All of them are Amey Scottish gritters. Question 23 - A. Question 24 - D

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Season 2 - Summer catch-up with awesome HS2 site visit (part 1), air traffic crisis, ULEZ and booking office rowsWe're back! Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker launch Season 2 bringing you up to date with three of the summer's biggest transport stories - air traffic control in crisis [1:49], Greater London's ULEZ extension [5:19] and England's main line rail booking office review [8:58] - including the take on the latter of ASLEF union leader Mick Whelan [13:51]. We then take listeners on the first part of our audio visit to the HS2 high speed rail line construction sites - this time the Colne Valley [19:30]. Christian finally asks what needs to be done to protect the 'turn-up-and-go' railway in Great Britain. [S2. Ep 1]
• Season 2 - Hands-free or speed-free on the roads plus awesome site visit (part 2) as HS2 again under scrutinyIs Christian Wolmar's sceptical view of self-driving vehicles vindicated by the report from the House of Commons Transport Committee [1:59]? Does the new default 20mph speed limit on residential streets in Wales point the way to better road safety or economic ruin [9:50]? Will political choices leave the breathtaking HS2 Old Oak Common station as the terminus of a bizarre Acton to Aston railway [15:37}? Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker set out to answer these questions. [S2. Ep2]
• Season 2 - Is the coming UK General Election the one (at last) to be dominated by transport?As the 2024 UK General Election looms ever closer, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker examine why both the Conservative and Labour Parties are tying themselves in knots over HS2 [2:40] and whether the reform of Greater Manchester's bus network is the precursor to a wave of changes across the country [10:28]. Still with buses, Christian interviews Alex Warner about the 'Great Scenic Bus Competition' which aims to make travel on this mode of transport much more fun [17:44]. Returning to controversial infrastructure schemes, Christian looks into the findings of the inquiry into Edinburgh Trams [30:38]. Finally, Christian asks whether the UK Prime Minister is miscalculating by waging a culture war on behalf of the motorist [36:59]. [S2. Ep3]
• Season 2 - Live from Liverpool! Our ’special’ on the big transport news from the Conservative and Labour Party conferencesIn this special episode recorded in Liverpool focused on the 2023 principal UK political party conferences, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the Conservatives’ announcement on measures designed to protect the interests of motorists [1:10] along with the cancellation of the remaining sections of the HS2 high speed rail line and the diversion of investment funds to Network North [7:55]. We then have an extended interview about the impact of the latter announcement with Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership [14:51]. Christian and Mark then report from Liverpool on Labour’s position in the immediate wake of the conference speech by the Shadow Transport Secretary and her reaffirmation of pledges on bus and rail reform [34:03]. Finally, Christian praises recent improvements to the rail network in the Liverpool City Region [39:23]. [S2. Ep4]