Ten years of the pteg Support Unit: Part one
pteg has been going for far longer than ten years, but it was a decade ago when the PTEs decided that to work more effectively as a network, and to punch their weight in Whitehall they needed a Support Unit to bring greater focus. I have been there throughout (first as Assistant Director and then […]
Ten years of the pteg Support Unit: Part two
In the second of a series of three blog posts, pteg Support Unit Director Jonathan Bray continues his look back over ten years of the pteg Support Unit. Ten years of the pteg Support Unit: The unstoppable force of devolution Devolution has seen Merseyrail Electrics transform into one of the best performing rail networks in the […]
Ten years of the pteg Support Unit: Part three
In the last of a series of three blog posts, pteg Support Unit Director Jonathan Bray concludes his look back over ten years of the pteg Support Unit. Ten years of pteg: the way we work and the way cities will work in the future Focus on what transport does for people, economies, cities, the […]
Three global transport trends that should reshape our cities
Here are three global transport trends that should be reshaping urban policy in Britain. They already are in the world’s most dynamic cities in developed countries. They are transport trends – but they are about far more than that. Cities need to be smart to thrive. They need to be dynamic, enjoyable, attractive places where […]
Wales – time for a leap forward on transport?
Wales is positioning itself as a small country that can do great green things Scotland got a comprehensive deal on transport powers as part of devolution and has forged ahead with some confidence – particularly on rail. The state of play on devolution of transport powers in Wales is less clear cut and remains complex […]
The Spending Review: Everything to play for
The last spending review gave local transport spending outside London a good hiding. It lacked the political clout and built-in funding commitments that applied to London and national rail – the evidence base for the benefits of local transport spending also had too many gaps. Worse for the big regional conurbations was that by accident […]
The biggest bargain in transport policy?
The urban bus – a highly effective social and transport policy[/caption] Is the urban bus the biggest bargain in transport policy? There’s certainly a strong case to be made – as our new report (‘The Case for the Urban Bus – The Economic and Social Value of Bus Networks in the Metropolitan Areas’) shows. The […]
Five things I learnt as a three term member of Network Rail
I was one of the original Network Rail members and have served three terms in total (though I haven’t been a member throughout NR’s existance). My Membership comes to an end on the 23rd November This is what I have learned 1. It’s a tough job but a worthwhile one – and not – […]
Party conferences 2012 – round-up
After the party conference bubble, a clearer picture of each party’s transport policies emerges Autumn Party conferences can be a bit of a blur – mini-political Glastonburys for politicians and the travelling roadshow of journalists and lobbyists. A bubble of meetings, speeches and talk. But when you finally get on the train back to the […]
The 'Dockers' Umbrella' remembered
When, near the turn of the last century, the riverfronts of Glasgow and Liverpool were a seething mass of industry and commerce, the resulting clogged streets led to some bold moves above and below ground to beat the jams. In Glasgow it led to the construction of what was then only the third underground railway […]