Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

With the UK Government publishing its much anticipated Railways Bill, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker analyse what the legislation says about Labour's intentions for industry reforms and anticipate where controversy will flourish [1:10].  Christian meets Olympic and World championship legend Chris Boardman CBE at the launch of a pamphlet promoting access to cycling for people in deprived communities [25:40].  In his final th...

Christian speaks to Transport for Wales Chief Executive Officer James Price about the transformation of rail services across the nation currently underway, with particular focus on the South Wales Metro [1:30].  With possible UK autonomous vehicle trials in the news, Christian visits the Smart Mobility Living Lab and hears about its work from Beata Szoboszlai, TRL's Head of Innovation Partnerships [30:40].  In his final thought fro...

Our launch episode for Season 4 includes interviews with Andrew Gilligan on why he believes the money sought for Northern Powerhouse Rail could be better invested in other railway enhancements for the North of England [3:02] and with Graeme Bickerdike who is campaigning to save the disused Queensbury rail tunnel in Yorkshire as a cycling commuter and tourism route [28:56].  Christian also asks why the British Transport Police has a...

In our Season 3 finale, Christian talks at length with the UK Minister of State for Transport and Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, about the eagerly anticipated Railways Bill which will implement the Labour Government's plans for Great British Railways.  Their conversation covers crucial issues such the timing of the Bill, fares reform, investment, open access, capacity allocation between operators and the HS2 re...

Christian speaks to 'We Own It' Founder and Director Cat Hobbs at the parliamentary launch of the report 'Passengers not profit: a vision for the Railways Bill' [1:30].  In Toronto, Canada, Christian meets cycling campaigner Albert Koehl to hear about the culture war between the municipality and the Ontario provincial government over bike lanes [13:25].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian shares a listener's ...

In her new book 'Off the Rails: the Inside Story of HS2', Sally Gimson meets with the politicians, engineers and ordinary people affected by the failure of HS2. Travelling from demolished council estates in Camden to ghost towns along the now cancelled northern branch, Off the Rails provides a forensic examination of how a vital social project imploded.

Christian discusses in depth with the author the insights gained from her resea...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker pick up on some of the issues around driverless cars from the visit to Bosch in Stuttgart covered in episode 3/18 [1:30].  With the UK's Rail200 celebrations in full swing, our hosts discuss 'The Greatest Gathering' in Derby [7:12] and Mark reports back from an unforgettable journey to the event on 'The Belmond British Pullman' [10:32].  Looking to the future prospects for rail in the UK, Chri...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine just which transport schemes ended up being funded by the UK Department for Transport through the Spending Review - and which ones didn't [1:20].  Ever interested in the issue of driverless cars, Christian reports back from a visit to Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany, who are developing software for the driver aids that potentially pave the way for this technology [16:25].  One year on from...

We have two great interviews in this episode.  Christian visits the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, UK, and hears from Tom Ingall about the 'Reunification' project for this leading heritage operator [01:48].  Christian then talks to Caroline Seton about London's Forest e-bike hiring and sharing company and its hopes to expand across the capital [21:07].  In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian finds that ...

In the midst of a flurry of UK Government transport funding and policy announcements, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine: the current status of Britain's high speed railway project, HS2 [2:25]; just how realistic are expectations for driverless cars [14:40]; and which schemes are so far known to be on the receiving end of Ministers' chequebooks [23:30].  Christian also reflects on the progress of his original idea to pe...

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the return to public ownership of England's South Western Railway [2:09], discuss how Belgium's approach to road space and safety could promote cycling in the UK [11:25], link the lawlessness of parking on England's pavements with Robert Jenrick MP's highlighting of fare evasion [20:10] and update listeners on the investigations into the Heathrow Airport power failure [35:55].

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Christian experiences in person London's brand new Silvertown Tunnel and the mandatory cycle shuttle bus [2:18]; elaborates on striking new figures for the construction costs of HS2 [09:55]; releases a narrative of his book 'Liberation Line' by engaging AI bots [19:35} and welcomes proposals to lower the age requirement for train drivers in Great Britain [43:40].

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One of the most exciting transport projects anywhere in the UK is the South Wales Metro which is now fully taking shape and promises to transform travel in and around the Cardiff Capital Region.  In an extended interview, Christian hears from the person widely acknowledged as the visionary behind this metamorphosis - Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University - about the commitment and determination nee...

Christian reports back to listeners on the latest leg of his worldwide exploration of high speed rail networks, this time with the extraordinary progress made in the People's Republic of China [1:22].  Mark Walker and Christian discuss the impact of and explanations for the recent total shutdown of London's Heathrow Airport as a result of a fire in the electricity distribution network [22:41].  In his final thought from the departu...

In an episode all about roads and cars, Christian and Mark Walker discuss the troubles facing electric vehicle giant Tesla as the company's reputation becomes entwined with that of its leader, Elon Musk [1:40].  Christian interviews Transport Action Network founder and director Chris Todd on why the UK Government should cancel the vastly expensive Lower Thames Crossing road and look at public transport alternatives instead [13:00]....

Christian brings listeners the second part of his report on rail developments in India with particular reference to the city of Mumbai [2:15]; Mark Walker and Christian discuss the growing pressure for a decision on how to replace HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe [19:03]; in a tribute from the departure lounge, Christian reflects on the life and work of Professor Rod Smith [26:09].

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Christian reports live from India in the first part of his latest exploration of the country's vast and diverse railway system [1:23].  The new UK Government's consultation on establishing its own version of 'Great British Railways' is discussed by Christian and Mark Walker [6:53].  Richard Dilks - Chief Executive of CoMoUK - speaks to Christian about the opportunities for and challenges facing shared transport and those who wish t...

Christian and Mark analyse the speech from UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP and her proposals on London Heathrow Airport, the Lower Thames Crossing and East West Railway [1:42].  Christian interviews Abi Taylor and Joe Thomas on the campaign for family-friendly trains in Great Britain [17:38] and Steve Montgomery, Managing Director of First Rail, on his company's ambitions to run more open access services [34:35].  I...

Christian interviews Alan Hyde from 'Railway 200' on the exciting programme of celebrations marking the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and of the industry which changed not just the UK but the whole world [1:28].  Co-presenter Mark Walker discusses with Christian the big changes underway in England's bus industry with completion of Manchester's franchised Bee Network and a new Bus Services Bill being introduce...