Burchell quits Arriva for energy sector role
David Brown named as successor Chris Burchell Arriva has announced that Chris Burchell, managing director of the group’s UK rail division, will leave his role in October to join energy supplier SSE where he will take on the role of managing director of distribution. He will be succeeded on an interim basis by...
Why are we arguing?
There are extremes on both sides of the face covering debate The only people who have the power to challenge someone not wearing a face covering are the police We seem to have become a nation divided into ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ face coverings, with both sides unwilling to let others make their...
The (transport) times they are a-changin’
Our Whitehall insider imagines what’s going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT When I commented, in not very favourable terms, on Grant Shapps’ decision to set up and chair a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council I suggested that it would need a team of...
The problem with Transforming Cities
Government funding has helped selected urban areas but more will be needed We have seen a lack of value attached to bus services in the scramble to create space in the wake of the pandemic The Department for Transport has awarded substantial funding to some cities under the heading of the Transforming...
It’s time for decisive action on railway costs
Our Whitehall insider imagines what’s going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT One of the things I’m increasingly hearing is that the cost of the railways with the new Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) in place is simply not sustainable. Mind you, that’s hardly rocket...
Planning agenda needs reform, but not like this
Decisions will continue to be made that undermine effective transport solutions Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government The UK planning system is often vilified as obstructing development and reaching inappropriate decisions. The reality is that while there are faults with the system, decisions are made carefully and...
‘One of the silliest things we have ever done’
Our Whitehall insider imagines what’s going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT Would you believe it!? Despite the history of major rail infrastructure projects demonstrating that the vast majority of complex projects are always – I mean, always – delivered late and over budget...
Bus strategy is needed now more than ever
The pandemic experience will require major changes to the draft strategy Transport minister Baroness Vere announced the first national bus strategy last year England’s national bus strategy has long been talked about but has yet to appear. Bus services need a strategy – alongside those for other modes – but the draft...
Pandemic changes transport behaviour
The pandemic’s effects on bus, tram and rail use have been dramatic and will lead to significant changes for passenger transport There are likely to be profound effects on how, when and why people will use passenger transport services The pandemic’s effects on bus, tram and rail use have been dramatic. Traditionally,...
Transport’s role in regenerating high streets
Retailing is changing rapidly – but what is passenger transport’s role? Covid-19 schemes have been opportunist and laudable for walking and cycling but haven’t done much for buses. In Aberdeen, bus services have been barred from the city’s Union Street thoroughfare What we buy and how we buy it is changing rapidly....
‘There is little evidence that we have a strategy’
Our Whitehall insider imagines what’s going on inside the minds of the mandarins at Great Minster House, home of the DfT So lockdown is gradually coming to an end. But the transport industry is struggling to get patronage back to anywhere near pre-lockdown levels, not least because we have the rather curious spectacle...
Achieving better air quality