2/21 Transport choices in the UK General Election and 1944 Normandy rail heroes

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the controversies and challenges at London's Euston station [01:30], ask just how much fun the BBC's 'Nightsleeper' drama is [17:08], debate the pros and cons of the Lime bike hire scheme and other micro-mobility technologies [17:18] and consider whether the Lower Thames Crossing is doomed [27:19].

Launching Season 3, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker report from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on the keynote address by UK Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh MP [3:48]. Christian analyses a meeting discussing driverless cars addressed by Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP [13:50} and talks about his own presentation on transport challenges for the Labour Government given at the Public Transport Reception hosted by the Campaign for Better Transport and sponsored by Porterbrook [18:09]. Finally, Christian celebrates London Mayor Sadiq Khan's adoption of his own longstanding proposal for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street [28:00].

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker bring listeners right up to date with progress of the new UK Labour Government's rapid legislation to allow franchised passenger train operations to return to state control [01:45].  Mark discusses with Christian his recent Guardian article calling for the abandonment of all England's major road building schemes [23:22].  Finally, Christian previews the reissue of his book 'Fire and Steam' to mark the bicentenary of the world's first railway [33:14].

Christian looks skyward with HACAN Policy Director Paul Beckford to turn the spotlight on UK Airspace Modernisation and what this will mean for both passengers and residents living under the flightpaths [2:07].  Next, it's a discussion with TransPennine Express Managing Director Chris Jackson about restoring train service frequency and a host of innovations coming down the track [18:01].  Finally, Christian reflects on the agreement between the UK Government and trades union ASLEF which should see an end to the long-running train drivers' pay dispute in England [31:22].

In our first ever episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Cogitamus and Rail Forum #allchangerail seminar, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker examine the outcome of the UK General Election and the appointments of Labour's Transport Ministers [1:08] along with publication of the new Government's extensive transport legislative programme in the King's Speech [06:00].  We then have a featured and extensive interview with Martin Tugwell - Chief Executive of Transport for the North - who discusses with Christian the agenda for investment across all modes in northern England [16:42].

Christian and Mark Walker look at the main UK parties' General Election manifesto pledges on transport with Labour's hot off the press [1:35]. Nautilus International General Secretary Mark Dickinson speaks to Christian about his union's manifesto for a thriving merchant shipping industry in the UK [15:17]. Christian recounts his cycling tour of the Normandy liberation sites raising funds for veterans' charity SSAFA [48:29].

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the transport policy choices facing the UK political parties contending to win the 2024 General Election [1:25].  Mark interviews Christian about his latest book - The Liberation Line - telling the heroic story of how the reconstruction of the railways in France after D-Day from June 1944 hastened the Allied victory over Nazi Germany [20:22].  Finally, Christian reflects on an early suggestion of possible disagreement between a possible Labour Government and the Mayor of London on the extent of transport devolution [35:00].

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker visit the impressive HS2 station and viaduct construction sites in central Birmingham to see how the project is transforming the city's connectivity and skyline [1:30].  They also discuss the latest twists in the UK's roadspace culture wars including the insane conspiracy theories around '15-minute cities' [20:48].  Finally, Christian asks whether the classic car business is receiving disproportionate attention from the UK Department for Transport [31:02].

Taking a brief pause between media interviews on the Labour Party's freshly published plan for railways in Great Britain, Christian discusses with Mark Walker the strategy, proposals, details and still unanswered questions revealed in the Shadow Transport Secretary's paper [1:09].  Christian and Mark then examine the progress by the House of Commons Transport Committee in its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Conservative UK Government's draft Rail Reform Bill [28:51].  In his final thought, Christian examines some innovations by rail operators in sustainability....and privacy [34:03].

Christian speaks at length with Steve Norris, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Transport between 1992 and 1996, who was the key Rail Minister serving John Major's Conservative Government in delivering the privatisation of Great Britain's railways and the creation of new industry structures.  While reflecting on the passenger growth which followed the 1993 Railways Act as well as candidly examining the shortcomings which emerged, Steve has much to say about flaws in the rail reform programme being promoted by today's Conservative Government, plus some pointed questions for Labour's alternative [2:30].  With the Labour Party having just published proposals for bus reform across England, Christian looks at what this could mean for cities and regions aspiring to enjoy bus networks more like those taken for granted in London [31:48].