Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar

2/5 The strange cases of disappearing flightpaths, bridge arches and bus shelters

In an antidote to intense recent coverage of HS2 and alternative schemes, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker take a look at 5 transport stories from around the UK listeners may have missed [2:20].  Christian reports on what the House of Commons Transport Committee was told about August's air traffic chaos [11:14], how National Highways in England has been persuaded to reverse the infilling of a much-loved railway bridge [16:50] and why so many bus shelters have vanished from the streets of Croydon [23:10].  Finally, Christian asks why we can't have a comprehensive transport strategy for the UK [32:19].

2/4 Live from Liverpool! Our ’special’ on the big transport news from the Conservative and Labour Party conferences

In 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].

2/3 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].

2/2 Hands-free or speed-free on the roads plus awesome site visit (part 2) as HS2 again under scrutiny

Is 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.

2/1 Summer catch-up with awesome HS2 site visit (part 1), air traffic crisis, ULEZ and booking office rows

We'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.

Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 23

SEASON ONE FINALE!  Christian examines in detail the advantages, challenges and myths around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods with Green member of Oxford City Council, Emily Kerr [2:53]; innovative passenger boarding technology at Eurostar is then explained by the company's Gwendoline Cazenave and Gareth Williams with Andrew Budd from iProov [24:50]; and no season finale would be complete without a cliffhanger ending [44:00].  Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker will be back for Season 2 in September.

Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 22

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the furious reaction to suggestions that booking offices at most of England's main line rail stations will be closed and the arguments put forward by advocates of this policy [01:30]; Christian undertakes a cab ride between London Paddington and Oxford with Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood (and some very skilful drivers) in which they discuss a range of issues including the benefits of infrastructure and station investments, incomplete electrification, integration with local buses and the restoration of Nuneham Viaduct [11:47]; finally, Christian examines the agreement at the International Maritime Organisation on measures to reduce carbon emissions from merchant shipping [37:13].

Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 21

EXCLUSIVE!  With industrial disputes continuing to affect most main line passenger rail services in Great Britain, Christian hears from ASLEF train drivers' trades union leader Mick Whelan that there has been no contact from UK Department for Transport Ministers since 6 January [1:04].  Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker also follow-up the item from Episode 20 about the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway [10:12] while the centrepiece of this episode is an extended interview with Howard Smith, Director of Transport for London's Elizabeth Line, who explains the challenges which preceded the breathtaking success of this new railway [13:13].  Finally, Christian puts the newly-released paperback edition of his book 'British Rail: A New History' in historical context [41:33].

Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 20

Podcasting from Cambridge, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the effectiveness of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway [00:00], the challenges of introducing a congestion charge for the City [06:18] and the status of the East West Railway project [14:10].  They then consider the lessons of the 2016 fatal crash on Croydon's tram system following the recent acquittal of the driver on criminal charges [16:45].  Finally, Christian asks what kind of public transport improvements might encourage motorists to leave their cars at home [27:43].

Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 19

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss how the tragic and very serious accident in Odisha should not be used to reinforce obsolete tropes about safety on Indian Railways [00:00]; Christian then returns to the subject of calls for graduated driving licences for young people in the UK by interviewing two trustees of the Under 17 Car Club which strives to enhance the skills and competences of young drivers from the outset [07:42] before reflecting on the transport infrastructure legacy of former Prime Minister (and now former MP) Boris Johnson [35:39].