About this book (Status, audience & thanks)
Foreword – Professor Mark Barry, Cardiff University
Metro has been a collective effort
Part One – History, what is a Metro & why I got involved
1 Why did I get involved in the Metro?
Some of the history of public transport scheme development and advocacy relevant to the Cardiff region from the 1930s, the Passenger Transport Authorities (PTAs) of the 1960s (and lack thereof in Wales), through the 1990s and the plans of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, and into the devolution era and the now infamous 2003 Wales and Borders rail franchise awarded by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA).
2 What is a Metro?
A summary of how others define/perceive a Metro – and that there is no single unambiguous definition. Some Metro history and example systems, including perhaps the best UK example in Newcastle re: the Tyne and Wear Metro opened in the 1980s. I conclude with how I define a Metro.
3 Why Metro…and developing a Metro Vision
A summary of the key drivers of Metro development in the Cardiff Region and how that shaped the Metro Vision which enabled the political commitment to proceed in 2015.
Part 2 – My Metro story 2010-2024
4 Developing A Cardiff Capital Region Metro Vision 2010-2013
My personal recollections from 2010 through to 2012, when my first report, “A Metro for Wales’ Capital City Region” was published and the story of the work, advocacy and stakeholder engagement that underpinned it. This led to the Welsh Government commissioned Metro Impact Study in 2013, which was the foundation of all that followed.
5 Developing the Metro with Welsh Government 2013-2016
My personal story and recollections from my time working within Welsh Government as “Metro Development Director and Advisor” from 2013, including all the challenges and civil service bureaucracy, through to the First Minister making the public announcement of the Metro in November 2015, and how I supported and shaped that effort.
6 Buying and building a Metro 2016-2024
Having left Welsh Government, I worked part-time with the MTR Corporation on their bid to build and operate the Metro through 2016/17. It was though Keolis Amey who were announced as the winning bidder in 2018. This chapter sets out my personal views and recollections of the procurement process, the bids and their strengths and shortcomings, and what we still need to do.
7 Cardiff University from 2016
I reflect on my Cardiff University activities and related Metro work from 2017/18 until 2024 re: “Metro and Me”, Welsh Government’s “Case for Investment” (which I led), the Swansa Metro, the Lord Burns Commissions, Cardiff Council’s Transport White Paper & Cardiff Crossrail, the Western Gateway, meetings with ministers and officials, and helping Transport for Wales set up Metro Development Programmes across Wales.
8 Metro maps
A reflection on the role of the many Metro maps I had a hand in producing/shaping and how those advocacy maps differ from the maps passengers need to actually use and navigate a Metro.
9 Metro and the media
I reflect on the perception of Metro in the public eye, and how I cultivated relationships with TV/Radio/Press to publicise the Metro and other transport issues, projects, etc.
Part 3 – Context for the future of Metro
10 The Climate Emergency and car dependency
A quick history of cars, the destruction of our urban public transport networks and the negative impact of Buchanan, Beeching and Moses. This has left us a fractured urban realm, uncosted and unallocated negative externalities and the phenomenon of induced demand, low density sprawl and car dependency. We have to fundamentally change our approach to mobility, to discharge our climate change obligations.
11 Why we need Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
As the late Eric Morecombe might have said, “We are building all the wrong stuff, in all the wrong places”. To complement the “car chapter” a summary of the impact of car-based planning since the 1950s….and the need to embrace densification and transit-oriented development. Can we learn from other places that have embraced TOD and density? Is there a need for a Metro Development Corporation in the Cardiff Capital Region?
12 Transport Planning and Choices
A summary of the key facets of transport planning that I have learnt over the last fifteen years with reference to those more expert in the field who have shaped my thinking. It’s all about choices and reconciling priorities from multiple sources; there are seldom obvious right answers, but plenty of wrong ones.
13 The Rail Industry, Wales and HS2
A brief exploration of how rail funding works in Wales and the UK (including the different types of funding) and the interlinked story of HS2. I explain the Barnett formula and how it, and the rail industry ecosystem, work (or not) re rail funding in Wales?
Part 4 – The Future of Metros in Wales
14 Some policy, context and data that will shape future projects
To support my proposals out to 2040, I include a brief summary of the current policy framework for transport in Wales and Cardiff, including the primary transport objectives. To augment, I also set out a brief summary of the key data sets and other considerations that should shape our thinking when developing future transport schemes in Wales.
15 The priority transport schemes in Wales to 2040
I set out the primary public transport schemes I believe we need to develop and deliver over the next 15-20 years across each of the regions of Wales – with a focus on the Cardiff Capital Region. This is shaped by Welsh Government transport policy and its net zero mode shift obligations and a need to support sustainable economic development and regeneration.
16 How do we make that happen?
A summary exploration of the key issues and challenges (direct and indirect) we must address to deliver this programme: devolution of rail powers and funding, transport and land use planning/TOD, road pricing, governance in the Cardiff Capital Region and a constitutional upgrade for the UK AND Wales.
Part 5 – What does everyone else think?
17 The views of other parties
I have invited a number of key individuals – politicians, civil servants, consultants, business leaders, press – who were, and still are in some cases, pivotal to the Metro project, to briefly share their views and recollections. More contributions are welcome.
Appendices
Example emails, correspondence, etc
I have included some selected background data, correspondence, emails and briefing notes from over the last 25 years.
Glossary
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables
Resources
I have included links to other websites, files, videos than may provide useful data and/or information. I will add to this over time…