Rail electrification – a personal view
The UK Government’s announcement to scrap plans for rail electrification between Swansea and Cardiff has been met with widespread dismay and condemnation.
Having met government ministers and officials to present the original case for electrification some years ago, I was very disappointed by the U-turn. The economic case is no different now than it was then, although clearly the huge overspend on other parts of the UK-wide electrification project has contributed to the rethink.
South West Wales has struggled with its peripheral location and any reduction in travel time is a real benefit. The switch from diesel would have major environmental benefits and be much more energy efficient; the trains would have more modern facilities and greater safety measures. It felt like we were going to be a part of a new UK rail infrastructure, squarely on the map and fit for the future.
In the last few years I’ve travelled by rail in Europe which was all electrified with modern, energy-efficient trains and heavily used by the public. A modern economy requires not just digital connectivity but also the most efficient, clean and accessible rail network. The announcement felt like a real kick in the teeth for our city.
City of Culture – what next?
We’ve been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2021 – along with Paisley; Sunderland; Stoke and Coventry.
We’re expecting feedback from the DCMS next week and we’re working with partners and funders to nail down the core structure and details required for the final bid on September 29.
The format has changed since our previous bid, with the emphasis on confirming the partnerships, funding, programme content, venues and social, economic and tourism impacts.
The DCMS team and panel members will visit Swansea and our team will travel to Hull in December to present our final bid – before a recommendation is put to Ministers. The announcement will be made shortly after that.
The city will be dressed with banners, posters, window dressings etc and events will engage the community. Our partners will be working on the programme details and we welcome any support you can offer to raise engagement among groups and communities that you work with and represent. Congratulations to Tracey McNulty and her staff along with all the councillors, officers and partners for getting us onto this shortlist. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #Swansea2021
Public Service Board
Last Tuesday I joined 40 officers and councillors from across Swansea’s public services to identify where we might work together for a better Swansea. The Swansea Public Services Board event was the last in a series of workshops held with citizens, the community and voluntary sectors and public service leaders. We identified trends that will shape Swansea’s future and areas where we can work together to overcome challenges and make the most of opportunities.
Topics discussed included celebrating pride and belonging, developing social capital and tackling climate change. These will be used alongside evidence from the Local Assessment of Well-being to develop Local Well-being Objectives for Swansea.
There will be opportunities to feed into the development of the Local Well-being Plan in the summer before consultation in the autumn.
Director of Resources
I’m delighted Sarah Caulkin, our Chief Transformation Officer, has been appointed interim Director of Resources following competitive interviews. Sarah’s been instrumental in progressing the transformation programme and helping us to plan our future council. With digital transformation, regional collaboration and financial challenges on the horizon this will be a busy and exciting time for us all.
Eid in the Park
Thanks to Riaz Hassan and all the team for organising this year’s Eid in the Park event, which attracted more than 3,000 people. These events promote community cohesion and cultural awareness and lots of people gave their time to make it a success.
Awards
Congratulations to our Corporate Building and Property Services team for winning the Integration & Collaborative Working Award 2017 at the Constructing Excellence Wales (CEW) awards. We’ll be going forward to the National event in November. Let’s hope we win that one too!
Our parks’ staff work has been recognised by Keep Wales Tidy. Victoria Park, Parc Llewelyn, Cwmdonkin Park, Clyne Gardens, Bynmill Park and Singleton Botanical and Ornamental Gardens were all awarded Green Flags. The organisers tweeted this week: “Amazing work by all the team down at Swansea Council – your parks are a pleasure and a joy to visit”
Last week I mentioned the Swansea Life Awards, including the winning teams from Parks Operations and Development and Outreach for the work at Clyne Gardens – here’s a photo of them with their award. Well done.
Farewell
Dr Julie Sheppard, Head of the Education Strategic Planning & Improvement Group, is retiring at the end of the month after 14 years. Julie came to Swansea following a successful career in the private sector bringing with her years of international experience. I’d like to thank Julie for all her work and wish her well in her retirement.
Scrapping electrification to Swansea, plus ending the tolls on the Severn Bridges – neither of these are actions that will encourage travel to South Wales without a car. I wonder if the predicted 17% increase in traffic flow over the bridge has been part of the justification for the new M4 around Newport?
As you rightly point out Chris there are significant implications for the motorway network of both these decisions. I suspect that the new M4 route may solve one congestion problem but create another one.
I just think it’s a shame. A reduction in travel time is reason enough to support electrification.
Thanks June. I agree with your comment but there would have been a lot of other advantages from the electrification, not least of which would have been the reduction in air pollution.
Having read an article on Electric vehicles on the council website; I’m pleased to see the increased uptake of using such vehicles.
If a petrol / Diesel vehicle does 10,000 per year at 40mpg (£5.00/gallon) = £1250.
An electric vehicle charged on Economy 7 would cost approximately £100 to travel 10,000 miles.
Not only does this save money but it also saves the planet.
More and more workplaces are providing charging points for employees to charge their own cars. Would the authority consider this?
Hi Wyn, thanks for your interest. We’ve now ordered the 40 new electric vehicles for the council and we expect the savings will mean they’ll have paid for themselves within four years.
Part of this strategy is indeed providing a wider network of electric charge point and our council-owned buildings are going to be included in this approach over the next 12 months.