Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:41 pm
I've heard that removing the tolls will add an extra 15% onto the current traffic levels. Does anyone really think that the M4 between the Severn Bridge and Cardiff could handle 15% extra cars and lorries? From what I understand, the problem with the M4 relief road is not Westminser, nor is it the Welsh Government. It's the planning process that's causing delays because we have all of these people who are worried about environmental consequences.
Things are happening with the Metro, but I don't think we'll see a huge spike in activity until the rail franchise comes up for tender and the control of that process is in Wales. In the meantime, the Welsh Government is acquiring land that is needed and commissioning bits of design work. The discussion on Cardiff Parkway confirm that things are going on behind the scenes.
Network Rail and the Welsh Government are still standing by their committment to electifying the Valleys and up to Cardiff. I've commented previously about the extension to Swansea in that the focus should really be on improving signalling, track speed limits and connecting services to Pembrokeshire and Aberystwyth. It would be nice to do it, but there are other priorities for that area.
I agree regarding the Tidal Lagoon. If they can guarantee a fixed price to EDF for a reactor design that is unproven in practice, then they should be able to offer the same for the lagoon.
South Wales’ biggest problem is that it is too close to Bristol, which has a larger population, more established business and better connections to other parts of the UK via road, rail and air. Devolution should give the South Wales area a massive edge of the Bristol area because we have a much greater political voice. But I don’t believe those tools have been used to the best advantage so far. We need to take charge of our own destiny. I’m not saying independence, but we can't expect those in Whitehall to come up with the answers because their priorities are elsewhere.
Anyway, this is all a bit off-topic for this thread, which is about tall buildings.