Our launch episode for Season 4 includes interviews with Andrew Gilligan on why he believes the money sought for Northern Powerhouse Rail could be better invested in other railway enhancements for the North of England [3:02] and with Graeme Bickerdike who is campaigning to save the disused Queensbury rail tunnel in Yorkshire as a cycling commuter and tourism route [28:56]. Christian also asks why the British Transport Police has advertised how easy it is to steal a bike [54:12].

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In our Season 3 finale, Christian talks at length with the UK Minister of State for Transport and Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, about the eagerly anticipated Railways Bill which will implement the Labour Government's plans for Great British Railways. Their conversation covers crucial issues such the timing of the Bill, fares reform, investment, open access, capacity allocation between operators and the HS2 reset as well as changes to bus provision across England and the upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy.

Join us for Season 4 - coming this autumn!

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Christian speaks to 'We Own It' Founder and Director Cat Hobbs at the parliamentary launch of the report 'Passengers not profit: a vision for the Railways Bill' [1:30]. In Toronto, Canada, Christian meets cycling campaigner Albert Koehl to hear about the culture war between the municipality and the Ontario provincial government over bike lanes [13:25]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian shares a listener's stress at the frequency of railway station announcements [32:38].

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In her new book 'Off the Rails: the Inside Story of HS2', Sally Gimson meets with the politicians, engineers and ordinary people affected by the failure of HS2. Travelling from demolished council estates in Camden to ghost towns along the now cancelled northern branch, Off the Rails provides a forensic examination of how a vital social project imploded.

Christian discusses in depth with the author the insights gained from her research, the lessons that the UK should learn and what needs to be done to bring the truncated project into service.

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Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker pick up on some of the issues around driverless cars from the visit to Bosch in Stuttgart covered in episode 3/18 [1:30]. With the UK's Rail200 celebrations in full swing, our hosts discuss 'The Greatest Gathering' in Derby [7:12] and Mark reports back from an unforgettable journey to the event on 'The Belmond British Pullman' [10:32]. Looking to the future prospects for rail in the UK, Christian interviews the Chief Executive of one of its largest trade associations, Darren Caplan of the Railway Industry Association [26:21]. In his thought from the departure lounge, Christian wonders what lessons can be learned from Norway on the propensity of electric vehicles to encourage greater car use [40:56].

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Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine just which transport schemes ended up being funded by the UK Department for Transport through the Spending Review - and which ones didn't [1:20]. Ever interested in the issue of driverless cars, Christian reports back from a visit to Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany, who are developing software for the driver aids that potentially pave the way for this technology [16:25]. One year on from the election of the Labour Government in the UK, Christian and Mark discuss its scorecard on transport policy and innovation [32:20]. Finally, Christian anticipates 'The Great Gathering' at the Alstom factory in Derby as part of the Rail200 celebrations [41:56].

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We have two great interviews in this episode. Christian visits the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, UK, and hears from Tom Ingall about the 'Reunification' project for this leading heritage operator [01:48]. Christian then talks to Caroline Seton about London's Forest e-bike hiring and sharing company and its hopes to expand across the capital [21:07]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian finds that Germany has had problems reminiscent of the UK with a major railway project [38:47].

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In the midst of a flurry of UK Government transport funding and policy announcements, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine: the current status of Britain's high speed railway project, HS2 [2:25]; just how realistic are expectations for driverless cars [14:40]; and which schemes are so far known to be on the receiving end of Ministers' chequebooks [23:30]. Christian also reflects on the progress of his original idea to pedestrianise London's famous Oxford Street [46:40].

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