It is with great sadness that I have made the decision to leave the Labour Party. As a General Election candidate in both 2017 and 2019, the Labour Party has been a significant part of my life over the last decade, and I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible people, both within and … Continue reading Love’s Labour’s Lost
Who is holding Labour’s moral compass?
*This blog, written on 26th June, has been updated on 27th June to comment on the concessions/U-Turn made by the government. Solidarity with the 100-plus Labour MPs who are taking a stand against the government to support the most vulnerable people in our communities. I can confirm that if I were in their position, I … Continue reading Who is holding Labour’s moral compass?
Which way now for Rail Accessibility under Labour?
A post on why we should all be concerned about the Labour government's commitment to an accessible rail network. Below is a list of the 50 stations selected for 'Access for All' (A4A) funding in May 2024 by the last Conservative government. Aigburth Ash Vale Battle Bellgrove Bodmin Parkway Bredbury Bushey Castle Cary Chinley Church … Continue reading Which way now for Rail Accessibility under Labour?
An open letter to CBC re Highways Budget
Below is an email sent on 27th January to the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and the Executive member for Finance and Highways regarding their use of the government's cash boost to fix our roads, the intention of which is to reduce their contribution to the Highways budget by the amount of extra funding provided … Continue reading An open letter to CBC re Highways Budget
The case for ‘Leveson 2’ is stronger than ever
The settlement by the owners of 'The Sun' to avoid their grubby practices being picked through in court calls into question the truthfulness of evidence given under oath by their senior executives, many of whom are still in positions of power today. The need for a Leveson 2 Inquiry has never been clearer. The print … Continue reading The case for ‘Leveson 2’ is stronger than ever
Step-free and ‘Appendix B’
As Chair of the 'Bedfordshire Rail Access Network', I was recently contacted by Network Rail as part of a public consultation into replacing the (inaccessible) station footbridge at Harlington station in Bedfordshire. Harlington station has four platforms, only two of these are scheduled for use by passenger trains and both of these are inaccessible due … Continue reading Step-free and ‘Appendix B’
UK railways ‘Access for All’ audit
This is a blog covering the status of the UK railway stations provided with 'Access for All' (AfA) funding to provide step-free access. The 'Access for All' funding programme aims to provide an accessible route onto and between railway station platforms and was launched in 2006. Since its launch, step-free routes have been provided at … Continue reading UK railways ‘Access for All’ audit
Fatality on the railway – a driver’s perspective
I have been a train driver for 21 years. Last year I was involved in an incident at work where someone jumped in front of my train, and very sadly this incident resulted in a fatality. I am deliberately vague about the specific details of the incident to maintain anonymity. Having now returned to driving … Continue reading Fatality on the railway – a driver’s perspective
Actions not words needed on rail accessibility
There is much to unpack from yesterday's House of Commons Public Accounts Committee hearing discussing UK rail reform. The Committee heard from the top brass in Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT) about their plans to transform the governance of the UK railways, primarily through the Great British Railways transformation team - although … Continue reading Actions not words needed on rail accessibility
Fixing the system
A common theme running through tragedies such as Horizon, Grenfell and Hillsborough is the nauseating confidence and casual indifference shown by those responsible. So from where does this confidence originate? I believe it is a confidence emboldened by several factors: 1: Unequal access to the law - those with the deepest pockets win, and the … Continue reading Fixing the system
From Hillsborough to the Post Office Scandal
Hillsborough, Grenfell, Horizon, Windrush, Orgreave, Daniel Morgan Murder, Shrewsbury 24, Undercover Policing, Contaminated Blood Scandal, Phone Hacking, Blacklisting. The list of miscarriages of justice and the abuse of power in the UK is a lengthy one. The victims may not be connected, but this blog will set out the common threads linking these scandals. I … Continue reading From Hillsborough to the Post Office Scandal
Are planning conditions worth the paper they are written on?
I will hold a hand up and say that up until a few weeks ago I did not know a great deal about planning conditions and S106 funding agreements. Since then, from delving into the lack of provision of cycle routes in my local area, and potential opportunities to improve their connectivity, I know quite … Continue reading Are planning conditions worth the paper they are written on?
Access for All – mind the equality gap
The 'Access for All' scheme to improve the accessibility of the UK's train stations was introduced in 2006. To date, it has enabled around 200 stations to become step-free as well as providing other smaller-scale improvements to many more stations. Funding for the rail network is broken down into Control Periods and every five years … Continue reading Access for All – mind the equality gap
S106 Funding – an open letter to Central Beds Council
Following my research into how funding received from housing developers is spent in our communities, I posted The secret world of S106 funding blog on my social media. Of course, while social media can be a useful tool, it is no substitute for actually getting in touch with the decision makers directly. As the planning … Continue reading S106 Funding – an open letter to Central Beds Council
The secret world of S106 funding
One of the most frequent issues that came up on the doorstep while campaigning during the Mid Bedfordshire by-election was the number of housing developments lacking associated infrastructure. Having walked around numerous housing estates over the last few months it seems that developers are permitted to lazily lob in a generic play area and completely … Continue reading The secret world of S106 funding
What lies ahead if we fail on net zero
This summer has seen extreme temperatures across the globe, with the UK having the warmest June ever recorded (smashing the previous record by 0.9ºC) and extreme heat across the US, China and Europe, with the ongoing heatwave providing a nightmare vision of the future and wildfires resulting in the evacuation of thousands of UK holidaymaker … Continue reading What lies ahead if we fail on net zero
Who is standing up for prepayment meter households? An open letter
On 31st March, the pause in the installation of prepayment meters by warrant will end. The appalling treatment of prepayment meter customers, who are among the most financially vulnerable people in the UK, is a national scandal. Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator has fundamentally failed in its role to protect vulnerable energy users and while … Continue reading Who is standing up for prepayment meter households? An open letter
The injustice of prepayment meters – an open letter to my MP
The following is a letter sent to my MP, Richard Fuller on 8th December, setting out the injustice faced by those who pay for their energy via a prepayment meter. Mr Fuller replied on 14th December and I have included this reply at the bottom of the blog. Dear Richard I am writing to you … Continue reading The injustice of prepayment meters – an open letter to my MP
Who will bear the burden of Sunak’s ‘difficult decisions’?
This blog sets out the budget policy changes that took place during and after the chaos of the Truss administration; it explores the current levels of social security in the UK and a comparison of these levels with other countries; it examines the extent of welfare cuts since 2010; considers some options which we are … Continue reading Who will bear the burden of Sunak’s ‘difficult decisions’?
Bedfordshire’s buses in a jam
Yet again Bedfordshire faces further cutbacks to its already threadbare public transport provision after Stagecoach is set to hand over the keys to its 72/73 route between Bedford, Sandy, Potton and Biggleswade. Central Bedfordshire Council 'Bus Service Improvement Plan', launched in October 2021 is in tatters as rural Bedfordshire risks becoming a public transport desert. … Continue reading Bedfordshire’s buses in a jam
Access for All – where’s Labour at?
Almost without fail, when discussing rail accessibility, politicians and rail industry leaders remind us that much of the UK rail network was constructed in the Victorian era. Guys, this excuse is wearing thin after 150-plus years. 'Glacial' is probably the best description of the rate of progress towards a step-free railway and this shows no … Continue reading Access for All – where’s Labour at?
Biggleswade Lifts Update 28.11.25.
This morning, the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN) team, along with Network Rail and the contractors, visited Biggleswade station to inspect and identify any potential issues with the new ramp and lifts. Of course, the first question on everyone's lips was when the lifts would enter public service, and we were told that this would … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update 28.11.25.
Hadrian’s Wall Walk
This blog describes my planning before the walk and the walk itself, which took place over 5 days in late September 2025 and will hopefully provide some useful hints for future walkers. The blogs I read before the walk about other people's experiences were invaluable. Why I did the Walk Although I was raised in … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Walk
Accountability and CBC
In April this year, I wrote the following about the 'Independent Alliance' led Central Bedfordshire Council... "...It is also particularly disappointing that the current leadership of the Council seems to resent being held accountable, or being subjected to the very scrutiny they were actually once rather effective at when in opposition...". Earlier this week, I … Continue reading Accountability and CBC
Central Beds Council – 1m trees by 2030 (How’s it going?)
In 2020, Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) set a target to plant 1 million trees by 2030. However, it has failed to set a) an annual tree planting target b) include it as one of the Council's Key Performance Indicators. As a result, it is probably little surprise from the evidence to date that tree planting … Continue reading Central Beds Council – 1m trees by 2030 (How’s it going?)
Fear, Hate and Reform UK
We all want to protect our families and ensure that our children are safe. Any perceived threat to our family will naturally create fear. It's a primal emotion, deeply ingrained in our psychology (far easier to stir up than love) and one that has been crucial to our survival. Unfortunately, opportunistic politicians such as Farage, … Continue reading Fear, Hate and Reform UK
Biggleswade Lifts Update – 23rd July 2025
Earlier today, we attended a site visit to the lift works at Biggleswade railway station. This site visit was hosted by Network Rail and apart from members of the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network team, was attended by local Town Councillors, Central Bedfordshire Councillors, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) representatives and our local MP Richard Fuller. Below … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update – 23rd July 2025
Julian Vaughan 