It is said that most political careers inevitably end in failure. I seem to have turned this statement on its head and started my journey with a series of defeats! I've been reminded that it is a year since the local government elections. This made me reflect what a year it had been and how … Continue reading A turbulent year
On Monday I sent out an update to all Labour members across our local Labour Party in NE Bedfordshire. I realised that our day to day lives had changed monumentally since I previously sent out an update - just five weeks earlier. Further, and although seeming almost trivial in comparison to drama and tragedy of … Continue reading NE Beds CLP Chair’s Update
Following on from the conference call that took place between Network Rail, Richard Fuller MP, Central Beds and Biggleswade Town Councils, Govia Thameslink Railway and me on Monday, I've received the plans of what, at this time, are the two remaining options for the ramp/lifts layout at the station. During the conference call I stressed … Continue reading ‘Step-Free Access’ one step closer at Biggleswade
On Monday 6th April we held a Skype Conference Call regarding step-free access at the station. Network Rail, Richard Fuller MP, and representatives from Central Beds Council, Biggleswade Town Council and GTR were on the call. This was the follow up to the meeting on 9th March, which was a bit of a car crash … Continue reading Biggleswade Step-Free Update
Unfortunately, I have little positive to say from today's meeting to discuss progress on step-free access at Biggleswade station. Unless things change and change quickly, there is a very real possibility that Biggleswade could become another 'Luton' and face endless delays while each party waits for everyone else to act - a reminder that Luton … Continue reading Biggleswade access improvements hit the buffers
Below is a compilation of a number of email exchanges with Central Bedfordshire Council on the subject of bus provision across Central Bedfordshire (CBC). I've not edited any questions or answers, but have added words in brackets where necessary to make the meaning clear. My five questions are in bold and follow ups in italics, … Continue reading Buses in Bedfordshire – Q&A with Central Bedfordshire Council
While the Prime Minister heralds the dawn of a new age of bus travel across the UK the current situation, particularly in Bedfordshire, is somewhat less bright and breezy. Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, when asked by Andrew Marr how many of the 3,000 routes cut by the 'old Tory Government' would … Continue reading Which way for buses in Bedfordshire?
In April 2019 the UK rail industry, through the Rail Delivery Group, proudly announced the launch of its new interactive accessibility map. The aim of this map is to improve accessibility information for passengers - and increase the confidence of passengers with disabilities to travel by train. The map can be found here http://accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk/ Unfortunately, … Continue reading Rail ‘Access Map’ takes the wrong route
Laurence Fox's appearance on BBC Question Time certainly set off a social media debate on 'white privilege' and what it does or doesn't mean. As users of social media will be aware this rarely ends up with measured argument, where opinions are respectfully countered and true to form it didn't let us down in this … Continue reading White Privilege
There is quite rightly, a great deal of anger about the failure of the rail industry to meet the 1st January 2020 deadline for all UK passenger trains to be fully accessible. Some of the extensions have been granted years into the future, despite more than a decade to either refurbish or replace non-compliant rolling … Continue reading Equal Access on the railways – how much longer?
Julian Vaughan 