South East Wales Transport Commission

[whole diary]

[grahame]

from https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-12/south-east-wales-transport-commission-progress-update.pdf

I started reading this with a chuckle that these fast were fast-tracking something that would slow motorway traffic down to 50 m.p.h ... but then took a further read and it became a read to be very much less flippant about.

An initial task for the South East Wales Transport Commission is to propose ‘fast-track’ measures to help alleviate congestion on the M4 in South East Wales.

We are therefore making three specific recommendations to the Welsh Ministers:
1.Remove the variable speed limit from around junction 24 (Coldra) and up to junction 28 (Tredegar Park), and replace it with an average speed control of 50mph over the same extents.

A long document. I picked out:

Figure 1: An illustrative commuting journey
A typical commuter journey from West Newport through the Brynglas tunnels to Greater Bristol is one of the most common on the M4 in South East Wales. Following the removal of the Severn crossings tolls, this type of trip is increasing. The precise origin and destination within these areas will of course vary, but for illustrative purposes:
• The approximate journey time by car is between 40-85 minutes in the morning (to arrive by 9am) The fuel cost is around £4.20.2
• To use the bus would take over an hour and a half, especially when taking into account the frequency of services (less than hourly in the morning) and the need to change between buses. The bus fare for a single journey is over £16.80 each way, and includes a coach service.
• Alternatively, travelling by rail from Pye Corner to Bristol Temple Meads requires taking a bus for part of the journey (or changing services at Cardiff Central), taking between 65-70 minutes and costing £14.10. There are two services per hour.

It shows how totally inefficient the bus (and to a lesser extent) the train are for this commute ... makes me weep when I think how easily a train every 30 minutes could help Ebbw Vale - Pye Corner - Newport - Severn Tunnel Junction - Pilning - Aztec West - Patchway - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Temple Meads and Parson Street.   And I look at all the flows that are not currently catered for being better handled.

[Celestial]

Agree totally grahame.

One thing suggested that might help is the proposal to reduce drivers cutting in at the last minute at the lane drop on the approach to the tunnels. Though I think it is only sticking plaster as the volume of traffic trying to get through the tunnels means it is like sticking a quart into a pint pot (metric analogies are presumably available too).

Is part of the problem the disconnect between the bodies on either side of the Bridges/Tunnel? So a trans-estuarial approach (gosh, that sounds like something a highly paid consultant would say) is needed to come up with a solution that works for both sides.

Digressing slightly, I do have a wry smile whenever I see the posters for the Severnside Rail Partnership.  Any guesses as to what the logo is (clue, it's not a tunnel)?  How can we promote a rail solution when the local rail partnership associates with the less environmental alternative form of transport. 

[Red Squirrel]

Digressing slightly, I do have a wry smile whenever I see the posters for the Severnside Rail Partnership.  Any guesses as to what the logo is (clue, it's not a tunnel)?  How can we promote a rail solution when the local rail partnership associates with the less environmental alternative form of transport. 

What does the Severnside CRP^▸ (Community Rail Partnership) logo remind you of?

To me, it looks like a railway line with stations on it. The two-tone blue background sort of implies the Severn, though it is flipped presumably because someone wanted bend dexter, despite the Severn being resolutely bend sinister...

[Celestial]

Digressing slightly, I do have a wry smile whenever I see the posters for the Severnside Rail Partnership.  Any guesses as to what the logo is (clue, it's not a tunnel)?  How can we promote a rail solution when the local rail partnership associates with the less environmental alternative form of transport. 

What does the Severnside CRP^▸ (Community Rail Partnership) logo remind you of?

To me, it looks like a railway line with stations on it. The two-tone blue background sort of implies the Severn, though it is flipped presumably because someone wanted bend dexter, despite the Severn being resolutely bend sinister...

It's the picture of the Prince of Wales Bridge on the posters that I was referring to.