Skip to main content

A future vision for transport in Wales

A new report by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Cymru Wales, Vision 2035: Cymru Wales, looks to the future and visualises how transport and logistics in Wales would develop, taking account of population changes, technological developments and social and political change. By 2035, Wales will be making decisions on all aspects of transport, including air passenger duty, rail franchising and road policy. There will also be greater government involvement in public transport operatio
November 13, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
A new report by the 6500 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Cymru Wales, Vision 2035: Cymru Wales, looks to the future and visualises how transport and logistics in Wales would develop, taking account of population changes, technological developments and social and political change.

By 2035, Wales will be making decisions on all aspects of transport, including air passenger duty, rail franchising and road policy. There will also be greater government involvement in public transport operations, with not-for-profit business models being adopted.

The report indicates that will be significant enhancements in the transport network, with electrification on all major rail routes. Journeys to London from all parts of Wales will be quicker, using trains that can achieve at least 140mph. Some additional road capacity will be provided, but driverless vehicles will improve road network capacity.

Urban areas, such as the city regions, will be characterised by metro-style systems using bus and rail based technology and focused on interchanges. These interchanges will be centres of economic activity, both retail and employment, and designed to include walking and cycling. Car-sharing will be normal for journeys that cannot be completed by public transport.

Providing cost effective rural transport will be a challenge. Rural railways that are not electrified will need innovative solutions such as providing shared coach and rail routes. Demand responsive bus services will be widespread, while electric vehicles will be more common. Deliveries of goods are likely to be to community based hubs, for collection by customers rather than to shops.

International connectivity will see Cardiff Airport handling around 4.5 million passengers, with a range of long and short haul destinations. However, capacity constraints in South East England may make this an underestimate. Welsh ports will also develop more services, particularly to handle container traffic.

The report also highlights some potential developments after 2035. High speed rail lines from South Wales to London and Northern England will be planned, offering journey times from Cardiff of less than one hour. Discussions will also be taking place regarding a rail tunnel from Holyhead to Dublin, as a major European transport corridor.

“As an essential part of the economy, it is hoped Vision 2035 provides a long term view of transport in Wales,” commented Dr Andrew Potter, Chair of CILT Cymru Wales. “By thinking now about the opportunities and challenges ahead, better solutions can be found that make a real difference to passengers and businesses alike”.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • VivaCity captures simple zebra data
    January 23, 2023
    Sensors will help establish VRU/driver behaviour changes at 'non-prescribed' crossings
  • ITS World Congress Hall of Fame winners
    September 8, 2016
    The ITS World Congress 2016 Hall of Fame winners have been announced and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 23rd ITS World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, 10-14 October, Melbourne, Australia. The Awards recognise individuals, industries and local governments striving to set the bar higher and enhance the end user experience. Local solutions often have wider applications, ensuring international transport, safety and technology improvements, enhancing liveability in cities and communitie
  • Pilot shows how wi-fi data could improve London Underground journeys
    September 11, 2017
    Journeys on London Underground could be improved through Transport for London (TfL) harnessing wi-fi data to make more information available to customers as they move around London, new research has shown. The four-week TfL pilot, which ran between November and December last year, studied how depersonalised wi-fi connection data from customers' mobile devices could be used to better understand how people navigate the London Underground network, allowing TfL to improve the experience for customers.
  • Oregon tests new mileage-base charging scheme
    August 5, 2013
    Jack Opiola from D’Artagnan Consulting LLP explains Oregon’s latest moves which mandated a trial of mileage-based road use charging. In 1919, Oregon made the 20th century’s most significant contribution to transportation funding policy, becoming the first state in America to implement a gas tax to pay for roads. This summer Oregon’s Legislature passed, and Governor John Kitzhaber signed into law, Senate Bill 810 which requires a distance-based road usage charge for 5,000 volunteer vehicles by 1 July 2015. T