4/9 Wales’s rail vision plus Michael Portillo’s outlook

4/9 Wales’s rail vision plus Michael Portillo’s outlook

From Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast by Christian Wolmar & Cogitamus Ltd

March 4, 2026 · 43 min · Episode 79

About this episode

The episode discusses Wales's rail vision with Ken Skates and features an interview with Michael Portillo about his views on railways and politics.

As the Welsh Government publishes 'Today, Tomorrow, Together - A vision for rail across Wales and Borders', Christian speaks exclusively to Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales, about how train services are being envisioned as well as covering Welsh bus reform and the controversial 20mph speed limit policy for local roads [2:36]. Christian discusses with broadcaster and former minister Michael Portillo his love of railways, finding a surprising twist on his current political outlook [29:43]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian examines progress in the pedestrianisation of London's Oxford Street [39:38]. Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here: X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/ Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

People in this episode

Host: Christian Wolmar

Guests: Ken Skates MS, Michael Portillo

Topics covered

  • Wales rail vision
  • transport policy
  • bus reform
  • speed limit policy
  • railways
  • pedestrianisation

Keywords

  • Wales
  • rail vision
  • Ken Skates
  • Michael Portillo
  • transport policy
  • Oxford Street
  • pedestrianisation
  • bus reform
  • 20mph speed limit

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Welsh Government

Places: Wales, London, Oxford Street

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