<p>In April 2019 Biggleswade station was awarded &#8216;Access for All&#8217; funding to provide lifts at the station. Five years on the much delayed scheme has been delayed yet again, and ironically we were informed of this delay in the same week that Andrew Haines set out how Network Rail, the organisation he has been the &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/05/03/an-open-letter-to-network-rail-ceo-andrew-haines/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class=

In April 2019 Biggleswade station was awarded ‘Access for All’ funding to provide lifts at the station . Five years on the much delayed...

<p>There is much to unpack from yesterday&#8217;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 &#8211; although &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/30/actions-not-words-needed-on-rail-accessibility/" class

There is much to unpack from yesterday’s House of Commons Public Accounts Committee hearing discussing UK rail reform. The Committee...

A frequent and accessible public transport system, with seamless links with other transport modes is vital, both for social inclusion,...

<p>A frequent and accessible public transport system, with seamless links with other transport modes is vital, both for social inclusion, reducing loneliness, access to work and leisure and as part of our drive to reach net zero. Therefore, I was delighted that around three years ago a transport interchange was announced for my local train &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/11/its-time-to-run-public-transport-for-the-public/" class="more-link">Continue readi

A common theme running through tragedies such as Horizon, Grenfell and Hillsborough is the nauseating confidence and casual indifference...

<p>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 &#8211; those with the deepest pockets win, and the &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/04/01/fixing-the-system/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="s

<p>From recent evidence, it seems that Central Bedfordshire Council views road markings as a &#8216;nice to have&#8217;, rather than a vital aspect of road safety. This blog sets how I believe they are misinterpreting research in this area and how their current approach reduces the safety of the roads across Central Bedfordshire. I first raised &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/03/27/white-lines-dont-do-it-feat-central-beds-council/" class="more-link">Continue

From recent evidence, it seems that Central Bedfordshire Council views road markings as a ‘nice to have’, rather than a vital aspect of...

Hillsborough, Grenfell, Horizon, Windrush, Orgreave, Daniel Morgan Murder, Shrewsbury 24, Undercover Policing, Contaminated Blood...

<p>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 &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/01/13/from-hillsborough-to-the-post-office-scandal/" class="more-l

<p>Recently, representatives from the Arlesey and Biggleswade rail user groups attended a meeting that we had called to discuss the poor service provided by GTR. The meeting was chaired by Richard Fuller MP, and the Passenger Services Director and other members of GTR&#8217;s staff were present. Below are the questions that we put to them. &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2023/12/14/gtrs-answers-to-arlesey-biggleswade-rug-questions/" class="more-link">Continue rea

Recently, representatives from the Arlesey and Biggleswade rail user groups attended a meeting that we had called to discuss the poor...

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...

<p>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 &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2023/12/07/are-planning-conditions-worth-the-paper-they-are-written-on/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-rea

The ‘Access for All’ scheme to improve the accessibility of the UK’s train stations was introduced in 2006. To date, it has enabled...

<p>The &#8216;Access for All&#8217; scheme to improve the accessibility of the UK&#8217;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 &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2023/11/21/access-for-all-mind-the-equality-gap/" class="more-link">Continue re

<p>The weight of history weighs heavily on the situation in the Middle East. The actions taken by Hamas during their attack on Israel on 7th October were abhorrent. My thoughts are with both the Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones. There is no valid justification for the killing of innocent civilians or &hellip; <a href="https://julianvaughan.blog/2023/11/05/a-statement-on-the-israel-gaza-war/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reade

The weight of history weighs heavily on the situation in the Middle East. The actions taken by Hamas during their attack on Israel on 7th...