Ciara is joined by Denise Wetton from Network Rail and Toby Rackliff from WMRE to discuss all things Midlands Rail Hub, from inception to where it might take us in the future.

BBC Journalist and Midlands Connect alum, James Bovill, joins Maria and Andrew for a chat about what Midlands Connect has achieved over its first decade since inception.

Jon Bottomley, Planning Manager at East Midlands Airport discusses the growth, success and future for the Uk's largest dedicated air cargo operation. 

We talk to Principal Service Strategy Manager at East Midlands Railway, James Chapman, about how improvments to the Nottingham-Lincoln line will benefit passengers. We discuss integration with HS2, long-term thinking, and the drive for net-zero transport.

How can speeding up rail journeys improve the economy? What do shorter journey times mean for commuters, local businesses and tourists – and how do rail projects even go from an idea to implementation? In this episode, we speak to Tawhida Yaacoub, Senior Rail Programme Manager at Midlands Connect to answer these questions and discuss plans on enhancing the Birmingham – Black Country – Shrewsbury rail line. 

What causes cancellations, delays and hold ups on the rail network? Why, are operators so interested in timetables, and why do they change with the seasons? Mark Goodall, Service Delivery Director at Cross Country Trains explains the art of managing, planning for and optimising rail services.

How can the West Midlands be a bit more "Netherlands"? The region's first ever cycling and walking commissioner Adam Tranter on the need for segregated cycle lanes, safer streets and neighbourhoods designed to make active travel the norm.

Executive Director of Transport for the West Midlands, Anne Shaw, outlines her vision for region's transport network, talking trams, walking and cycling and how her team are gearing up for the Commonwealth Games 

Supply shortages, price fluctuations and COVID have wreaked havoc in the rail industry. Michelle Craven-Faulkner, partner at Shoosmiths outlines the clauses, service-level agreements and procurement regulations governing the rail industry - how they work, when they don't work and what needs to change.

We see them hurtling through our railway stations laden with containers and cargo, but what are they carrying and where are they going? Tune in for insights on the future of the freight train, how the rail freight industry is changing and what it needs to grow from Maggie Simpson OBE director general of the Rail Freight Group.