What changes could Hyperloop deliver?

Hyperloop One

The last in our series of blogs on WEBs. Having worked on the Hyperloop projects, Volterra Partner Paul Buchanan looks at the impact futuristic modes of transport have on WEBs. WEBs and Hyperloop I have been lucky to work on four or five Hyperloop projects; this means thinking about the impact of Hyperloop on where […]

WEBs – can they be negative?

Toronto in 2010

The second in our series of blogs looking at how Paul Buchanan has continued to develop the techniques and spread the application of WEBs. Can WEBs be negative? I spent many years after Crossrail espousing the power of WEBs: the economic growth that resulted, the additional tax revenues accruing to government and all of the […]

The history of Wider Economic Benefits (WEBs)

Commuters

Paul Buchanan started WEBs, secured the original approval of WEBs by government and has continued to develop the techniques and spread the application of WEBs ever since. This series of blogs looks at some of the key changes and innovations that were introduced over time. They range from the original work on Crossrail, through early […]

Hyperloop One: Stockholm to Helsinki

Hyperloop One

Volterra carried out an economic assessment of an ultra-fast transport system connecting Stockholm to Helsinki. Hyperloop One will be an entirely new form of transport: as planned, it will connect city centres that were previously hours apart in minutes and deliver a step change in the relationship between distance and connectivity. The existing journey requires […]

Volterra supports Paddington Quarter plans

Volterra recently supported Great Western Developments Ltd.’s application to redevelop the former Royal Mail Sorting Office and Post Office next to Paddington Station. The proposed development, Paddington Quarter, includes office, retail and café/restaurant uses across two buildings – an eighteen storey building, Paddington Cube, and a smaller two story satellite building. The scheme also encompasses […]

High Speed North – building blocks for the Northern Powerhouse

An article by leading economist and member of the National Infrastructure Commission Bridget Rosewell. The National Infrastructure Commission launched its third report on 15th March looking the connectivity needs of the Northern Powerhouse.  Recommendations include improving the key rail link between Manchester and Leeds which is at the heart of the East West link, focusing […]

strong case for Light Rail integration with HS2

Volterra partner Paul Buchanan was invited to give a presentation during this year’s 10th Annual UK Light Rail Conference in Nottingham, discussing the opportunities for light rail integration with high-speed rail. Norman Baker, former light rail minister; David Ralph, chief executive of D2N2; and Martha Grekos, partner and head of the planning and infrastructure team […]

Do short-term governments affect the UK’s productivity?

Since the economic crisis labour productivity growth in the UK has been very poor. The Bank of England estimate that output per hour (productivity) is 16% lower than it should be given pre recession trends. With output recovering and high levels of employment, many argue that the so-called ‘productivity puzzle’ is the reason behind lagging […]

HS2 Stoke Route – Better, cheaper, faster and greener

Volterra has central role in developing the stunning business case for HS2 the Stoke Route – which was launched in Westminster on the 15th October. The Stoke Route has been developed by a partnership of top consultants commissioned by Council to make the case for an HS2 station between Birmingham and Manchester at in the […]

More ideas like HS3 are needed to solve our regional problems

In London and much of the South East, the recovery has been well under way for a considerable time.  House prices boom and restaurants are packed.  The economic data for the UK as a whole looks just as encouraging, with employment being at its highest ever level. Yet there are persistent complaints that the recovery […]