By Marino Donati | 13 November 2014
A tunnel connecting the UK and Ireland could be under discussion by 2035, according to new research.
A report from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Cymru Wales, examined how transport and logistics in Wales would develop, taking account of population changes, technological developments and social and political change.
It predicted that by 2035 electrified railways and metro style transport systems would become common in Wales.
However, it said that providing cost-effective rural transport in Wales would be a challenge, and that rural railways that are not electrified will need innovative solutions, such as providing shared coach and rail routes.
It also suggested that by 2035, a range of unconventional or ambitious transport projects could be under discussion, including a UK–Ireland tunnel, running from Holyhead to Dublin.
‘This would be a major engineering and investment project of European significance, but could be a serious topic of debate,’ the report says.
Demand responsive bus services will be widespread, while electric vehicles will be more common, the research predicted. Deliveries of goods are likely to be to community-based hubs for collection by customers rather than to shops.
Vision 2035: Cymru Wales has also predicted that there will be electrification on all major routes and that journeys to London from all parts of Wales will be quicker.
Some more roads will be built, but driverless vehicles will improve road network capacity, the report says.
Car sharing will be normal for journeys that cannot be completed by public transport.
Cardiff Airport will handle around 4.5 million passengers, although this could be more due to capacity constraints in South East England. Welsh ports will also develop more services, particularly to handle container traffic.
Wales will be making decisions on all aspects of transport, including air passenger duty, rail franchising and road policy by 2035.
There will also be greater government involvement in public transport operations, with not-for-profit business models being adopted.
Dr Andrew Potter, chair of CILT Cymru Wales said: ‘By thinking now about the opportunities and challenges ahead, better solutions can be found that make a real difference to passengers and businesses alike.’
The report also highlights some potential developments after 2035, including high-speed rail lines from South Wales to London and Northern England, and a rail tunnel from Holyhead to Dublin, as a major European transport corridor.
