Best Surrey Choices Podcasts (2024)

1
The General Election and Representation in Politics 24:51

8d ago24:51

24:51

Join David and Andrew for this Podcast on The general Election. David and Dan discuss what they would do if they where Prime minister. We visit our Longmead hub who are holding their own election for advocacy speaker and interview Ankita Sharma a local councillor. https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/news/latest-news/voting-resources-2024/ …

1
2/22 Transport manifestos for General Election and how to boost UK merchant shipping 50:45

21d ago50:45

50:45

Christian and Mark Walker look at the main UK parties' General Election manifesto pledges on transport with Labour's hot off the press [1:35]. Nautilus International General Secretary Mark Dickinson speaks to Christian about his union's manifesto for a thriving merchant shipping industry in the UK [15:17]. Christian recounts his cycling tour of the…

1
Shirley the Middle-Aged Siren; Debbie Bridge and The Chichester fringe 26:41

21d ago26:41

26:41

Join us as we speak with Debbie Bridge a singer, actor and performer who will be performing her piece Shirley the middle aged Siren at The Chichester Fringe this week. Shirley the middle-aged Siren is a delightful exploration of the trials and tribulations faced by a middle-aged female siren, washed ashore in Chichester from the bustling metropolis…

1
2/21 Transport choices in the UK General Election and 1944 Normandy rail heroes 37:10

1M ago37:10

37:10

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the transport policy choices facing the UK political parties contending to win the 2024 General Election [1:25]. Mark interviews Christian about his latest book - The Liberation Line - telling the heroic story of how the reconstruction of the railways in France after D-Day from June 1944 hastened the A…

1
World Hunger Day ; The Hunger Project, Besom at Camberley, Longmead Foodbank 49:20

1M ago49:20

49:20

This Month we are Talking about World Hunger Day. Around the world, women and children are facing malnutrition due to war, famine, climate change and more. Over Billion adolescent girls and women suffer from malnutrition today. This Month we are Lucky to speak with Diane Gault from the Hunger Project and this year they are shining a light on nutrit…

1
2/20 Birmingham transformed by HS2 construction while culture wars bedevil roadspace policy 33:24

2M ago33:24

33:24

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker visit the impressive HS2 station and viaduct construction sites in central Birmingham to see how the project is transforming the city's connectivity and skyline [1:30]. They also discuss the latest twists in the UK's roadspace culture wars including the insane conspiracy theories around '15-minute cities' [20:…

1
2/19 Competing visions of 'Great British Railways' from Labour and the Conservatives 36:30

2M ago36:30

36:30

Taking a brief pause between media interviews on the Labour Party's freshly published plan for railways in Great Britain, Christian discusses with Mark Walker the strategy, proposals, details and still unanswered questions revealed in the Shadow Transport Secretary's paper [1:09]. Christian and Mark then examine the progress by the House of Commons…

1
National Pet Day with PETA, RSPCA, Four Paws and Magic Ponies. 1:04:30

2M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Join us as we celebrate national pet day. National pet day is a day for us to come together and celebrate the joy that pets bring into peoples lives and encourage people to help reduce the number of animals in shelters. We wanted to talk all things animals and find out how we can do our bit to advocate for animals. PETA https://www.peta.org/ RSPCA …

1
2/18 John Major's rail privatisation helmsman torpedoes Conservatives' latest reforms 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

Christian speaks at length with Steve Norris, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Transport between 1992 and 1996, who was the key Rail Minister serving John Major's Conservative Government in delivering the privatisation of Great Britain's railways and the creation of new industry structures. While reflecting on the pas…

1
English Tourism Week with Boomtown Festival and Kew Gardens. 43:11

3M ago43:11

43:11

This Month we explore English Tourism week. We Speak to Judy Bec from Boomtown festival who tells us all about what to expect this summer and how their festival is more accessible than ever and find out what's happening at Kew, we speak to Eleanor Cocks about how to make the most of your visit with their huge range of events and activities. https:/…

1
2/17 Are a fair deal for England's train drivers and fare-free public transport in London possible? 50:46

3M ago50:46

50:46

With further strikes scheduled in many of England's train companies, Christian speaks to Simon Weller, Assistant General Secretary of drivers' union ASLEF, about what the shape of a settlement to the long-running disputes over pay and conditions might look like [2:08 ]. Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the latest developments in Great…

1
2/16 Promoting cycling mobility in London and social mobility in Britain's railways 32:25

4M ago32:25

32:25

A double interview edition where Christian discusses expanding active travel across the capital with Greater London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner, Dr Will Norman [1:39] and a new initiative to promote social mobility through railway employment with Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern [21:27]. Christian also reflects that the big tech …

1
Time to Talk ; Anxiety UK ,The Mary Frances Trust 1:01:34

4M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

This month's Podcast is all about Time to Talk and breaking down the stigma around Mental health. We speak with Connie from The Mary Frances Trust and David from Anxiety UK and Join us for a guided meditation and take 5 minutes for yourself. Guests https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ https://www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/ Help and Information https://www.n…

1
2/15 Revealed! Draft Rail Reform Bill, new urban transport ambitions and rebranded Overground lines 45:50

4M ago45:50

45:50

With the Draft Rail Reform Bill published by the UK Government for scrutiny by the House of Commons Transport Committee, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss just what this says about the direction of travel after six years rail reform in Great Britain and ask whether any of the proposals will ever be implemented [01:30]. The centrepiece …

1
2/14 Featuring Surrey's pioneering hydrogen buses and celebrating forgotten WW2 rail heroes 42:03

5M ago42:03

42:03

Christian sees for himself the hydrogen-powered bus fleet introduced through the pioneering partnership between Surrey County Council and Metrobus [01:30] before discussing with Mark Walker the findings of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on the cancellation of the northern sections of HS2 [30:47]. Listeners then receive an update on …

1
National Storytelling Week 47:52

5M ago47:52

47:52

Joined by Dr Belo Cipriani of Oleb Books, Gordon Jackson from Guildford Book Fest. https://belocipriani.com/ https://olebbooks.com/ https://www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/ Produced by David Lance, Carinder Malhi, Natasha Hall, Dan Tromp, Matthew England, Andrew Wray.By Surrey Choices

1
2/13 Should the next UK Government be aiming to complete more of HS2? 27:54

5M ago27:54

27:54

In this special episode with just one item, Christian discusses with Jim Steer, Director of Greengauge 21, the prospects for restoration of the cancelled sections of Great Britain's new high speed railway - HS2 - and the difficult choices facing whichever party forms the next UK Government later in 2024.…

1
2/12 Scotland's transport strategy drives rail innovation, LNER's big ticket changes, tripping over e-bikes and possible HS2 resurrection 39:54

6M ago39:54

39:54

Christian interviews Scotland's Railway's Managing Director Alex Hynes about how having a national transport strategy and the greatest possible collaboration between trains and track is powering innovation across the business [1:25] before taking a quizzical look with co-presenter Mark Walker at LNER's radical ticket reform proposals on its Edinbur…

1
2/11 Welcoming 2024 with aviation safety, EV progress, bus headaches and New Year predictions 47:39

6M ago47:39

47:39

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine a positive report on progress in jet airliner safety alongside extraordinary incidents in Tokyo and Portland [02:00]. We have an extended interview debunking myths about electric cars with Edmund King OBE, President of the AA [12:40] and explore the implications of a Daily Mirror report on the scale of…

1
Nationwide, Gatwick Airport, Freedom Leisure - Talk about Accessibility 28:03

7M ago28:03

28:03

Joined by Nationwide-Gatwick Airport-Freedom Leisure In this months podcast we continue to talk about accessibility. We explore accessible services and ask what companies are doing to be more inclusive to all consumers. https://www.nationwide.co.uk/ https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/ https://www.gatwickairport…

1
2/10 Happy 1st podcast birthday and Eurotunnel’s 30th but UK’s infrastructure chief isn’t happy at all 45:39

7M ago45:39

45:39

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker consider the transport news and policy highlights of their first year of podcasting [1:10]. Christian celebrates 30 years of Eurotunnel operations with John Keefe, Chief Corporate and Public Affairs Officer at Getlink Group, asking what the future holds for the conveyance of road vehicles, growth in passenger …

1
2/9 How close are we to guilt-free flying, a more perfect Union and prosperous railways? 48:29

7M ago48:29

48:29

Christian interviews the Aviation Environment Federation's Tim Johnson about just how green the first trans-Atlantic commercial flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel really was [2:40]. Mark Walker and Christian discuss the rail, road and aviation measures contained in the UK Government's response to the Union Connectivity Review [24:14]. Our co-pr…

1
Purple Tuesday and Accessibility 58:40

7M ago58:40

58:40

This Month we are supporting Purple Tuesday. Accessibility is important to our team at Choices Waves, and we wanted to talk to different areas of the community to see how accessible these places really are. We speak with AccessAble about how to find accessible places and the importance of accessibility. We talk with Hassell Inclusion about how comp…

1
2/8 May we see the bill please? Legal changes coming for autonomous vehicles and pedicabs but not railways 40:08

7M ago40:08

40:08

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker delve into the details of UK parliamentary bills covering automated vehicles [1:40] and pedicabs [11:42] and reveal why legislation on railways in Great Britain won't get beyond the draft stage [17:15]. Picking up on the recent UK Government ministerial reshuffle, Christian and Mark look at the biographies and…

1
2/7 New transport laws, new job for a rail legend and a new airport shuttle 51:31

8M ago51:31

51:31

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker consider the UK's Automated Vehicles Bill [1:45] and the Draft Rail Reform Bill [6:30]. Christian then interviews new Freightliner boss and rail industry legend Tim Shoveller about his career and the lessons he draws for the future [11:43] before speaking on site to Luton DART General Manager Linsey Sweet abou…

1
2/6 You turn if you want to - England spins booking office uey as USA throws robocar 180 28:33

8M ago28:33

28:33

Breaking news brings an extra episode from Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker who scrutinise the complete abandonment of proposed rail station booking office closures in England after a huge public backlash [1:30] and the withdrawal of Cruise self-driving cars in the USA following safety concerns [16:30]. In his Final Thought from the Departure Loung…

1
2/5 The strange cases of disappearing flightpaths, bridge arches and bus shelters 34:12

8M ago34:12

34:12

In an antidote to intense recent coverage of HS2 and alternative schemes, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker take a look at 5 transport stories from around the UK listeners may have missed [2:20]. Christian reports on what the House of Commons Transport Committee was told about August's air traffic chaos [11:14], how National Highways in England has …

1
2/4 Live from Liverpool! Our ’special’ on the big transport news from the Conservative and Labour Party conferences 41:47

9M ago41:47

41:47

In this special episode recorded in Liverpool focused on the 2023 principal UK political party conferences, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the Conservatives’ announcement on measures designed to protect the interests of motorists [1:10] along with the cancellation of the remaining sections of the HS2 high speed rail line and the div…

1
2/3 Is the coming UK General Election the one (at last) to be dominated by transport? 39:40

9M ago39:40

39:40

As the 2024 UK General Election looms ever closer, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker examine why both the Conservative and Labour Parties are tying themselves in knots over HS2 [2:40] and whether the reform of Greater Manchester's bus network is the precursor to a wave of changes across the country [10:28]. Still with buses, Christian interviews Ale…

1
Disabilities and Relationships 47:11

9M ago47:11

47:11

This month's Podcast is hosted by Poppy, Matthew and Martin. We wanted to explore Sexual Health week which was the 11th-17th of September. But we wanted to do it a little differently. We explore the world of disability Dating and relationships. Carinder, David, Dan and Tash chat with Rachel who is doing amazing research on LGBTQ+ and disabilities, …

1
2/2 Hands-free or speed-free on the roads plus awesome site visit (part 2) as HS2 again under scrutiny 31:13

10M ago31:13

31:13

Is Christian Wolmar's sceptical view of self-driving vehicles vindicated by the report from the House of Commons Transport Committee [1:59]? Does the new default 20mph speed limit on residential streets in Wales point the way to better road safety or economic ruin [9:50]? Will political choices leave the breathtaking HS2 Old Oak Common station as t…

1
2/1 Summer catch-up with awesome HS2 site visit (part 1), air traffic crisis, ULEZ and booking office rows 45:16

10M ago45:16

45:16

We're back! Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker launch Season 2 bringing you up to date with three of the summer's biggest transport stories - air traffic control in crisis [1:49], Greater London's ULEZ extension [5:19] and England's main line rail booking office review [8:58] - including the take on the latter of ASLEF union leader Mick Whelan [13:51…

1
All about the Environment 48:56

10M ago48:56

48:56

This month its all about the environment. We chat with Just Stop Oil, The Surrey Wildlife Trust and visit Newlands Corner with The Surrey Hills Society and Surrey Choices' Growth team. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/ -IPPC Report https://hubble-liveassets.s3.amazonaws.com/mylife/redactor2_assets/files/2853/Easy_Read_Guide_to_climate_change.pdf …

1
Down Syndrome Awareness 34:00

11M ago34:00

34:00

This month's podcast is all about Down syndrome. Our host Matthew shares his experience. We hear from Lorni from the Down's syndrome Association, Pops chats with Helen from PSDS and hear from Nicola Enoch from Down Syndrome Uk. Find the link to her Tedx Talk below; How I nearly terminated my son through ignorance. Links https://www.youtube.com/watc…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 23 47:58

12M ago47:58

47:58

SEASON ONE FINALE! Christian examines in detail the advantages, challenges and myths around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods with Green member of Oxford City Council, Emily Kerr [2:53]; innovative passenger boarding technology at Eurostar is then explained by the company's Gwendoline Cazenave and Gareth Williams with Andrew Budd from iProov [24:50]; and …

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 22 39:36

12M ago39:36

39:36

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the furious reaction to suggestions that booking offices at most of England's main line rail stations will be closed and the arguments put forward by advocates of this policy [01:30]; Christian undertakes a cab ride between London Paddington and Oxford with Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark …

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 21 44:18

1y ago44:18

44:18

EXCLUSIVE! With industrial disputes continuing to affect most main line passenger rail services in Great Britain, Christian hears from ASLEF train drivers' trades union leader Mick Whelan that there has been no contact from UK Department for Transport Ministers since 6 January [1:04]. Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker also follow-up the item f…

1
Learning Disability Week 2023 31:08

1y ago31:08

31:08

This month's podcast is all about Learning Disability week. Our host Tash shares her experience and chats with Dan. Martin and Salvatore meet Ciara; from Mencap who hosts her own podcast show. Jackie Doe tells us about books beyond words and how to get involved and Future Choices get excited for Wimbledon. Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every C…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 20 29:50

1y ago29:50

29:50

Podcasting from Cambridge, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the effectiveness of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway [00:00], the challenges of introducing a congestion charge for the City [06:18] and the status of the East West Railway project [14:10]. They then consider the lessons of the 2016 fatal crash on Croydon's tram system follo…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 19 38:01

1y ago38:01

38:01

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss how the tragic and very serious accident in Odisha should not be used to reinforce obsolete tropes about safety on Indian Railways [00:00]; Christian then returns to the subject of calls for graduated driving licences for young people in the UK by interviewing two trustees of the Under 17 Car Club whic…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 18 27:38

1y ago27:38

27:38

What a week! Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker review the extraordinary impact of this podcast's revelation of UK Department for Transport plans to cut passenger wifi provision on franchised rail services in England, including an extensive debate in the House of Lords of the UK Parliament (to whom we are very grateful for the audio clips). Chr…

1
Men’s Sheds and Mental Health 25:14

1y ago25:14

25:14

This month, our host David explores men's mental health and men's sheds, which are a growing success around the world in combatting men's mental health. Adam talks to an ambassador from the Men's Shed Association, and our colleague Katie visits our own shed to talk to Nigel. We also talk to people at Surrey Choices about mental health and unwinding…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 17 24:01

1y ago24:01

24:01

SCOOP! Calling All Stations brings news that the UK Department for Transport is trying to switch off passenger wifi on the train services it controls in Great Britain. Christian Wolmar has the exclusive as our top story. In a special edition focused on rail in Great Britain, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the status of the reform pr…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 16 28:52

1y ago28:52

28:52

Revealed - the latest position on reshaping Great Britain's main line rail industry. In this podcast, Christian speaks at length with Anit Chandarana, Lead Director at the Great British Railways Transition Team on the work of the GBRTT, the wide range of reform issues the team is addressing and the prospects for legislation implementing the William…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 15 36:03

1y ago36:03

36:03

A preview of Christian's next book - 'The Liberation Line' - telling the story of the Allies' amazing reconstruction of railways in France and beyond following the Normandy landings of 1944 [01:15] is followed by an in-depth interview with Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Transport Focus, the principal consumer watchdog organisation for rail, bus …

1
Understanding Autism 46:28

1y ago46:28

46:28

Join our host Peter to mark World Autism Awareness Day which was on April 2nd. We're talking to Simon Tobin, who has autism and speaks publicly to educate others, and a parent whose child has autism. We also hear stories from some of those at Surrey Choices who have autism. Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices Autism Awa…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 14 32:29

1y ago32:29

32:29

This week, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the cutbacks to the UK Government's Smart Motorways programme in England [1:30], analyse what the grilling of UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP by the House of Commons Transport Committee tells us about the rail reform programme for Great Britain [8:12], discuss why two-wheeled forms of …

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 13 26:09

1y ago26:09

26:09

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker take a close look at the saga of the new ferries for island shipping services in Scotland [01:30], scrutinise promises of hands-free driving on Great Britain's motorways [11:15], reflect upon the renaissance of sleeper trains in Europe [17:00] and cheer on prospects for smoother boarding of flights from UK air…

1
Calling All Stations with Christian Wolmar, Episode 12 42:33

1+ y ago42:33

42:33

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker look at the latest developments with HS2 and Euston [01:30], the controversies around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 15-Minute Cities [14:19], the UK Government's response to the Independent Review of Net Zero by Chris Skidmore MP [26:45] and how Queens Park Rangers are leading the way on sustainable travel in…

1
”Calm Cushion Call!” | All About Epilepsy 35:46

1+ y ago35:46

35:46

March 26 was Purple Day, so what better time to focus on epilepsy? What is it? What medical help is available? What causes seizures and what should you do when someone has one? Well, here’s a hint: calm cushion call. And one more question, why purple? Well, stick with us because today we find out. Join our host Matthew, and interviewers Carinder an…

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