Five small signs of progress... and what Skegness can teach us about infrastructure

On a packed episode of The Abundance Agenda this week:

* James and Martin run through five reasons to be optimistic, including the exciting news that the government has taken control of the planning powers for two major new reservoirs.

* James heads to Old Oak Common, the massive new HS2 station in West London, and speaks to HS2 Station Delivery Director Huw Edwards about progress inside the 1.8km “station box”.

* Then Martin explores the story of Skegness – and talks about how its 19th century success started with its infrastructure, and how its modern lack of infrastructure is helping Reform win votes.

* And finally, we speak to Labour MP Antonia Bance about how to build good quality housing, the opportunities of industrial policy – and whether an ‘Abundance’ mindset can ever be politically popular.

You can find James’s piece “Why I still believe in HS2” here.

You can find Martin’s piece… whatever it is going to be this week… here.

The report we talk about by Michael Dnes on missing roads is here.

The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!

You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.

00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda Podcast

00:38 Top Signs of Progress: New Reservoirs

03:09 Water Leaks and Infrastructure Challenges

07:45 Planning Reforms: Heat Pumps and EV Chargers

11:14 Railway Developments: HS2 and Great British Rail

18:19 A Visit to Skegness: Seaside Towns and Infrastructure

32:21 Government Failures and Local Issues

33:09 Staycations vs. Holidays

33:46 Podcast Housekeeping

34:24 Crowdfunders and Substack Topics

35:32 Listener Feedback on Local Plans

38:34 Interview with Antonia Bance: Housing and Public Services

47:59 Building More Homes: Affordable vs. Private

52:45 Skills Crisis and Industrial Strategy

01:01:42 Trade Unions and Technological Change

01:06:10 The Abundance Agenda: Political Popularity

01:10:14 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com