Interesting read, but I don't like the idea of devolved railways, Given how useless Bristol's mayor is the last thing we want is him touching the Great Western. On the whole I think GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has worked very well and has come a long way since 2010, I would like to see it continue in some form as it is now, but with a more long term strategy rather than the last few years of contract renewals.

There is a very great deal to be said for regionally tuned and integrated public transport, but a fear that it could lead to imbalances across places, a lack of national expertise and view meaning that more local politicians who perhaps are selected from a very small pool with public transport experience may be at the controls.  I would be less concerned for the Bristol and South West area if we were looking at a "Transport for The West" from Swindon to Penzance - and perhaps we might be.  But I fear separate "Western Gateway" and "Western Peninsular" regions; I can't forget the answer from a member of the audience at a recent seminar from the chair of the gateway SNTB^▸ (Sub-national Transport Board), saying they would work with Peninsular on cross border issues, and admonishing the questioner for wasting time by asking such a question.   And coming back in the summary to blame the questioned once again for wasting time.

Great Western would run Metrowest, I can see it being a disaster how will Great Western be able to justify for example Bristol have a completely different service level, prices or anything else being completely different to the rest of the network?

I should hope their recent track record is taken into account.