Ethan McGlade
Innovations and Trends in Transport Planning
My name is Ethan McGlade, and I study Transport Planning whilst working for Network Rail. My employer enrolled me at Leeds College of Building where I attend two out of every six weeks as part of my job. During my research of the college, I discovered its high success rates which made me optimistic about starting my course.
Since starting my course I’ve had a brilliant time engaging with class discussions about the thought-provoking concepts that arise. The whole group has a great relationship with one another, as well as with our wonderful lecturers. Guest lecturers are also enjoyable and provide insight into how Transport Planning can affect other principles of building and construction. As a group we enjoy socialising outside of college, attending nights out and meals together.
Recently, I participated in the European field trip which was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen those bonds further. I genuinely enjoy every aspect of the course and college but the wonderful people I have met, and friendships I have forged are my favourite aspects.
Transport Planning is highly interesting and eye-opening. It provides an insight into aspects of Architecture, transport, and construction that go unnoticed to the naked eye. For anyone who has a shred of curiosity in their minds, this is the course for you!
Being a Transport Planner enables me to influence projects that have a real-world impact on how the public travels. Whether that be easier access to stations or re-opening a closed rail line – it’s all part of the job.
I experience this everyday with my 15-mile commute to work consisting of either a walk to the station, then a train or, in bad weather, a bus journey then a train. Working for the railways I naturally travel by train, not just because of the healthy staff benefits and discounts, but because of the ease of the regional public transport network. There is never a need for me to use a car to travel to my workplace.
I have worked on a couple of railway projects; one being planning the re-railing of a large section of a track in the North East. Logistically and financially, this was a difficult project for Network Rail, but it was completed efficiently. If I could choose a project to have worked on, it would have been the TransPennine Route Upgrade. This is a project to electrify the line between Manchester and York, including Leeds, as well as re-railing and putting down new ballast (the stones on the railway).
Having come from an extensive line of railwaymen, Transport Planning was a natural career path for me. My Grandad used to take me out on the train every weekend across the region and I loved those times! To this day he still says he knew from an early age I would work on the railways.
One day I hope to move to either the Netherlands or Germany to work in the transport industry, or perhaps gain consultancy experience. If you choose to study this course, then you will experience how well-planned transport is in those two countries. An interesting fact about me is I can speak fluently to other languages (French and German)!
My 3 top tips to students applying to college are:
- Be prepared.
- Open your mind to enjoying the experience.
- Enjoy it!
Discover more about Transport Planning courses here.
