In this roundup of sector developments from September 2023, David and Mike explore why the future of high speed rail, the precarious state local government finance, and mayors taking control of bus services in England are so important to the economic growth of places across the UK. What does Birmingham City Council effectively declaring bankruptcy mean for how it conducts placemaking? Why was HS2 always about so much more than conveying people in greater modernity and comfort between cities with existing rail connections? And how can setting bus routes and timetables through franchising services open up new sites for development? Tune in to find out!