Six-in-10 drivers (60%) believe the condition of local roads they use regularly is worse than a year ago, with a similar proportion (55%) complaining the standard of pothole repairs is – at best – ‘poor’, new RAC data* has found. What’s more, only 4% think the state of the local roads in their area has improved in the past 12 months, down from 6% for the last two years. The research conducted for … [Read more...]
Features
Menai Bridge defects seen in 1990s
Defects which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge last month were identified nearly 30 years ago but not remedied. Commenting on the defect which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge in October was first identified in the 1990s, and will not be partly reopened until next year at the earlierst, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said, “This is an absolute … [Read more...]
Annual average car costs rise by £1,000
Annual average car costs have risen by almost £1,000 – an increase of around 20% – since the start of 2022. November’s Startline Used Car Tracker research suggests motorists' annual spending on fuel, insurance, servicing and car finance had risen by £80 a month. The biggest single increase was seen in fuel at £37 per month but insurance and motor car finance both rose by around £20 per … [Read more...]
Welsh author’s F1 classic view
Proving every picture tells a story, Welsh motorsport author Richard Jones has self-published a fascinating book from an idea provided by an evocative painting that captures just a brief snapshot from a hot and sunny May afternoon in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco. In fact, the original Nicholas Watts painting (below) proudly hangs on the author’s study wall in Penarth as both his … [Read more...]
Young are misguided about autonomous cars
Thatcham Research is launching findings from its Trust in Automation consumer study which has revealed that just over half of UK drivers think that they can buy a fully autonomous car today. This is despite the fact that only Assisted Driving systems, which require driver support, are currently available in the UK. “Realising the government’s stated safety ambition for Automated … [Read more...]
Vehicle leasing costs rising & more to come
Higher Bank of England interest rates mean that company car and van lease costs are beginning to increase, reports the Association of Fleet Professionals. Denise Lane, board director at the industry body, explained that the increases were not uniform across the market but widely reported by AFP members and especially appeared to be affecting vehicles already on order. She said, “Businesses are … [Read more...]
Young drivers ignorant of alcohol & hangover danger
With the festive period upon us and Brits heading into the party season, Go.Compare’s car insurance experts are urging drivers to consider alternative modes of transport for the morning after the night before. Research from the comparison site shows that one in five people between the ages of 18 and 35 believe that driving while hungover is legal. On top of this, nearly a quarter … [Read more...]
Row erupts over Welsh Government 20mph limit in 2023
A new 20mph default speed limit in communities across Wales could save £100m as deaths and injuries are reduced, according to new research, but it will cost £4.5Billion to implement. New research showing a reduction in deaths and injuries as traffic slows down is being published yesterday longside new survey results showing continued public support for the national roll out of the lower … [Read more...]
Community ev charging scheme plugs into Zap-Map
JustCharge, the community electric vehicle (EV) charging network from JustPark, has gone live with a brand new partnership with leading charge point mapping service Zap-Map. The partnership offers Zap-Map users the ability to find and book JustCharge chargers directly through the Zap-Map app. The partnership goes live as new data from Zap-Map’s annual survey of more than 4,300 EV drivers has … [Read more...]
Toll charging favoured to replace fuel duties
Campaign for Better Transport say that 60% of the British public agree that there is a need to reform the current system of vehicle taxation with significantly more people agreeing that a pay-as-you-drive system would be a good way ahead than those who oppose it. The report recognises that the system of taxation relating to motor vehicles will need to change as an increasing number of electric … [Read more...]