Local councils will be given authority to manage and allocate local bus services in the biggest shakeup to the transport sector for 40 years. Welsh Government is introducing a Bus Services Bill which means operators will have to bid for routes and councils will have power to run their own services if demand is there in a move designed to boost falling passenger numbers and reduce wasteful and … [Read more...]
News
Vauxhall temporarily shut UK plants
Vauxhall is closing its Ellesmere Port car plant tomorrow and Luton van assembly plant from thursday. They along with other PSA plants throughout Europe will be shut until 27 March and the 2,560 UK workers will get paid leave. It is part of the industry's response to the spread of Coronavirus around the world with many plants closing to protect workers as well as suppliers curtailing … [Read more...]
Home deliveries need health check
A protocol is needed to ensure that home delivery fleets do not place drivers or the public at additional risk from coronavirus, says FleetCheck. These fleets could serve an essential role in the next few months by ensuring that people who are self-isolating can easily access food and other essentials – but there is a possibility that drivers could be exposing themselves to risk as well as … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 March
A unique, record-breaking Triumph TR2 prototype sports car has been acquired by the British Motor Museum with £250,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. One of just three prototypes of the extremely successful 1953 Triumph TR2 model produced by the Standard Motor Company, it is the only one known to survive. In May 1953, during speed trials at Jabbeke in Belgium, this car reached a speed … [Read more...]
Britain’s dirtiest drivers discovered
Whilst your car might sparkle on the outside, the inside often gets neglected – meaning those fast food cartons and old running shoes can cause a bit of a stink over time. In a bid to dish the dirt, we surveyed over 2,000 Brits, driving cars from popular brands, to find out what disgusting items are left lurking inside, and who refuses to pick up passengers because they’re just too … [Read more...]
Auto Vivendi add more Aston Martins to stable
Auto Vivendi, one of the UK’s leading providers of supercar-related lifestyle experiences, has taken delivery of six Aston Martins at the company’s sports car home and global headquarters, Gaydon. The six Aston Martins comprise Vantage, DB11 Volante, DBS Superleggera and three DBS Superleggera Volantes, and account for 25 per cent of Auto Vivendi’s collection of cars amassed by … [Read more...]
Putting the L into Llandrindod is almost failsafe
As the driving test approaches its 85thbirthday on 16 March, a new look at pass rates has thrown up some wide differences. Taking your driving test is a huge milestone in any motorist’s life, and while some are able to pass their tests the first time, most need a couple of attempts. Just Tyres has analysed data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to reveal which towns in the UK are the … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 March
The first BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe goes on sale this week from £25,815. Unveiled in November, it completes the 2 Series line and the company’s four-door coupe range and will be available with a choice of 140hp or 306hp petrol engines and a 190hp diesel. Almost half the Ford UK 400 dealers could be axed in a radical shakeup to boost profits by the car-maker, reports media. Ford has declined to … [Read more...]
Dangerous dynamic motorway hard shoulders culled
Dynamic hard shoulder smart motorways will be abolished on safety grounds, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today. In a Parliamentary Statement he said, “Following concerns about Smart Motorway safety, I asked my Department to review the evidence and, if needed, bring forward recommendations. Today I am publishing that work and taking the action necessary to ensure our roads are as safe … [Read more...]
Budget of hope to smooth rough ride ahead
The Budget provides something for today’s and tomorrow’s drivers, said RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes. “Today the Chancellor has given a boost to drivers of today’s vehicles with a fuel duty freeze while also investing in tomorrow with funding for rapid charging hubs for electric vehicles, an extension to the plug-in car grant, funding to repair Britain’s roads and a commitment to spend on … [Read more...]