Controversial 20mph speed limit signs have been cut down in Carmarthenshire. The unauthorised removal of the signs which were part of a £35Million lower-speed limit programme by Welsh Government have been condemned by the local authority which put them up and said they now will be replaced at additional cost to services. It’s very concerning to see delays on our most important roads increasing … [Read more...]
Car sales boom on eve of Budget
February’s figures reinforce the robust performance of the UK automotive sector, maintaining a strong start to 2024 and signalling a nineteenth month of consecutive growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, commenting on the latest SMMT new passenger car registration figures. In February, a total of 84,886 new cars were registered, an increase of … [Read more...]
Car makers Budget plan to overcome stalling EV sales
The automotive industry is calling for the Chancellor to use this week's Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane. Research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a three-point plan of tax reform would … [Read more...]
Fuel prices again rising even before Budget, says RAC
The price of petrol has gone up more than 3p a litre in the last three weeks while diesel has increased by 4p, the RAC has revealed. Worryingly for drivers, unleaded has risen by 3.2p from 140p on 29 January to 143.4p on 18 February and diesel has shot up from 148p to 152p in the same period, adding around £2 to filling up a family car. RAC Fuel Watch data shows petrol had been on a welcome … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 March
There are over 4.55M drivers with points on their licences, figures from the DVLA have revealed to the Scrap Car Comparison company. Broken down they show about 3.55M drivers were penalised for speeding, usually on main and secondary roads, and many of these were in the south east of England, followed by London and then the North West, but Wales is not in the top ten offending areas. The new … [Read more...]
Filling stations’ fears over rising energy costs
Filling stations are extremely worried about soaring energy costs, said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association. "While we are encouraged by the Government’s recognition of this issue through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, we are concerned that it will not be enough to mitigate the long-term effects of price increases.” Earlier this month, Prime Minister Liz Truss … [Read more...]
Budget points
With just hours to go until the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, eight-in-10 drivers (83%) want him to step in to help reduce the impact of record-high pump prices with a cut in duty or a reduction in VAT levied on fuel, shows new RAC research among 2,000 drivers shows. The study suggests drivers are increasingly worried about the impact of high prices with averages hitting new records most days … [Read more...]
EVs get Budget boost
Electric vehicles have been given a boost in the Budget. Sean Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “We are finally starting to see the government put its money where its mouth is when it comes to investing in greener roads. "An additional £620 million into public charging in residential areas and targeted plug-in vehicle grants will be a critical acceleration in … [Read more...]
Budget fails Wales, claims Welsh Government
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has said the UK Government’s Spending Review and autumn Budget contains “clear gaps in funding” where Westminster has failed to invest in Wales. The Spending Review announced by the Chancellor on Wednesday contained no new investment for Coal Tip remediation or significant additional funding to support rail infrastructure in Wales – priorities highlighted by the … [Read more...]
Fuel duty rise would be kick in the teeth for logistics
Logistics UK, the business group representing more than 18,000 members charged with keeping the UK stocked with all that it needs, is urging the government to maintain the freeze on fuel duty, ahead of today's Budget. As David Wells, the organisation’s chief executive explains, any duty rise would have a severe impact on the industry’s ability to meet the government’s … [Read more...]