The arrival of the October half term will spark an ‘autumn rush’ on the roads with drivers taking an estimated 19.4m separate leisure trips between Friday and Sunday, according to RAC Breakdown. The survey of 1,400 drivers suggests that Saturday will be the most popular day on the roads with drivers planning an estimated 5.6m ‘getaway’ journeys, followed by Sunday (4.6m) and Friday (4.3m) with … [Read more...]
RAC Breakdown predict huge jams this weekend
Drivers will make the most of the fine weather expected this final bank holiday weekend of the year with an estimated 16.7m leisure trips planned, a similar number to 2019, say RAC Breakdown. The figures suggest today, Friday, could see the largest numbers of cars on the roads with 4.3m leisure journeys by car planned and, according to transport analytics experts INRIX, a 25% increase in delays … [Read more...]
Wales’s new road schemes closed in rethink
Planned new roads in Wales will be frozen while the Welsh government reviews schemes. Projects that already have diggers in the ground, such as the Heads of the Valleys Road, will continue althought they are seriously behind schedule and costing millions more than expected Ministers want to shift money from new roads to maintaining existing routes and investing in public … [Read more...]
Tradelines 26 May
The next bank holiday weekend will see an estimated 10.8m leisure trips taken by car, suggests new RAC research, but if the sun shines there’s likely to be even more trips which will inevitably cause jams. While the figures indicate drivers have firm plans to take around 7.2m trips to see friends and family between Friday and bank holiday Monday – with Saturday and the bank holiday itself busiest … [Read more...]
M4 congestion report wants more trains – and cycleways
Welsh Shadow Minister for Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure Russel George MS has criticised the report into plans to tackle congestion on the M4 which he says do not put sufficient emphasis on the need for a relief road. Mr George said, “Let’s be clear: Welsh Conservatives are firm believers in tackling the problem of congestion on the M4 into and out of South Wales though a … [Read more...]
Big ‘staycation’ getaway expected this week
An estimated 18m leisure trips will be taken by car this weekend, 1.8m more than last year as drivers seek to make the most of what is the last bank holiday before Christmas in most of the UK, says RAC Breakdown. Despite the summery weather taking a leave of absence, the figures suggest traffic could be bumper-to-bumper on some popular routes as families and friends embark on long weekends, bank … [Read more...]
M4 congestion report bypasses facts, says logistics group
The report published last week by the South East Wales Transport Commission that aims to tackle congestion on the M4 bypasses the key role which freight plays in sustaining the communities and industry in Wales, according to the business group which represents the logistics sector. “Disappointingly, the report overlooks the key role which logistics plays in keeping the Welsh economy supported … [Read more...]
Roads, pollution and fuels focus fleet minds, says Arval Mobility report
Road infrastructure, Clean Air Zones and the adoption of alternative fuels top the list of challenges reported by fleet and mobility managers over the next five years. The finding comes from authoritative new research in the Arval Mobility Observatory, which gains insight from businesses via a wide ranging set of questions to uncover broader trends and concerns. When asked, “What do you see as … [Read more...]
Public transport and tolls key to easing M4 jams
Only a massive shake-up in public transport will relieve M4 congestion around Newport, is the preliminary finding of the South East Wales Transport Commission, but it also hints at road charging congestion tolls to deter peak time users. The report’s findings follow detailed analysis work and stakeholder engagement after it was set up by Welsh Government when First Minister Mark Drakeford … [Read more...]
Jams & bigger bills for commuters
Longer jams and higher insurance premiums will welcome commuters when lockdown ends with indications of an almost doubling in private cars being used to replace public transport, particularly in Wales. Millions of drivers could see a spike in their motor insurance premiums in the coming months as the number of people driving to work increases and face possible fines if they don’t update policies … [Read more...]