Fairer petrol and diesel pricing (68%) and fewer potholes (66%) are the two areas where motorists most want to see action from 2024’s new government, according to the latest research. Also, 45% would like to see moves made to reduce insurance premiums and 32% want to see traffic congestion tackled, shows March’s new monthly Used Car Tracker from Startline Motor Finance. Paul Burgess, CEO at … [Read more...]
Welsh Labour fear losing Senedd over 20mph limit
Welsh Labour fear losing Senedd control in 2026 over their introduction of the 20mph speed limit default, claim Conservative opponents. Confirming a Conservative majority in Cardiff Bay would immediately repeal the legislation and commenting on the news that an overwhelming majority of people surveyed say 20mph speed limits has affected their lives for the worse, Welsh Conservative Shadow … [Read more...]
Traffic volumes still below pre-pandemic peak
Traffic volumes appear to still be below pre-pandemic levels with flexible working patterns that have become commonplace across the UK likely to be a major factor, said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes. "Nonetheless, the trend is upwards, especially so for vans and HGVs – both of which show higher traffic volumes than prior to the pandemic. Therefore it remains vitally important that the … [Read more...]
UK not ready for big switch onto electric cars, report
More than 6.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) have been sold worldwide, and that number is set to grow due to the phasing-out of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from as soon as 2025 (Norway), with the UK targeting 2030 and the 27 EU member states EU aiming for 2035. In anticipation of this, personal finance guidance and comparison website Forbes Advisor has looked at EV-readiness around … [Read more...]
Dangers of private scooters – warning
There is a world of safety difference between e-scooter rental schemes and the use of private e-scooters, says the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS). Any evaluation of rental trials cannot and should not be automatically applied to regulations for private e-scooters. The safety of private e-scooters in the UK, an interim report from PACTS shows, that … [Read more...]
Roads and signs need recycling to pay for green drive
Road surfaces will have to be recycled along with old signs as part of the Government drive towards a greener future, says one engineering company. Rishi Sunak set out his first Spending Review against the backdrop of an economy ravaged by the effects of Covid-19. The Chancellor announced measures to support Boris Johnson’s “levelling-up” agenda with the publication of the National … [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...]
Welsh ratepayers want better roads to reduce stress
Potholes continue to cause despair and anger for motorists up and down the land, with these menaces costing British car owners £4bn in repair bills annually. Such is the gravity of people wishing to see the back of them, the government announced a £2.5bn fund to tackle the issue during the latest Budget, whilst councils have been using the lockdown period to ramp up their pothole filling … [Read more...]
40M vehicles now used in UK
The number of vehicles registered for use on British roads has surpassed 40 million for the first time, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK’s largest automotive analysis reveals that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use in the UK in 2019, representing a 1.0% increase on the previous year. Light commercial vehicles saw the … [Read more...]
Roads falling apart faster, says industry body
Britain's roads are crumbling at an increasing rate and need much more investment in major and minor spending than has been used or promised, according to the maintenance industry. This morning's Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey of UK roads is in its 25th year, is launched at a time of unprecedented challenges due to the spread of COVID-19, and understandably, the country’s … [Read more...]