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...]
Coaches curtailing services next week
National Express long distance coaches is advising passengers to check online before they travel as it introduces an extensive reduction to its timetable from 00:01 Tuesday 24 March 2020. The coach operator will be temporarily running limited services across its scheduled national network in response to the impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19). This also follows the slashing of train services to … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 March
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Row erupts over Welsh road and parking charges
Welsh Conservatives have angrily reacted to plans for Motorists in Wales paying road tolls, congestion charges, workplace and out of town parking charges under a review ordered by Minister of Economy and Transport Ken Skates. He has appointed Derek Turner, who worked on the London congestion charge scheme, to study the implications for users and businesses as Welsh Government invests in and … [Read more...]
Call on Chancellor to push green drive
With the ban on new diesel and petrol cars brought forward to 2035, wednesday’s Budget is the time for the Government to put its money where its mouth is. There’s no doubt that alternative fuel vehicles are the future, but the motor industry needs support if it’s to hit the goal, said Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. “For drivers, it’s time to see mandatory … [Read more...]
Cardiff’s “valleys tax” faces challenge
Opponents of Cardiff’s controversial Clean Air Zone plan for the city will be heartened after a similar scheme for Coventry was rejected by the UK Government. The government’s dismissal of a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Coventry is the right decision for the local economy and the city’s long-term air quality prospects, according to FTA, the only business group representing all the logistics … [Read more...]