Welsh Conservatives will repeal the incoming 20mph speed limit througout Wales if they win a majority in the Senedd elections in May 2026. The pledge to pull the controversial legislation comes as opponents defaced 20mph speed limit signs in Wales just a fortnight before the new law comes into force. After that 20mph road signs are being defaced ahead of Labour’s unpopular rollout on the 17 of … [Read more...]
Finance
Servicing boost follows ageing cars and vans
ATS Euromaster has seen a significant increase in the volume of SMR work it is now completing, with work on brake changes up 27%, commercial vehicle servicing up 41% and the number of MOTs completed increasing by 8%. The tyre and maintenance provider believes a combination of factors is behind the increased SMR workload and is seeking about 100 employees on a rolling basis until the posts have … [Read more...]
Cash for splash is vital, says PRA
The Petrol Retailers Association has joined a coalition of businesses, charities and consumer groups to sign an open letter to Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging the protection of cash as a critical payment method for both consumers and businesses. With the Government currently consulting on its Future of Payments Review, the signatories of the letter are calling on the Treasury to … [Read more...]
Welsh new car sales leap over 26%
The new car market grew 24.4% in August with 85,657 new vehicles registered, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. While August is typically a quieter month with many buyers choosing to wait until the September numberplate change, an increase of 16,799 units means the sector is now entering a second year of growth. Despite this improved performance, … [Read more...]
Plea to councils to keep cash parking
GEM Motoring Assist, the road safety and breakdown organisation, is urging councils across the UK to ensure they continue to allow cash payments for parking. The call follows a raft of letters and emails from GEM members concerned that they will be forced to download smartphone parking apps as traditional pay-and-display options disappear. Particular areas of concern included the multitude of … [Read more...]
Usership replacing ownership among motorists
Traditional car financing could be past its peak as personal leasing, salary sacrifice schemes, and subscriptions rise in popularity along with a growth in electric car sales. The UK’s car finance bubble is on the brink of bursting as demand for new car finance deals slows down dramatically compared to new car sales, according to analysis by The Car Expert. Data from the Finance and Leasing … [Read more...]
Transport fails Wales again
Wales has the highest rate of train cancellations and lateness across the British network. The failings by Welsh Government's services arm Transport for Wales shows cancellations run at 7%. Commenting on the news that stations in Wales had the highest cancellation rate in the UK, at 7%, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS said, “Labour-run Transport for Wales needs to … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 September
The fifth generation, all-electric MINI Cooper will be unveiled at the German Motor Show in Munich this week. It will be available in E or SE grades with 190 or 250 miles range and priced from £30,000 next Spring. EDF’s small and medium-sized enterprise business customers can now save up to 40% on the cost of an electric vehicle through DriveElectric’s salary sacrifice scheme. Building upon … [Read more...]
Unfair settlements highlighted for damaged cars
Research by GAP Insurance provider, ALA Insurance has revealed that the average car owner is offered £286 below market value on claims where their car has been written off. Prompted by the news that Direct Line have been instructed to review unfair settlements from the past five years, ALA analysed over 3,748 claims to show which car makes, specifically receive the lowest payout based on market … [Read more...]
Fuel prices soaring again says RAC Fuel Watch
The price of petrol rocketed by 6.68p a litre in August while diesel shot up by 8p, making for the fifth and sixth biggest monthly rises in 23 years, said RAC Fuel Watch. The average price of unleaded finished August at 152.25p – up from 145.57p at the beginning of the month, adding nearly £4 to a tank (£80 to £83.74). Diesel went up from 146.36p to 154.37p, making a fill-up nearly £4.50 (£4.41) … [Read more...]