The poorest will be hit hardest by future car bans in cities, say filling station owners. While there is a need to reduce tailpipe emissions, especially in cities, local mayors should be mindful that any extra charges will significantly impact low income households who are already struggling with high energy costs, said Gordon Balmer Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, … [Read more...]
The coming of autonomous vehicles
Last year, the UK became the first country to allow self-driving cars on motorways at low speed, but the reality is still many years away for the country as a whole. The country is making incredible progress in the trials for autonomous vehicles and is funding innovative projects that will pave the way towards the transport revolution. Technological advancements in terms of AVs are at the … [Read more...]
Mid-sized vans face new EU examination for operators
New regulations that bring smaller light commercial vehicles travelling to the EU under the requirement to have an International Operator’s Licence will place key demands on fleets in the future, says FleetCheck. The fleet software company reports that, from 2 May, all organisations running LCVs of between 2.5-3.5 tonnes will need to obtain the accreditation as part of the UK-EU Trade and … [Read more...]
Seven ways to slash car insurance
The fastest rise in the cost of living for a decade is going to put more pressure on hard-pressed families this year, so saving money on day-to-day expenses is all the more important. Fortunately, when it comes to motoring insurance there are straightforward ways to keep costs down. Car insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk offers some handy tips to save the pounds: Check your … [Read more...]
Welsh engineering company closes after 75 years
Allevard Springs will close its South Wales car components plant. About 60 jobs will go. The company moved to Tonypandy as part of the UK Government’s encouragement to boost jobs in South Wales following WW2 and it started production in 1947 for Land Rover. Work expanded and it was a significant supplier to car and light commercial vehicles over the next 70 years but the contraction in vehicle … [Read more...]
Tap and go transport trial in Wales
London-style tap and go ticketing will be tested on some Welsh bus and train services. Transport for Wales is gearing up to pilot pay-as-you-go ticketing on trains and buses – something the Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called for. It will mean passengers can tap their bank cards on the barrier gates to travel on trains and buses, similar to the set up in London. Since being elected to … [Read more...]
Learners still let down by Government testing system
The pressures around learning to drive and passing a driving test will continue into 2022. According to a survey of 150 driving instructors from across the country undertaken by Young Driver, 70 per cent say they still have a waiting list for starting lessons – with 39 per cent of those admitting pupils are in for a long wait before they can begin learning. Sixty six per cent of the … [Read more...]
Premiums dip before expected rise this month
Insurance premiums hit a seven year low at the end of 2021. The average annual car insurance premium declined by £80 year-on-year in Q4 (September – November), according to the latest Premium Drivers research from comparethemarket.com. The average premium is now £640, compared to an average of £721 for the same three-month period in 2020. The decline in the insurance prices also means this is … [Read more...]
400 stopped trying to board holiday trains
Figures from British Transport Police reveal that over 400 people were ejected from stations across Wales during the festive season, as part of a joint operation with Transport for Wales to keep passengers safe. Focused mainly on Fridays and Saturdays over the Christmas period, Operation Genesis saw an increase in high-visibility patrols on trains and at stations, as well as covert policing to … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 December
Holiday motorists are expected to clock up 3.2bn Christmas miles to see family and friends, according to a poll of 2,500 drivers conducted by the RAC. With weather forecasts pointing to the possibility of strong winds, rain, sleet and even snow for some in time for the 25th, the fears of bad Christmas driving conditions shared by 59% of drivers might turn out to be true. Most car buyers fail to … [Read more...]