The Labour-led Welsh Government wants to further clamp down on drivers. It has published a long awaited anti-air pollution proposal which would see heavily polluting vehicles paying to use some of Wales' busiest roads under a new law. The Welsh government said it would only happen if 50mph zones fail to reduce emissions. Sections of the M4 near Newport and the A470 at Pontypridd have been … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 March
Transport for Wales’ bus replacement of all services on the Conwy Valley route, as well as Wrexham’s Borderlands route is insulting to users of the lines in North Wales who depend on these services to make their regular commutes, said Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Ashgar MS. The entire cancellation of rail services on some North Wales branch lines because of fire risk with … [Read more...]
Welsh rail chaos this week after trains catch fire
Wales' train services face days of disruption this week after 100 cancellations on friday. The Class 175 locomotives were pulled out of service after a series of fires caused by mechanical defects and there is insufficient rolling stock to replace them. Transport for Wales said the services were withdrawn for safety reasons to protect users but the extent of the review and maintentance will … [Read more...]
Mounting opposition to “green-washing” attack on motoring
Low traffic neighbourhoods, so called “clean air zones” and new, underused cycle lanes are all deeply unpopular. So much so that a new petition has recently appeared on the UK Parliament website (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/633504) demanding a revision to the statutory guidance that brought them in. Within days of posting, it has attracted over 1,200 signatories. Instead of there … [Read more...]
Row erupts over axed Welsh roads
Axing plans for a third bridge between Anglesey and the mainland is an "insult" to islanders, said an MS. A roads review has recommended the scheme is parked, despite acknowledging congestion and delays made Anglesey less attractive to investors. Ynys Mon MS Rhun Ap Iorwerth said another Menai Strait crossing was "desperately needed" while residents have been left … [Read more...]
EU laws reform must protect logistics and supply chains
Business group Logistics UK is urging the government to prioritise the needs of the logistics industry, as Parliament continues to debate the Retained EU Law bill. As Kate Jennings, the group’s policy director, explains, while regulatory simplification has its benefits, the scale of the task ahead of the government must not be underestimated if the UK’s highly-interconnected supply chain is to … [Read more...]
20mph limits accelerate Welsh Government spending
The amount of taxpayer money spent on 20mph roads in Wales has exploded by over 500% in just one year, according to the Welsh Conservatives. In response to a written question by the Party, £9.8m was given this year to councils to implement 20mph zones, more than five times the £1.8m spent in 2021/22. The most money this year was awarded to Neath Port Talbot, which received £1.4m, followed by … [Read more...]
Buses need more Welsh investment and planning
Wales can only contribute to the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target if there is long-term investment in the funding of services and infrastructure, so that bus and coach travel can become people’s preferred transport of choice, according to Joshua Miles, Director at the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Wales. “These policies are not designed to bash motorists, instead it is about making bus and … [Read more...]
Hang on, here’s power from above
A new era for the trolley bus and truck could be around the corner. Hofer powertrain, a development and technology partner of the global automotive industry, unveiled a new megawatt charging concept unlocking a whole new dimension of efficiency compared to the present megawatt charging infrastructure. The approach makes e-trucks long-haul capable while ensuring 100 % fleet availability, takes … [Read more...]
Tradelines 4 January
Mercedes-Benz is recalling over 123,600 models made between 2001 and 2011 to check and secure potentially faulty sunroofs sold in the USA. Nearly 80 mid-range models are included over the ten year period and any UK owners who have experienced sunroof issues should contact their local dealer for possible rectification free of charge. Germany's Rheinmetall has won an order worth more than a … [Read more...]