Commuters moving between different counties increased COVID cases in the UK significantly before lockdown was imposed, according to new research by Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). The study, conducted by Professor Thomas Plümper, looked into spatial contagion between local counties in England and found that cross district spatial contagion adds a very important amplifier to an … [Read more...]
Tradelines 28 April
Swansea University is celebrating a landmark 50,000 journeys being made by the Santander Cycles bike share scheme – proving how the scheme has gone from strength to strength in the city since its launch in July 2018. The convenient and affordable city-wide scheme run by leading bikeshare provider nextbike, in conjunction with Santander and Swansea University has been a hit with students, tourists … [Read more...]
Britain’s roads are falling apart & motorists pay the price
Despite the lockdown, RAC patrols went to the aid of a staggering 4,694 drivers as a result of hitting a pothole in Q1 2021 – the equivalent of 52 drivers every day. Incredibly, this represents a three-fold increase in the number of pothole-related breakdowns from the last quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021, up 3,233 from 1,461 in Q4 2020 and is the largest rise between quarters the RAC … [Read more...]
Newslines 30 March
Drivers are planning just 5.6m trips by car to see friends and family this Easter when Covid restrictions allow, the lowest number since the RAC began tracking motorists’ plans in 2014. Despite the easing of the national lockdown on Monday when the two household and ‘rule of 6’ regulations come in, the RAC Breakdown survey of 1,200 drivers suggests many people remain cautious about meeting up … [Read more...]
Local roads are in dangerous conditions, say motorists
More than half of UK motorists (53%) say the condition of their local roads is getting worse every year and 47% say their local roads are in a dangerous state.The dissatisfaction is greater amongst drivers over 55, according to a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers by InsuretheGap, a provider of Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance.Three fifths (62%) of over 55s say the condition of local … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 March
Welsh roads have seen a rise in traffic in recent weeks, compared with the first national lockdown a year ago. Some areas recorded almost double the amount of vehicles, Traffic Wales and Welsh Government figures reveal with Conwy experiencing a 94.2% rise and there has been a 62% rise in road use across Wales over the most recent six weeks compared with the first six full weeks of restrictions … [Read more...]
Five myths about road gritting are busted.
The onset of winter sees the return of gritting lorries on roads across the UK. In addition to clearing snow and ice, specialist operators The Gritting Company is keen to dispel five myths about road gritting: Myth 1: “The winter wagons contain grit.” Untrue. It’s not grit, it’s salt. The small stones that make up grit can leave a sticky residue with the risk of a slippery road … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
Drivers were collectively planning about 13m separate trips by car to see family and friends during the coronavirus ‘travel window’ between 23 and 27 December, although a fifth (22%) don’t expect to make any such journeys this year because of the virus, research by RAC Breakdown suggests. With two weeks to go until Christmas, the greatest number of individual trips – some 3.1m – look likely to … [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...]
M4 congestion report wants more trains – and cycleways
Welsh Shadow Minister for Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure Russel George MS has criticised the report into plans to tackle congestion on the M4 which he says do not put sufficient emphasis on the need for a relief road. Mr George said, “Let’s be clear: Welsh Conservatives are firm believers in tackling the problem of congestion on the M4 into and out of South Wales though a … [Read more...]
