Cardiff's very high levels of congestion is much more than an inconvenience for commuters – it is causing lasting harm to the city as a whole, according to Victoria Winckler, Director The Bevan Foundation. Commenting on a research paper by the Centre for Cities think tank, she said the underlying causes of traffic queues in Cardiff are different to other cities in Wales, the UK and Europe. The … [Read more...]
AI is key to future road transport solving
Decarbonisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are two of the hottest topics of conversation within the highways and transportation sector. Decarbonisation is a cornerstone of government policy, and it is critical in tackling climate change and achieving net zero. AI is heralded as a revolutionary approach that has the potential to accelerate our transport decarbonisation ambition in many … [Read more...]
Concerns of more lower speed limits around the corner
A Welsh Government Minister has refused to rule out more speed limit reductions on major roads after fighting off an opposition bid to scrap the 20mph default limit beginning Sunday. After losing the vote to Labour and Plaid Cymru members in the Senedd, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar, MS said, “Labour and Plaid Cymru refused to listen to public opinion, I sought … [Read more...]
14 Million motorists expected on holiday weekend roads
More than 14m drivers are set to make leisure trips this bank holiday weekend – nearly 2m more than last year, says the RAC. Saturday is expected to be the busiest ‘getaway’ day of the weekend on the roads, with the RAC’s research of 2,316 UK drivers showing as many as 3.1m separate trips are due to be taken. Friday is forecast to be the next busiest with 2.8m trips planned, followed by … [Read more...]
Senedd debate 20mph limit
In the Senedd today, there will a debate on a petition signed by over 21,000 people demanding the Labour Government does not push ahead with its disastrous plan to reduce the default speed limit on Wales’ roads from 30mph to 20mph. Commenting on the petition, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS said, "The people of Wales are clear, they don’t want default 20mph speed … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 June
All the EU’s four largest car markets grew, with the strongest gains in Italy (+23.1%), Germany (+19.2%), and France (+14.8%). From January to May 2023, the EU car market grew by 18%, to 4.4 million registered cars and BEVs jumped to 13.8% to 129,847 models. About 210,000 people will attend Glastonbury Festival this week, with nearly all arriving by road. Motoring organisations are advising … [Read more...]
Dangers of beer goggles and road rage
Good weather, the Coronation, and a rise in staycations are all likely to increase the practice opportunities – and challenges – for learner drivers this May, with many introduced to ‘holiday traffic for the first time this weekend. There are expected to be jams on the M4 at Newport, Port Talbot and the end of the motorway at Pont Abraham with busy traffic over the Brecon Beacons, around the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line … [Read more...]
Beware motorway closures before Easter getaway
Overnight motorway closures are planned across the UK from this weekend and threaten holiday plans of motorists, according to Select Car Leasing. The works on nearly all motorways are being carried out before the traditional Easter rush, but their night-time plans may hit families who like to travel when the roads are normally quieter but who will face unexpected detours. Graham … [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...]