Wales needs a future-proof transport system to face up to the realities of climate change, but ambitious policies have yet to be matched in the scale and pace of delivery, reports the Institute of Welsh Affairs. A new report from the IWA says that Welsh Government is faced with a complex set of challenges, including encouraging take-up of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, … [Read more...]
‘Carmageddon’ predicted for Easter getaway by RAC
More than 14m leisure journeys are expected to be made by car this Easter weekend when the bank holiday collides with most UK schools breaking up, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans from the RAC and INRIX. Data indicates Good Friday could spell some of the worst delays for drivers as an estimated 2.6m getaway trips by car are due to be made on that day alone. This is 600,0000 more … [Read more...]
New Government challenged over fuel and roads
Fairer petrol and diesel pricing (68%) and fewer potholes (66%) are the two areas where motorists most want to see action from 2024’s new government, according to the latest research. Also, 45% would like to see moves made to reduce insurance premiums and 32% want to see traffic congestion tackled, shows March’s new monthly Used Car Tracker from Startline Motor Finance. Paul Burgess, CEO at … [Read more...]
Yellow “money-boxes” for Welsh capital, drivers warned
Cardiff's yellow box junctions are cash machines for the city council, according to analysis by the RAC, which has been looking at their legal implications. Almost every yellow box junction of 100 analysed in London and Cardiff is bigger than it needs to be to prevent traffic congestion, leading to countless unnecessary fines for drivers, a new study commissioned for the RAC has found. The RAC … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 March
About 9% of commuters to Cardiff spend over an hour a week sitting in traffic, they told pollsters for CarMats. This contrasts with more than a quarter of drivers stuck in Edinburgh's jams or 22% in London and Leeds while the least time was reported by drivers in Norwich. The KIA EV9 has won two major awards for 2024. It was last week voted UK Car of the Year and also Worldwide Women's Car of … [Read more...]
Welsh Labour Government move to restrict private cars
The Welsh Labour Government want to discourage all private car use and encourage voters to jump on buses and trains. Deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters has written to opposition leader Andrew R T Davies who questioned the stated policy on new road building in the controversial Welsh Roads Review and told him, "We confirmed that we will continue to consider investment in roads 'to … [Read more...]
20mph protest convoy planned
A new protest convoy is being organised to highlight continued opposition to the default 20mph speed limit in Wales. Running along part of the North Wales coast, it aims to show how congested roads could become when the tourism season gets underway in a few months. Organisers anticipate 50 vehicles will join a cavalcade that will set off from Llandudno and pass through Penrhyn Bay, Rhos on Sea … [Read more...]
Public transport is failing Cardiff, says expert
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...]