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...]
Over £3M spent on 50mph Welsh speed cameras
Over £3m of taxpayer money has been spent by the Welsh Government installing speed cameras on five stretches of major Welsh roads. A written question from the Welsh Conservatives has shown £3.34m was spent on installing speed cameras on the M4 in Newport and Port Talbot as well the A470 in Pontypridd, A483 in Wrexham, and A494 in Deeside. Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister … [Read more...]
19.6M trips expected on UK roads this week
Drivers will make an estimated 19.6m separate trips by car to see friends and family this week, with 40% of all getaway journeys crammed into just two days, according to new predictions by the RAC and INRIX. Leisure traffic is expected to build steadily through the course of the week, peaking on both ‘frantic’ Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th December with a predicted 7.9m getaways over the two … [Read more...]