As farmers begin the harvest season and agricultural traffic increases, leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging all rural road users to take extra care over the coming months. The harvest season is already underway in many places, with livestock farmers making their vital first cut of silage to build stores to feed cattle through next winter. Silage cutting is followed by hay making, generally … [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...]
Newslines 28 April
Skoda will launch six new pure electric models across its entire range by 2026. The VW Group member also plans to continue with petrol and PHEV models over the introduction period. Pembroke Dock (66.2%) and Aberystwyth (65.0%) have two of the highest pass rates for learners in Britain, says Aviva insurance. Latest figures from the DVSA show a national pass rate of 48.4% with a quarter of … [Read more...]
More speed cameras to enforce 20mph zones
Extra cash is being provided to pay for additional speed camera enforcement to police new 20mph default speed limit. Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport Natasha Asghar MS said, “In addition to the £33 million cost of the Welsh Government’s 20mph zone vanity project, it has now been revealed that additional funding will be provided to enforce this new speed limit. "Many … [Read more...]
A55 improvements marked
The completion of the safety and improvement work on the Aber Tai’r Meibion section of the A55, which includes a new active travel route, has been officially marked by the Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths. The £30m scheme, which includes £20.7m EU funding, addresses the increased risk of flooding due to climate change and also improves safety on the section which was over 50 years old. … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 April
Major investment by Caterham owner VT Holdings will increase production capacity by 50% to approximately 750 units per annum. New headquarters will house the production, engineering, motorsport and commercial teams and is due for completion by the end of this year. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating the launch of the new California Surf with a variety of finance offers until Sunday … [Read more...]
Smart motorways – what’s next?
Following a report in the i newpaper that suggests the Government may no longer build all-lane running smart motorways in the future, the RAC has expressed its concerns.. RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said, “If Ministers are giving serious consideration to completely scrapping new all-lane-running smart motorways, then this is an admission that the Government no longer has faith in these … [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...]
Welsh councils filling more potholes at higher costs
This year’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance survey makes bleak reading, with worsening carriageway conditions and mounting costs set to spell more misery for road users. The ALARM survey, published today by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, reports that local authority highway teams in England and Wales only received around two-thirds of what they needed to stop our local roads from further … [Read more...]