Traffic volumes appear to still be below pre-pandemic levels with flexible working patterns that have become commonplace across the UK likely to be a major factor, said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes. "Nonetheless, the trend is upwards, especially so for vans and HGVs – both of which show higher traffic volumes than prior to the pandemic. Therefore … [Read more...]
It’s getting tougher for Welsh automotive sector
The UK Automotive industry is unlikely to return to previous high levels of production and component suppliers in Wales must look elsewhere to survive, delegates to the Autolink 2022 conference were told yesterday. The gloomy outlook and warning was given by Prof Ian Henry, managing director of AutoAnalysis and a HM Government advisor on the motor industry … [Read more...]
Car-parts makers face unprecedented change
The speed of change for the automotive industry is accelerating and also diversifying, according to the latest analysis by the car maker's component suppliers body. The results of the latest CLEPA Pulse Check survey reflect the expectations of automotive suppliers and provides an outlook into an increasingly volatile business environment, with the … [Read more...]
Cars now more appreciated than before pandemic
Disruption during the Covid crisis changed Britain's driving habits, but motorists emerged loving their cars even more, according to Auto Express. Two years on from Britain's first Covid lockdown, a third of all drivers appreciate their car more than ever, even though a majority drive less often for leisure and personal reasons today than before the … [Read more...]
Welsh engineering company closes after 75 years
Allevard Springs will close its South Wales car components plant. About 60 jobs will go. The company moved to Tonypandy as part of the UK Government’s encouragement to boost jobs in South Wales following WW2 and it started production in 1947 for Land Rover. Work expanded and it was a significant supplier to car and light commercial vehicles over the next … [Read more...]
SUVs dominate used sales & Fiesta is most popular
SUVs were the fastest selling used cars of 2021, while the Ford Fiesta has retained its title of the most popular overall for the seventh year in a row. The Mercedes GLA has been crowned the fastest selling used car of the year, with examples of the luxury German model (below) spending the shortest time on the AA Cars platform before being snapped up by … [Read more...]
Drivers’ bootcamp squares up to challenges
The Government's plans to boost training for HGV Driver candidates has been welcomed by Logistics UK’s Deputy Director Public Policy, Alex Veitch. He said, “The introduction of HGV Skills Bootcamps will help to attract new individuals into the workforce and are another welcome measure to tackle the driver shortage; Logistics UK is looking forward to … [Read more...]
Fleets changing plans in face of Omicron
Fleets are responding to the increased level of Covid threat seen in recent weeks by returning to homeworking and readopting a range of other measures designed to minimise risk, reports FleetCheck. The fleet software company says that the emergence of the Omicron strain of the virus, generally higher levels of cases, and the reintroduction of mask … [Read more...]
Train-safe campaign launches for Christmas season
British Transport Police and Transport for Wales has launched a joint operation this Christmas to keep passengers across Wales safe during the festive season. Operation Genesis will see extra officers and rail staff out across the network throughout the month to help anyone who needs it. With emphasis on Fridays and Saturdays during December, the … [Read more...]
Commuters carried Covid contagion to communities
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 … [Read more...]
