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...]
Wales wins by miles with smiles
Driving is smiles better in Wales. The happiest drivers in the country have been announced with motorists in Wales topping the list, a new study reveals. Experts at LeaseCar.uk have crunched the numbers for each region based on factors which are important to drivers when it comes to having an enjoyable trip. Highest amount of traffic levels, most amount of roads (miles), total number of … [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...]
Mounting opposition to “green-washing” attack on motoring
Low traffic neighbourhoods, so called “clean air zones” and new, underused cycle lanes are all deeply unpopular. So much so that a new petition has recently appeared on the UK Parliament website (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/633504) demanding a revision to the statutory guidance that brought them in. Within days of posting, it has attracted over 1,200 signatories. Instead of there … [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...]
Menai Bridge defects seen in 1990s
Defects which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge last month were identified nearly 30 years ago but not remedied. Commenting on the defect which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge in October was first identified in the 1990s, and will not be partly reopened until next year at the earlierst, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said, “This is an absolute … [Read more...]
Traffic volumes still below pre-pandemic peak
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 it remains vitally important that the … [Read more...]
Holiday crawl begins this week
Huge jams are possible on UK roads at the end of this week as the summer getaway begins in unprecedented heat, says the RAC. Parts of the M4 in South Wales, the M5 in the West Country, M25 around London and the main roads to North Wales, the Lake District and popular coastal spots are expected to be the worst. The RAC is urging every driver to check their car now before setting off, plan a route … [Read more...]
‘Smart motorway’ revisions welcomed by IAM RoadSmart
One death on a smart motorway is one too many, so IAM RoadSmart has welcomed today’s update from National Highways on the Smart Motorway Stocktake and Action Plan, outlining their progress on delivering safer smart motorways. Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research said, "We are now seeing the delivery of safety technology that was promised when the motorway designs were first … [Read more...]