With the UK expecting severe weather later this week, BCA, Europe’s leading used car marketplace, is preparing itself for a rise in demand for 4x4s. As Stuart Pearson, Managing Director, BCA UK Remarketing explained, there was a steady interest in 4x4s throughout 2016, but the sudden drop in temperatures, with icy and even snowy conditions forecast across the country, is likely to mean that … [Read more...]
Costs exceed income for pothole repairs
The bottom is dropping out of the pothole budget this year, say councils. Repair costs are fast exceeding the money allocated to repair the crumbling road network and now the Local Government Association says 2017 will be the tipping point. That will be when the costs escalate inside two years to £14 Billion but the money coming in is falling and roads will be left unrepaired. The LGA … [Read more...]
Newslines 6 January
Petrol and diesel prices rose by around 3p a litre in December taking them to their highest average since July 2015. RAC Fuel Watch data for the last month of 2016 showed unleaded hit 117.23p a litre and diesel 119.63p having been 114.24p and 116.56p a litre at the beginning of the month as petrol went up the most in Scotland and the north east while it rose 3.07ppl in Wales to 116.57ppl and on … [Read more...]
Newslines 30 December
Motorists are being urged to get their new year off to a strong start rather than a non-start by making sure they give every car they rely on a good run before the major January return to work on Tuesday 3 January. On the first working day of 2016, 4 January, the RAC had its busiest day of the year, attending nearly 10,000 breakdowns – a 40% increase on a typical day – with a third of these … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 December
The £50m A486 Ceredigion link road is now officially open after Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates marked the completion of the £5.7m stretch from Post Bach to Synod Inn. Designed by Capita and constructed by Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, this last part of the wider scheme has seen construction of approximately 3km of highway realignment, including a 7.3m wide single … [Read more...]
New law to tighten up whiplash claims
A Government U-turn on legislation which will outlaw whiplash claims has been welcomed by motoring groups. In October, the Government said it did not see any need to change the law which has seen a dramatic escalation in false injury claims, but now there will be another look at the problem. The AA has welcomed the change of heart by the Ministry of Justice in setting new plans for further … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 November
Roads around Aberystwyth have been blocked by fallen trees after strong winds battered the area yesterday. Some roads in the town and surrounding villages were also affected by fallen roof tiles, power lines and masonry after what some termed a freak tornado. Car parking charges and penalties made Welsh councils a profit of £13.8m in 2015/16, says the RAC Foundation. Of 22 councils, 19 … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 November
Cardiff council is warning of traffic disruption on Saturday. City centre roads will be partially closed for the rugby international in the afternoon and early evening while heavy traffic is expected around the City Stadium for the Wales v Serbia football match Saturday evening. Welsh Government will insist on new rolling stock, with access improvements and more seating on future rail … [Read more...]
Diesel to be demonised?
The RAC’s worried that diesel drivers could be charged to enter more city centres following the High Court ruling that the Government failed to meet European emission standards. Some predict the Government will have to take drastic action or face penalties and that could mean insisting cities and towns implement congestion charging to discourage diesels in particular. RAC roads policy … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 October
The major route through West Wales will be closed this weekend. The A48 will close in both directions from the Nantycaws turning to Carmarthen from 19:00 on Friday until 06:00 Monday for emergency work needed to repair a leaking kerosene spill from a national pipeline under the dual carriageway road and diversions will be signposted along the former A48 single carriageway road into Carmarthen … [Read more...]