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Government pledges £8.3bn to repair UK roads
The government has committed to spending £8.3 billion to fix Britain’s roads, which have been plagued by potholes. This money will be redirected from the scaled-back HS2 high-speed rail line.
This fund will be enough to resurface over 5000 miles of road and will be distributed to councils across the country for projects over the next 11 years.
It is the largest road-specific fund ever announced in the UK.
Transport secretary Mark Harper confirmed that each local authority will receive £150 million, with an additional £150 million for 2024/2025 and the rest of the funding allocated through to 2034.
Of the total funding, £3.3 billion will be allocated to the North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber; £2.2 billion for the West Midlands and East Midlands; and £2.8 billion for the East of England, South East, South West, and, for the first time in 8 years, London.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “For too long politicians have avoided making long-term decisions to improve people’s lives, and addressing potholes is a clear example. Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in costly vehicle repairs, allowing motorists to keep more money in their pockets.”
Harper added, “Most people use the roads, and potholes can cause problems for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and unsafe journeys. Today’s significant funding increase for local road improvements is a win for all road users, who will benefit from smoother, faster, and safer trips, as we redirect HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
The new funding also includes an additional £70 million earmarked for updating 20mph zone guidance to prevent inappropriate blanket use, and measures to accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle charging.
New £8.3bn road fund welcomed
The fund has received the support of some of the UK’s largest insurers and motoring groups.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams stated that smoother, well-maintained roads could save drivers up to £440 each in repair costs from pothole damage.
He welcomed the news, saying, “Drivers’ biggest complaint is the poor condition of local roads, so the fact that the Government has found significant additional revenue should give councils the funding certainty they need to plan proper long-term road maintenance, something we have been advocating for many years.”
“We hope local authorities will use the money effectively by resurfacing the worst roads, maintaining those in reasonable condition for longer through surface dressing, and filling potholes as permanently as possible where necessary,” he added.
Britain’s Quietest Roads Revealed
- New research from Jeep UK has revealed Britain’s major roads used by the fewest number of vehicles each day
- The A844 on the Isle of Bute is Britain’s quietest major road with an average of just 77 vehicles estimated to use it on a daily basis
- Top 10 features A-roads all located in Scotland across the Highlands, Orkney, Isle of Islay and the Shetland Islands
- The A4085 in Eryri (Snowdonia) is the quietest major road outside of Scotland
- The A686 in the North Pennines is the quietest road on mainland England
A list of Britain’s quietest major roads has been revealed, with research showing that some routes are almost entirely traffic-free.
The analysis of road traffic statistics from the Department for Transport1 by Jeep UK found that a section of the A844 on the Isle of Bute in Scotland is Britain’s quietest major road. It is estimated that an average of just 77 vehicles travel the five-mile-long stretch of road between the B881 and B878 junctions each day in both directions – fewer than four vehicles per hour.
The road passes Scalpsie Bay, which is the ideal location to spot seals thanks to the large colony that resides there. Census data shows that the population on Bute is in decline, perhaps explaining why the A844 is now ranked as Britain’s quietest major road.
In comparison, Britain’s busiest road – the M25 motorway surrounding Greater London – typically sees more than 200,000 vehicles per day between certain junctions.
In a close second is the A838 near Lairg in the Scottish Highlands. The road cuts through the centre of the popular North Coast 500 tourist route yet sees an average of just 88 vehicles per day travelling along the 34-mile length of road. Despite its A-road categorisation, it is a single-track road with dedicated passing places, but thanks to good visibility it is still a highly enjoyable road for driving enthusiasts. The road offers breath-taking mountainous views of the northern Highlands and runs parallel to a number of secluded lochs.
Completing the top three is a stretch of the A941 between the villages of Elrick and Rhynie, northeast of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. An average of just 113 vehicles use this stretch of road each day.
Outside of Scotland, the quietest major road can be found in Wales along a six-mile length of the A4085. With only 318 vehicles estimated to travel the single-carriageway every day, the road is ideal for those seeking a quiet Welsh road set in the country’s infamous Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. The road parallels the Welsh Highland Railway – a heritage line that offers passengers magnificent views of the surrounding mountainous countryside.
In second place is the A3110 on the Isles of Scilly, seeing just 324 vehicles on average per day. With just over 2,000 residents living on the islands, and only a small number of vehicles between them, it is no surprise that the A3110 ranks highly. Rounding off the top three outside of Scotland is the A4069 in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Wales, with 397 vehicles per day.
On mainland England, a short one-mile section of the A686 near the village of Langley takes the top spot with 511 vehicles per day. The whole road, which spans the North Pennines National Park, offers outstanding scenic views of northern England. In second place is the adjoining A689, with the A3078 in Cornwall rounding off the top three.
Kris Cholmondeley, Managing Director at Jeep UK, commented: “At Jeep, we’re all for taking the road less travelled. By shining a light on the most traffic-free roads, we hope Jeep owners will be encouraged to explore some of these more remote and beautiful parts of the country and escape the rush of everyday life.
“With more than 40 million vehicles now on UK roads, most places are more congested than ever, but our research proves it’s still possible to enjoy wonderfully peaceful stretches of road that showcase some the nation’s most picturesque locations.”
The research by Jeep UK was completed as part of its newly launched Compass ‘Any Excuse to Get Lost’ campaign to encourage owners to escape the rush of everyday life by revealing some of the UK’s most scenic and lesser-known locations.
Priced from £34,580 OTR, the Jeep Compass C-SUV is designed for adventurers looking to explore places that are off the beaten track, in keeping the brand’s ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ philosophy.
It is available with two advanced electrified powertrains: the Compass e-Hybrid mild hybrid (MHEV) and Compass 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, blending fuel efficiency with the renowned off-road capabilities of Jeep. It produces a combined power output of 240hp and 270Nm of torque, and is capable of offering up to 30 miles (WLTP) zero-emissions freedom in full-electric mode.
Top 10 quietest major roads in Britain:
|
Ranking |
Road Name |
Start/End Point |
Location |
Estimated Daily Traffic Count |
|
1 |
A844 |
B881/B878 |
Isle of Bute, Scotland |
77 |
For more information on the Jeep range, visit www.jeep.co.uk.
ENDS
Sources:
- Data sourced from the Department for Transport (www.roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/downloads). Figures obtained from the ‘AADF Data – major and minor roads’ data set, and reference the average annual daily flow (the number of vehicles that travel past (in both directions) the location on an average day of the year) in 2022. Figures are obtained using estimation based on the last available average annual daily flow measured using a manual or automatic traffic count. Some roads have been omitted from the lists where factors such as road closures have resulted in data anomalies.
Jeep Brand
Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep® is the authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability, interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4×4 line-up, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand’s off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into the new 4×4 in pursuit of the brand’s vision of accomplishing Zero Emission Freedom and added 4×4 capability. All Jeep brand vehicles will offer an electrified variant by 2025.
Contacts
Alice Cross-Watson, PR Manager, Jeep
alice.cross-watson@jeep.com
07395 375272
Experience the Thrill of a 950-HP McLaren 720S on the Autobahn
The unrestricted parts of the autobahn offer a rare opportunity to test a car’s top speed without the fear of hefty speeding fines. In this exciting video from AutoTopNL, we witness a modified McLaren 720S with upgraded turbos, generating an impressive 950 horsepower.
Initially, the autobahn is quite busy, forcing the driver to exercise caution. However, as the traffic gradually clears, he seizes the opportunity to accelerate to a breathtaking GPS-indicated speed of 195 miles per hour (313 kilometers per hour).
Spot the Changes on the Facelifted Porsche Taycan
The facelifted Porsche Taycan is well into its development stage, undergoing testing on the Nurburgring and nearby roads. The camouflaging is limited to the headlights, giving us a clear view of the styling updates. The car is expected to be available for purchase in 2024.
The revised Taycan boasts a completely redesigned front end. The lower fascia now features angular sections that lead to inlets in the corners, creating a more complex shape. The bottom portion has a more horizontal layout. The headlights are now seamlessly integrated into the bodywork.
The profile of the Taycan remains largely unchanged. However, it sports a new set of wheels with five black spokes and a white rim.
At the rear, the Taycan receives a re-sculpted bumper with a slightly sharper appearance. The taillight strip still stretches across the entire width of the car.
Understanding the Fire Risk of Electric Vehicles
With the increasing popularity of electric cars in the UK, concerns about their safety, specifically regarding car fires, are arising.
While it is true that both petrol and diesel cars have the potential to catch fire (as demonstrated by past incidents such as the Vauxhall Zafira fires), electric vehicle (EV) fires tend to attract more attention.
How common are electric car fires?
Although electric car fires often make headlines, they are not actually common occurrences. According to Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, there were 239 EV-related fires recorded in the UK between July 2022 and June 2023.
It is worth noting that while this shows an 83% increase compared to the previous year, the number has risen in line with the growing presence of electric vehicles on the roads.
In comparison, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service reported 1,898 fires from petrol and diesel vehicles in 2019, with only 54 fires from EVs.
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency revealed that petrol and diesel cars are 19 times more likely to catch fire than EVs.
Why do electric car fires attract so much attention?
Several factors contribute to the increased attention given to electric car fires. Firstly, the technology is still relatively new and therefore considered newsworthy. Additionally, EV fires tend to be complex incidents that are often accompanied by highly toxic fumes, distinctive hissing noises, and directed jets of flames, which may be followed by an explosion.
Moreover, extinguishing electric car fires can be extremely challenging. The fire may appear to be out, only to reignite hours, days, or even weeks later.
Considering these factors, it is understandable why electric car fires raise concerns, particularly among those responsible for firefighting.
How do fire crews handle EV fires?
Fire services are developing new strategies to handle electric car fires. For instance, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service announced that one of their fire engines will accompany the recovery vehicle back to their facility after an incident involving an EV to assist with any potential fires.
Moreover, the service has implemented a system to help fire crews identify the EV model involved in an incident and locate its battery and isolation switches.
Experts have differing opinions on the best approach to tackle an EV fire. Generally, the standard method involves using large amounts of water to cool the battery pack (although this may not prevent the fire from reigniting), a fire blanket to suppress flames, and breathing equipment to protect firefighters from toxic fumes. In some cases, allowing the fire to burn itself out is also a feasible approach.
Attempts to suffocate the fire using inert gases are typically ineffective since the fire does not require oxygen due to its chemical nature. Additionally, the surrounding area must be thoroughly examined for battery cells that may have been propelled from the pack during an explosion and could potentially ignite later.
White, Black, Gray Dominate Our Car Landscape, Except In Alaska
White, black, gray, and silver cars dominate the car landscape in the US, according to a study by iSeeCars. These grayscale colors make up 78.9 percent of vehicles on the road, an increase from 78.6 percent in 2022 and 77.2 percent in 2018. However, the distribution of these colors varies across the country. White is the most popular car color, adorning 26.2 percent of used cars in 2023, up from 23.3 percent in 2018. The share of black cars decreased to 21.8 percent, while gray cars saw an increase from 15.2 percent to 19.2 percent. On the other hand, silver cars experienced a decline from 15.1 percent to 11.7 percent. Blue and red switched positions, with blue now being the fifth most popular color at 9.8 percent and red ranking sixth at 8.2 percent. The top six colors, including the grayscale shades, account for 96.8 percent of all vehicles. The remaining colors, such as green, brown, orange, beige, purple, gold, and yellow, make up the remaining percentage. Alaska stands out as the state with the most colorful cars, with over a quarter of its vehicles having non-grayscale colors. Blue is the most popular non-grayscale color in Alaska at 13.5 percent. Hawaii, on the other hand, has the least colorful cars, with 28.6 percent being white and only 16.3 percent being blue. This may be attributed to the large number of rental vehicles in Hawaii, which are often white. The study analyzed over 10 million used vehicles sold between 2018 and 2023 to compile its data.
Philippine Motorcycle Sales Increase by 4.7% in the First Half of 2023
In Asian countries, motorcycles are the dominant mode of transportation and are widely used for personal mobility and delivery services. This is especially true in countries like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In the Philippines, motorcycle sales have experienced a significant uptick in the first half of 2023. According to a report by the Members of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc. (MDPPA), which includes major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, a total of 932,220 motorcycles from these brands were sold from January to July 2023. This represents a notable increase compared to the same period in the previous year, where 890,720 motorcycles were sold.
This translates to a significant 4.7% increase in sales from January to July 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The MDPPA has set a goal to achieve a steady 5% growth rate for the remainder of 2023. It is forecasted that the motorcycle sales from these major manufacturers will reach a total of 1.6 million for 2023, surpassing the impressive 1.5 million motorcycles sold in 2022.
It’s worth noting that while the majority of motorcycle sales in the Philippines come from the MDPPA member companies, there are also other large manufacturers making their presence felt in the country. CFMoto, for example, has gained a massive following in the premium segment, particularly with its affordable models like the 450NK, which have made the big bike market more accessible. Other premium brands such as KTM, BMW, and Ducati also hold a significant market share in the premium segment.
In addition to the growth in motorcycle sales, the Philippines is also experiencing an increase in local production. While the big four manufacturers already have local manufacturing facilities in the country, several newcomers have also established their presence in recent years. KTM, for example, produces its 200, 250, 390, and 790 series motorcycles in the Philippines and sells and exports them to nearby markets. Data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Automotive Federation shows that motorcycle and scooter production in the country grew by 57.4% in the first half of 2023.
Porsche Macan EV Spotted Without Camouflage
Porsche has been testing the electric version of the Macan on public roads for almost two years. The vehicle is set to make its official debut next year. However, you don’t have to wait to see what it looks like. New spy photos have emerged, showing a prototype of the Macan EV with minimal camouflage.
These latest photos provide the best view of the Macan EV yet, revealing its front fascia with Taycan-inspired headlights. While there are some sections of the lighting clusters covered with black tape, the front end remains mostly undisguised. The lower section of the fascia features a trapezoidal-shaped bumper that extends into the lower bumper diffuser. Additionally, there are two corner lights on the bumper, which appear to have cornering functionality.
New EU Law Requires EV Fast Chargers Every 37 Miles On Highways
As electric cars and motorcycles become more prevalent on the roads, there is a growing need for improved fast-charging infrastructure. While there are already numerous charging stations in cities worldwide, the same cannot be said for highways or expressways that facilitate intercontinental travel in Europe.
To address this issue, the European Union has introduced new regulations regarding fast charging for electric vehicles (EVs) on the continent. These regulations mandate the installation of a fast-charging station every 37 miles on highways and have set a target deadline of December 2025. These measures will significantly enhance Europe’s already well-developed EV-focused infrastructure.
A recent report by The Verge provides in-depth information about these new regulations. The focus of these mandates is on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). By implementing fast-charging stations along the TEN-T, EV drivers and fleet operators will enjoy effortless travel, eliminating range anxiety. Additionally, the rules stipulate that payment for using the charging facilities must be accessible to everyone, with no apps or subscriptions required. Instead, users can simply pay at a kiosk or counter and proceed.
Each charging point must have a minimum output of 400 kilowatts by December 2025, with at least one charger capable of providing 150 kW. The regulations also require a minimum total output of 600 kW by December 31, 2027, and at least one 150 kW charger. Currently, some charging stations have a 150-kW power rating but come with two charging cables. When two vehicles use the same charger, the power is divided in half and shared. The newly implemented laws mandate the availability of at least one charger with a minimum capacity of 150 kW at all times, ensuring quick charging access for those who need it most.
The law encompasses not only the entire TEN-T but also the routes connected to the highway network. Starting in 2027, these standards will apply to 50 percent of secondary routes as well. The ultimate goal is to have EV fast charging stations installed along all these roadways by 2030. Furthermore, by 2035, all charging stations on both the major TEN-T network and 50 percent of minor highways must have a total capacity of 600 kW. If these objectives are achieved, fast charging will become accessible to all, potentially eradicating range anxiety.