Volkswagen and bp joins forces to create fast charging network across Europe
Volkswagen and bp has this week launched a strategic partnership that will boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe, unveiling the first charger in Dusseldorf, Germany. Volkswagen have been leading the way with their innovative Flexpole 150kW charging units for EV vehicles, featuring two chare points and overcome one of the biggest obstacles […]
Wiltshire Council commits to more funding for community-based highways projects
Funding for community-based highways projects in Wiltshire has been increased. Wiltshire Council’s cabinet has also agreed to change community area transport groups (CATGs) into local highway and footway improvement groups (LHFIGs). The 18 new LHFIGs – one for each community area in Wiltshire – will be made up of local Wiltshire Council members, town and […]
Balfour Beatty appoints UK Director of Sustainability
Contractor Balfour Beatty has announced the appointment of Jo Gilroy as UK Director of Sustainability. Ms Gilroy, who joins the company this week, will be responsible for supporting and guiding the business in driving forward Balfour Beatty’s sustainability strategy across the UK, as well as reporting the Group’s performance against the bold targets and ambitions […]
Cork works up masterplan for active travel to create first 20-minute neighbourhood
Nearly €6m is to be spent to build a 5.5km network of bike lanes and pedestrian walkways to create Cork’s first 20-minute neighbourhood in Mahon. It is hoped the network will encourage people to ditch the car in favour of cycling and walking in an area that is home to three schools, a massive shopping […]
5p cut in fuel duty represents three times the current active travel spend, says new report
A 5p cut in fuel duty represents three times the current spending on active travel in the UK, according to a new report, which suggests that the financial relief would be better invested in active travel. The ‘Spending £2.4bn Better’ technical report concludes that the fuel duty cut – applied by the government in response to […]
Private e-scooters could soon be legal on public roads
Private e-scooters could soon be legal to ride on public roads, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested. According to the Press Association, Mr Shapps is keen for the legislation to be included in the Queen’s Speech on May 10. Currently, e-scooters can only be legally used on England’s roads if they are part of trials […]
Majority of UK schools exceed safe air pollution levels, according to latest #LetSchoolsBreath project
A high number (97%)of UK schools monitored by Airly in the #LetSchoolsBreathe project experienced levels of PM2.5 that exceeded the safe norms set out by the World Health Organization (WHO). The research found that 35 out of 36 schools experienced unsafe levels of PM2.5, while the safe annual norm for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was exceeded […]
School Streets road safety and healthy travel trial in Norfolk moves to next stage
Trials of the School Streets initiative at a number of Norfolk schools are set to move to the next stage over coming weeks. The scheme which was announced earlier this year is designed to make hundreds of pupils’ daily journeys safer and healthier. For the first time road closures at the start and end of […]
Nottinghamshire County Council to trial buses on demand with no fixed route
County Councillors are meeting next week to discuss proposals to launch Demand Responsive Transport services in Nottinghamshire. Members of the Transport and Environment Committee will also receive an update on the announcement of further Government funding to support the bus sector, including indicative Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding. Following its successful bid for £1.5 […]
Norfolk County Council working on ‘alternative’ road materials to help cut emissions
Norfolk County Council is working with the company that maintains its road network to produce some ‘environmentally-friendly alternatives to asphalt and similar materials, as part of plans to cut the county’s carbon emissions. Experts are looking to come up with new materials to use in highway maintenance. Norse Highways manage and maintain about 6,000 miles of […]