Lower Thames Crossing plans accepted for examination
The Government’s independent planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate, has confirmed it has accepted National Highway’s application for a Development Consent Order for detailed examination of the Lower Thames Crossing project. National Highways submitted its planning application for the road project last month following what it calls a comprehensive programme of assessments, consultation, and engagement with […]
Majority of people “don’t think driverless cars are safe”
Global research by safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation has uncovered that only a quarter (27%) of the world’s population would feel safe in self-driving cars. The researchers say that, despite the potentially transformative safety benefits artificial intelligence could bring to vehicles by reducing crashes causes by human error, distraction or fatigue, almost two thirds (65%) […]
Bristol CAZ “milestone” for city
The Mayor of Bristol has described the introduction of its Clean Air Zone “an incredible milestone” which will “help create a city that is healthier for everyone to grow up, live and work in”. The CAZ was introduced yesterday (28 November). No vehicles are banned from entering Bristol Clean Air Zone, which covers a small […]
London’s ULEZ expansion plans described as “flawed”
The vehicle retailers’ industry body the National Franchised Dealers Association has reacted to the decision to expand London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone to cover the whole of the capital as “flawed”, as it will “have disproportionate effect on London’s most deprived communities and motorists.” The organisation says it opposed the idea in the recent consultation, […]
Sheffield sets February date for CAZ introduction
Sheffield City Council has announced that from Monday, 27 February 2023 the Class C Clean Air Zone will begin charging non-compliant vehicles. Charges will apply to the following vehicle types that do not meet the minimum standards when entering the Clean Air Zone boundary: Taxis, including both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, which are below Euro […]
London accounts for a third of all e-scooter collisions
A third of all the UK’s e-scooter collisions in the past year occurred in the capital, with 12 people killed in crashes involving the vehicles. London’s Evening Standard reports that the Department for Transport statistics reveal on person killed was a pedestrian, and the rest e-scooter riders. Those killed include a 53-year-old man in a […]
Sunak “wants Just Stop Oil crackdown”
Police will this week be told by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to crack down on Just Stop Oil protestors who have regularly blocked to Britain’s roads over the past few months. The protest group is planning its latest campaign of disruption in and the Mail on Sunday reports that Mr Sunak has increasingly expressed his […]
Campaigners issue video showing LTN bollards being vandalised in Oxford
A group of people living in East Oxford have released a video of vandals setting fire to a Low Traffic Neighbourhood bollard, pulling bollards out of the ground and driving over them. The Oxford Mail has shared the video which was gathered by Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) and Oxfordshire Liveable Streets […]
Welsh transport minister to visit closed Menai Suspension Bridge
It’s been announced that Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, will visit the closed Menai Bridge that links Anglesey to mainland Britain on Wednesday. The crossing was closed last month because of safety fears after engineers identified serious risks with the structure. The North Wales Chronicle reports that local MP Virginia Crosbie criticised […]
UK-based lithium refinery gets planning permission
The company Tees Valley Lithium has received full planning permission from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to construct the UK’s first major lithium hydroxide refinery for use in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. The factory will be at the Wilton International Chemicals Park in the Teesside Freeport. The refinery will be capable of […]