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New coach insurance scheme launched

30/10/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

A new insurance scheme specifically for bus and coach companies has been launched. New Coach

The new programme has been set up by insurance broker Belmont International in conjunction with the GreenRoad Safety Centre and aims to reduce driver premiums over time.

Coach and car hire drivers at participating companies will be offered continuous real-time training to improve driving skills, which will provide the insurer with better fleet risk management data to negotiate better premiums.

David Hinton, deputy managing director at Belmont International remarked that the new scheme could be beneficial during the financial downturn.

He said: “At a time of financial uncertainty, with the potential for higher insurance premiums and fuel costs, we have been looking for ways to reduce the impact on our clients.

“With our GreenRoad proposition we have secured the support of leading insurers which will enable the delivery of this product and on going risk management advice.”

The scheme will focus on coach companies with a fleet of up to 100 vehicles.

Figures released by the Department of Transport show that the number of uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads has fallen by 0.7 per cent over the last two years.

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Cliff Richard begins Time Machine Tour

29/10/2008 By Louise Williams Leave a Comment

Cliff RCliff Richard will begin his hotly anticipated Time Machine Tour 2008 at the Wembley Arena this evening, November 10th.

The Summer Holiday singer will no doubt attract coach loads of crowds to the huge stadium, who will take to the stage at 19:30 GMT with no support act.

There is no need for eager Cliff fans to rush to book their car hire and tickets for tonight’s performance, however, as the singer is also performing at the arena on November 12th, 14th and 15th.

The Time Machine Tour celebrates Cliff’s 50th anniversary in the music industry, during which time the veteran heartthrob has amassed no less than 14 UK chart toppers.

Memorable hits include Congratulations, Living Doll, Mistletoe and Wine and Millennium Prayer.

Fans need not rush to book tickets for the Wembley dates either, as the tour will take Cliff around the UK to venue including the Cardiff International Arena, the Newcastle Metro Arena and the NIA in Birmingham.

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Dott doubt over snooker break

27/10/2008 By Tracy Wilcox Leave a Comment

Graeme Dott may not be able to play at this year’s Royal London Watches Grand Prix snooker event in Glasgow after it emerged he suffered a wrist injury.Snooker Event

The world number 13 has injured his wrist after he fell awkwardly in a football match in China earlier in the week.

Doubt over Dott is not likely to dampen the enthusiasm of the coach and hire car transport-full of fans that will show up for the event which begins on October 11th.

Commenting on his injury, the committed sportsman remains ever the optimist.

He said: “I knew it was pretty bad when I did it, but I was hoping it was going to be a sprain instead of a break.

“It’s not looking good at the moment,” he added. “I’m going to give myself every chance to play, but it’s still pretty painful.”

The injury also forced Dott to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters.

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London traffic halted by Olympic Parade

23/10/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

Britain’s successful Olympic athletes brought central London to a halt this afternoon as they made their way along the Olympic Parade route. untitled6

The sports men and women made their way from Mansion House to Trafalgar Square in their victory buses, led by the Grenadier Royal Guards band.

Crowds of supporters managed to find their way to Trafalgar Square for the victory parade, despite the disruption to traffic through the capital.

Sports fans gathered outside the Tate and a sea of waving blue hands greeted the athletes as the buses passed the famous fountains under Nelson’s Column.

Among the athletes lapping up the praise were 13-year-old Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington.

Speaking to the Press Association, triple Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy described it as “a great way” to celebrate their success.

He said: “It is the day that the athletes have been waiting for. It is going to be massive and it is a chance for us to say thank you to the public.”

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Lorries to get safety mirrors

22/10/2008 By Tracy Wilcox Leave a Comment

lorriesAuthorities in London have today called for all lorries to be fitted with safety mirrors to reduce the risk of collisions with cyclists.

The London Assembly made the announcement following reports that nine cyclists have died in the capital so far this year as a direct result of lorry collisions.

Unlike coaches and private car hire motorists, heavy goods vehicles are thought to be less able to see cyclists on the road due to a combination of factors including the drivers position in the cab.

Joanne McCartney, assembly member, said: “This Assembly supports the use of ‘safety mirrors’ by HGVs which increases the ability of lorry drivers to be aware of cyclists.

“The Department for Transport estimates that a year’s delay in putting these measures in place could cost 18 lives in the UK.”

This follows an announcement from the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who has also called for a rephrasing of traffic lights across the capital to ease traffic congestion.

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Glasto bookings begin

19/10/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

More than half of next year’s Glastonbury Festival-goers are already in a position to book their car hire or coaches to the event. untitled

Bookings for the first round of ticket sales got underway on Sunday October 7th, with more than half of the 137,500 tickets sold or reserved by the end of the day.

The five-day festival looks to have one over fans following its controversial headline act Jay-Z at this year’s event, which is thought to have resulted in an early slump in sales.

Event festival organiser Michael Eavis is particularly excited about next year’s event, which will take place from June 24th to the 28th 2009.

He said: “It’s really exciting that people are still remembering one of the best festivals we’ve ever held and are clearly already looking forward to the next one.

“June saw the most diverse audience for ten years or so, and hopefully this new fairer ticket system will mean that we have a great crowd again in 2009.”

Any remaining tickets will go on sale on Sunday April 5th 2009, just under two months before the event.

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Leed’s Roundhay bonfire date set

18/10/2008 By Louise Williams Leave a Comment

FireworksCoach-loads of people will be making their way to Roundhay Park in Leeds next month for the popular Roundhay Park Leeds Firework Display.

This year’s event will kick off on Wednesday 5th of November to celebrate Guy Fawkes’ infamous Gunpowder Plot.

Visitors will get free admission to the event, which will start at around 19:30 BST, which will leave plenty of funds aside for any coach or car hire that may be necessary.

The fireworks are not expected to begin until 20:00 BST after the bonfire is lit, which typically attracts around 70,000 people each year.

Commenting prior to last year’s festival, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council told the Yorkshire Evening Post that safety remains a top priority.

He said: “The Roundhay bonfire is a massive event which around 70,000 people attend. To ensure the safety of these huge crowds, we have to erect 3,350 metres of fencing.

“The bonfire is eagerly anticipated by local people. We want it to be both an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.”

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Chelsea welcome Roma to Stamford Bridge

17/10/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

untitledChelsea will welcome Roma to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday, October 22nd, for their first of two 2008 Uefa Champions League encounters at the Group Stage.

With many players fresh from international duty in World Cup Qualifiers this week, it will be only the Blues second match back together since their national team games.

The squad will be making their way to Middlesbrough over the weekend, hoping to build on their good form in the Premiership at the start of this season, which has seen them notch up seven games without loss.

Many fans will no doubt be keen to ensure they arrive on time to next week’s encounter, with many likely to book coaches and car hire transport.

Striker Didier Drogba, who has yet to play a full European match this season due to a knee injury, is confident Chelsea will overcome their rivals despite their extensive injury list.

He told Eufa: “Although we have a lot of injuries at the moment, it is not like two seasons ago when John Terry or Petr Cech was injured and it was a difficult time for us.

“I think this squad is stronger.”

Chelsea currently top their group and lead Roma by one point after two games.

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London buses could get atheist slogan

16/10/2008 By Tracy Wilcox Leave a Comment

London‘s controversial bendy buses look set to court more trouble with a new advertisement from the British Humanist Association (BHA). untitled5

The BHA is hoping to run have up to 30 buses displaying posters bearing the slogan “There’s probably no God” for four weeks.

Athiest Professor Richard Dawkins is supporting the campaign, having initially pledged to match the £5,500 raised by the BHA.

The full slogan, which follows with the phrase “Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”, is likely to turn the heads of cyclists, car hire drivers and the occupants of limousines travelling alongside the buses in the city.

Although according to professor Dawkins, this is the intention.

He said: “This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think – and thinking is anathema to religion.”

Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the BHA, said: “We see so many posters advertising salvation through Jesus or threatening us with eternal damnation, that I feel sure that a bus advert like this will be welcomed as a breath of fresh air.

“If it raises a smile as well as making people think, so much the better.”

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Manchester Comedy Festival begins tonight

16/10/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

This year’s Manchester Comedy Festival will kick off this evening, with a performance from stand-up comedian and musician Phil Nichol.

The Scottish-born guitarist was raised in Canada and is also known for his role in the classic comedy band Corky and the Juice Pigs.untitled

For those not lucky enough to make their coach car hire bookings in time for Phil’s performance, there are plenty more top acts to keep comedy fans entertained.

Among them, stand-up comic and Shaun of the Dead star Dylan Moran will be teasing audiences with his show, What It Is at the Palace Theatre on October 18th.

It will also feature the sell-out comedy performance Speed of Dating, which will be playing at the Taurus on October 21st at 8pm.

The Manchester Comedy Festival will run until October 26th 2008.

Meanwhile, the Nivea Funny Women Live Tour, which will present finalists drawn from six years-worth of comedy awards, could also be a favourite.

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