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Ireland and UK collaborate on road laws

28/01/2009 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

Coach drivers disqualified for an offence in the Republic of Ireland could soon find their punishment upheld in the UK.untitled

New regulations unveiled in parliament today (November 25th) will ensure that disqualifications are enforced across Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world but we need to do everything we can to improve even further.

“These measures will keep dangerous drivers off our roads by ensuring that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment.”

It is hoped that new regulations will be in place in each of the three legal systems by spring 2009.

The government unveiled new proposals earlier this month to introduce a higher fixed penalty of six points for drivers breaking the speeding limit by a large margin.

Proposals also included plans to make careless driving a fixed penalty offence, leaving those caught facing a £60 fine or three penalty points.

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Motorcycles to use London’s bus lanes

08/12/2008 By Louise Williams Leave a Comment

Motorcycles will be allowed into most bus lanes in the capital by January 5th 2009, the Greater London Authority has announced.   untitled

Red route bus lanes in London can currently be used by buses, cyclists and black taxis.

However, in line with Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s election pledge motorcyclists are also to be given permission to use the lanes.

Mr Johnson said: “I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus lanes in many other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to use the Transport for London red routes.

“One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered, and I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely.”

Motorcyclists will be allowed into lanes on an 18-month trial, which it is hoped will ease congestion for other road users such as car hire vehicles and coaches.

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New roads to tackle congestion in Leeds

05/12/2008 By Tracy Wilcox Leave a Comment

coach BrokerThe Yorkshire city of Leeds has seen its brand new Inner Ring Road opened as other works near completion.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon MP, who opened the new £50 million project, said: “I am delighted to be in Leeds today to officially open the final stage of the Inner Ring Road and see the excellent progress being made towards completing the East Leeds Link Road.

“These crucial schemes will see thousands of motorists a day benefit from free-flowing traffic, allow for further public transport improvements and attract further development and investment in the city.”

The announcement is good news for anyone planning to book car hire for an event at one of Leeds’ many attractions as the new scheme, which connects to the M621, should ease congestion in and around the city centre.

Meanwhile, the £80 million East Leeds Link Road is rapidly approaching completion, with Mr Hoon stating that will be finished on time and in line with original projections.

Leeds is one of the largest cities in the north of England and is home to two universities and a number of major sports teams including Leeds United Football Club.

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£27m investment in Dudley road scheme

10/11/2008 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment

The government is to invest £27 million into a new road scheme in Brierley Hill, Dudley. Road1

Unveiled by transport minister Paul Clark, the new Sustainable Access Network is intended to improve the town’s residential and employment prospects.

The new route will allow through-traffic to bypass the town centre, which it is hoped will improve the working environment in Brierley Hill.

Commenting on the new plans, Mr Clark said: “Transport networks play a vital role in supporting economic prosperity in towns like Brierley Hill.

“Not only will this transform Brierley Hill into a nicer place to live and work, it also paves the way for future regeneration of the town.”

As part of the scheme, traffic from the Waterfront Way link will be moved to the north of the town, which could improve congestion for car hire drivers and other motorists.

The government also hopes that the new scheme will improve cycling and pedestrian links around the town.

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£7m investment for M25 ‘bottleneck’ congestion

05/11/2008 By Tracy Wilcox Leave a Comment

Plans to tackle congestion at Junction 30 on the M25 have received a £7 million funding boost. untitle

The Department for Transport’s commitment follows an investigation into possible solutions to the Thames Gateway bottleneck.

Car hire and coach drivers are likely to be all too familiar with the intersection, which is congested for most of the day.

Junction 30 directly serves the Port of Tilbury and Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre.

Making the announcement at the Thames Gateway Forum in London, transport minister Paul Clark noted that the funding would allow the project to move “into the next phase”.

“This is a key milestone and demonstrates how we are getting on with delivery and fulfilling on our commitments in the Gateway,” he said.

A wider consultation on proposals is expected to begin in the spring of 2009.

The government announced £60 million funding to curb congestion on the A12 earlier this week.

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