Driving penalties you could face for ignoring red lights and road signs

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/motoring/driving-penalties-you-could-face-31632998

Monday 13 May 1963

Grete Wiltschka, 22, from Vienna has offered to give Ray Charles her left eye. When Ray Charles heard of the offer, he said, “Her sacrifice would be too much for any man to ask. Life is still life, whether one is able to see people or not. Eyesight doesn’t bother me much.”

#SocialHistory #History #RayCharles #Politics #Motoring #1960s #Cheese #Music

🚗 Lotus Excel '84 – a classic with racing pedigree.
But...
🔧 Is the Lotus unreliable?
💰 Is it a smart investment?

Find out in the article 👉
🔗 https://klassikauto.pl/lotus-excel-1984-wyjatkowa-historia-klasyka-z-dusza-wyscigowa/

#LotusExcel #classiccars #youngtimer #carinvestment #motoring #Lotus #carenthusiast #automotiveheritage #klassikauto #cars #auto

DVSA announces major change to driving tests in new trial

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/motoring/motoring-news/dvsa-major-change-driving-tests-31601121

This is bizzare - I can't work out why #petrol is unusually expensive in #Scarborough #Yorkshire (more so than many places down South), unless its simply that its more car-dependent than other nearby places and the #oil companies have been able to profit from this..

#Cars #Motoring #FuelPrices #UK

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6j8q3g5ngo

New cameras could fine Llanelli shoppers £100 for parking too long

The new charges started on Thursday 1 May, with drivers facing fines of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days, if they park for too long.

Signage in the car park states that shoppers can park for up to 3 hours for free between 6am and 11pm, with charges in place for longer stays or stays outside the regular hours. Those charges need to be made through onsite payment terminals or using a RingGo app.

Even if you pay to park longer, you can still only stay for a maximum of 6 hours between 6am and 11pm though – and a maximum of 10 minutes after 11pm. If a store stays open past 10.30pm, then the 10 minute rule kicks inm 30 minutes after the last store closes.

If you’ve been shopping in Trostre and realise you’ve forgotten something, then make sure you don’t return within 2 hours or else you could also be fined.

If you find parking within the lines in the car park tricky, or you park in a service bay, on yellow lines or on hatched areas, then you could also face penalty charges.

Staff and contractors are banned from parking in the car park, and disabled drivers must show a badge in their windscreen to park in a disabled bay – although all the other rules, including time limits also apply to disabled drivers.

Trostre has a large number of well-known national brands, including Primark, B&M, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer.

A spokesperson for the retail park said: “From May 1, 2025, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be in operation across Parc Trostre.

“Please take a moment to read the updated parking guidelines and new opening hours below.

“Please note match days remain unaffected.”

#ANPRCameras #Llanelli #motoring #ParcTrostre #retail

£60m Pembrokeshire road scheme officially opened

The £60 million road-upgrade scheme comes thanks to joint investment by the Welsh Government and the EU.

It was officially opened today (2 May) by the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, who said it would bring improved connectivity and reduced journey times, while providing extra resilience and reliability, and enhanced road safety.

The scheme is a 6km upgrade to the old road, featuring a new carriageway, new roundabouts, 2 new bridges, 22 culverts, a new active travel route and environmental landscaping with over 450,000 plants and trees.

The Welsh Government highlighted that 97% of workers on the scheme were from Wales, with more than 100 Welsh businesses a part of the supply chain. More than 50 unemployed people and 16 apprentices from the area were also employed as part of the construction.

The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan said, “Fixing our roads is a key priority for us. We’ve spent £1bn fixing and improving our roads since 2021, including more than £250m in the past year.

“The completion of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvement scheme is excellent news for Southwest Wales providing a more resilient accessible transport link for tourism and key strategic ports in Pembrokeshire. 

“The scheme also helps connect local communities to key transport hubs, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles with the introduction of a new route for people wishing to cycle, walk or ride horses.”  

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said, “This project is an impressive piece of engineering and a great example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver on many levels, providing jobs for the local community, improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, alongside delivering environmental benefits.

“It’s been a complex project involving a number of key partners and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in helping us to deliver this.”

#A40 #construction #motoring #Pembrokeshire #WelshGovernment

Surely, in the UK, the front storage of an EV should be called a Froot?
I think it sounds loads better than Frunk.

#ev #frunk #froot #cars #motoring

He's not a Liverpool fan but he hopes a 'wealthy scouser' will give him £20k
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hes-not-liverpool-fan-hopes-31532038
Steve Callaghan said the 'unique' item has 'generated a lot of interest' #LFC #YNWA #LiverpoolPremierLeaguewinners #LiverpoolFC #Motoring

Carmarthenshire’s Black Mountain Pass named ‘most scenic driving route in Wales’

Wales is home to some of the most thrilling and picturesque drives in the UK — from mountain passes with hairpin bends to peaceful lakeside cruises. Whether you’re chasing panoramic views or empty country roads, these routes deliver both beauty and brilliant driving.

Motoring experts have handpicked five of the most scenic routes for motorists looking to explore Wales from behind the wheel.

1. Black Mountain Pass (A4069 – Llandovery to Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen)

A true favourite among motoring purists, the Black Mountain Pass winds its way through the Brecon Beacons with a dramatic mix of tight corners, open straights, and cliffside climbs.

Made famous by Top Gear, it offers adrenaline and epic views in equal measure. Expect roaming sheep, sweeping valleys, and no shortage of Instagram-worthy moments.

Best for: sporty handling, sharp curves, and dramatic hilltop views.

2. Abergwesyn Pass (Abergwesyn to Tregaron)

Often called “the Welsh Highlands”, this remote and wild mountain road is as dramatic as it gets. The route cuts through moorland, dense forests, and past waterfalls — and includes the steep and infamous Devil’s Staircase.

There’s no phone signal, barely any signage, and rarely another car. It’s as raw and untouched as road trips come.

Best for: isolation, adventure, and raw natural beauty.

3. Llanberis Pass (A4086 – Capel Curig to Llanberis)

Threading between the rugged peaks of Snowdonia, the Llanberis Pass delivers one of the most scenic alpine-style drives in the UK. Sheer rock faces, glacier-carved valleys and towering slate mountains dominate the landscape.

Perfect for a sunrise drive or post-hike cruise, this route feels like something out of the Alps — without leaving Britain.

Best for: dramatic mountain scenery, photography stops, and highland driving.

4. Elan Valley Drive (Rhayader to Devil’s Bridge)

This peaceful and underrated route through mid-Wales follows the Elan Valley’s iconic dams and reservoirs. Expect quiet bends, lush forest backdrops, and mirror-like lakes flanking the roadside.

Great for a slower, reflective drive — with plenty of places to pull over, enjoy a picnic, or take in the views.

Best for: relaxing drives, nature lovers, and peaceful pit stops.

5. North Wales Coastal Route (A55 – Chester to Holyhead)

This route hugs the north coast of Wales, offering rolling sea views, access to beaches, castles, and the striking Menai Suspension Bridge en route to Anglesey.

While it’s a more modern A-road, the scenery and sea breeze more than make up for it — especially at golden hour.

Best for: coastal cruising, long-distance road trips, and scenic sunset drives.

Final word from the experts

A spokesperson from Show Plates World, who were behind the research, said:

“Wales has some of the most rewarding drives in the UK — routes where the landscape constantly changes, and the road itself becomes part of the experience. Whether you’re here for the thrill or the view, these roads have both.”

#A4069 #BlackMountain #BlackMountainPass #Carmarthenshire #driving #GwaunCaeGurwen #Llandovery #motoring

‘Source of data’: are electric cars vulnerable to cyber spies and hackers? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/29/source-of-data-are-electric-cars-vulnerable-to-cyber-spies-and-hackers #Electric,hybridandlow-emissioncars #Dataandcomputersecurity #Technology #Cybercrime #Motoring #Internet #UKnews #China

Do this 20p tyre trick or risk facing £10,000 fines

Motoring experts are encouraging motorists to check their tyres using the 20p coin trick to ensure they are driving safely and legally.

Tyre tread depth is essential for ensuring stability and grip on the roads and is particularly important when it comes to braking. Tyres with a low tread depth run the risk of increasing stopping distance and causing accidents.

The tread depth of a tyre should be a minimum of 1.6 mm, this requirement applies to the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and must be consistent around the entire circumference of the tyre.

It is illegal to drive with the incorrect tyre tread depth under The Road Traffic Act and drivers caught with illegal tyres could face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. 

Motorists with four tyres below the recommended tread depth could face fines up to £10,000 and 12 points on their licence. 

To avoid this, the experts advise taking a 20p coin to see if their tyres meet the legal requirement.

Simply place a 20p coin in the groove of the tyre; if you can’t see the outer ring of the coin, it means the tyres meet the 1.6 mm requirement.

If you can see the outer ring, then the tyres will need replacing before making any journeys.

John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco.com said: “Tyre tread depth is important because it is what helps your tyres grip to the road properly and provides stability. If it is low, it can increase stopping distance which can ultimately lead to road accidents.

“A quick and easy way to check your tyres is by using the 20p hack. Simply place a 20p coin into the grooves of the tyre, if the outer ring on the coin disappears then your tyres meet the requirement of being 1.6mm.

“However, if you can see the ring, you’ll need to get these replaced before hitting the road.”

John continues: “Driving with tyres that do not meet the 1.6mm requirement is actually illegal. You’ll face a fine of £2,500 per tyre and 3 points on your licence.

“To avoid this and ensure you’ll have a safe journey, carry out the 20p hack on all four of your tyres as soon as you can.”

#motoring #tyres

Revealed: The 11 Carmarthenshire roads that will change from 20 to 30mph

Just 11 Carmarthenshire roads will see their speed limits returned to 30mph following a consultation by Carmarthenshire Council.

The Welsh Government policy was “hugely controversial” Cllr Alun Lenny told Carmarthenshire Council cabinet members at a meeting on 28 April, however he criticised the “reckless and impatient minority who care little for road safety”.

Council highways officers will also review “buffer” speed limits on approaches to 20mph roads. These see multiple speed limits in a short distance in an effort to encourage motorists to slow down ahead of the 20mph limit. The cabinet report said this review could potentially result in fewer buffer speed limit changes and a more consistent speed limit regime.

All the 20mph roads in Carmarthenshire that could change back to 30mph

A484 in Cwmdwyfran between Bronwydd Arms and Cynwyl Elfed
A484 in Pentre-Morgan, Bronwydd Arms
A484 at Pentrecagal near Newcastle Emlyn
B4297 Heol Y Bwlch in Bynea for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi
B4333 at Hermon on the southern approach to the village from Cynwyl Efled
B4312 at Llangain near Johnstown on both approaches to the village
B4312 at Monument Hill in Carmarthen
B4308 Carmarthen Road in Kidwelly on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m
B4556 New Link Road in Penygroes
B4306 Heol Y Parc in Hendy from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr
B4337 in Llanybydder for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr.

The four roads deemed inappropriate to go back to 30mph were:

A4242 Coracle Way in Carmarthen
B4309 in Cynheidre
B4310 in Nantyffin
B4303 Dafen Road in Dafen, Llanelli.

Swansea Council recently said that out of 81 locations suggested for change, most of the routes suggested did not meet the Welsh Government’s strict criteria for exemptions, however 17 roads across the city did.

#20mph #30mph #BronwyddArms #Bynea #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #Hendy #Hermon #Kidwelly #Llanybydder #motoring #Penygroes

Sunday 28 April 1963

Today’s colour is brown. Even Buckingham Palace has got the message. The Queen has chosen Honourable Bamboo - a brown pattern on white - for the walls of her bathroom. The experts agree that this is a good choice because people who live hectic lives need a monotone room to relax in.

#SocialHistory #History #Royalty #Music #Motoring #Football #1960s

By May 1961 there were 5,610,000 cars in Britain. A statistician at the time calculated that if all the cars in Britain were placed on all the roads in Britain there would only be thirty-five yards between each of them.

#SocialHistory #History #Cars #Motoring #Roads #Transport #1960s

Full list of licence plate rules that could land drivers with fine of up to £1,000

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/motoring/full-list-licence-plate-rules-31493179

“I bought a car on facebook marketplace – then found a massive pet spider in the boot”

James Trafford, 23, from Newport, South Wales, had travelled to Blackburn on Easter Sunday (April 20th) to collect a secondhand MG ZR, which he had agreed to purchase from a private seller.

While in the area, James also picked up a secondhand gaming table from another Facebook seller, folding it into the boot of the car before heading home.

But when he returned and began unloading, he noticed something moving beneath the table.

“I pulled the table out and just froze,” he told Show Plates World, who conducted the interview. “There was this huge spider crawling across the boot lining. At first I thought it was fake – then it moved.”

James, who says he has never seen a spider that large in the UK, described it as resembling a Huntsman spider, known for their size and speed.

“I Didn’t Know If It Came with the Car or the Table”

Initially unsure whether the spider had come from the car seller or the person who sold him the gaming table, James reached out to both.

“I called the guy who sold me the car and asked him straight up if he kept pet spiders,” he said. “He then admitted his pet spider had gone missing a week earlier. He had no idea it had climbed into the boot.”

The seller returned the next day to collect the spider, which had been living unnoticed in the car since before the sale.

“He was honestly quite relieved,” James added. “Apologetic, but grateful it was found safe. He said it had been missing for over a week and they’d torn the house apart looking for it.”

3 Tips for Buying a Car on Facebook Marketplace

Motoring experts at Show Plates World say that while stories like this are rare, buying from private sellers online always carries risks. Their advice:

1. Inspect Every Inch of the Vehicle
Don’t just check the engine and bodywork — inspect the boot, under seats, glovebox, and behind mats. Surprises don’t always come with warning lights.

2. Ask Unusual Questions
If something seems off, don’t be afraid to ask. “Has this car had pets in it?” might sound odd, but it could reveal important details — or a stowaway spider.

3. Avoid Rushing the Collection
Give yourself time to fully inspect the car in daylight, and try to avoid same-day multitasking like collecting other items.

A spokesperson from Show Plates World said: “This was certainly one of the more unusual buyer stories we’ve come across. But it goes to show that a used car can come with unexpected extras. Always give yourself time to inspect a vehicle properly, and don’t be afraid to ask the strange questions – they might just save you from a nasty surprise.”

#motoring #spider

Drivers paying ‘more than £4,000,000 a day’ in fines to private parking firms

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/25/drivers-paying-more-4-000-000-a-day-fines-private-parking-firms-22969529/

DVSA to take 'immediate' action to reduce driving test waiting time

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/motoring/motoring-news/dvsa-driving-test-waiting-time-31494332

Tuesday 23 April 1963

Experience with Telstar satellite communications in recent months has far exceeded expectations, the Post Office’s Director-General Sir Ronald German said yesterday. It is hoped that an operational system of communications using satellites could be set up well before 1970.

#SocialHistory #History #Technology #Shopping #Motoring #Football #1960s