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Coronavirus - A Motorists' Guide
We live in unprecedented times. Nothing is as it used to be, and it is hard to see the situation returning to normal any time soon. Our personal freedom has been curtailed, but for many the car still remains a lifeline. A trip to the shops, a means of getting…
Planned Roadworks In Yorkshire And The Humber – Summary For Monday 6 April To Thursday 9 April
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 3 April and could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All overnight closures (apart from 24/7 closures) take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers can…
2:00 PM 5th April 2020
Essential Work On M18 In South Yorkshire
Drivers who have to make essential journeys on the M18 in South Yorkshire are being advised of work which may affect them. Highways England is replacing 1,355 metres of vital safety barrier on the link road between the M1 and M18. It is also putting in place new traffic signs and…
1:30 PM 5th April 2020
Planned Roadworks In Yorkshire And The Humber – Summary For Monday 30 March To Sunday 5 April
The following summary is correct as of Thursday 26 March and could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All overnight closures (apart from 24/7 closures) take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers can follow clearly signed diversions. Roadworks affect all journeys which is why it…
4:00 PM 29th March 2020
Improving Safety On A64 As Part Of Continued £22 Million Investment
Junction improvements at Knapton have been completed
Further safety improvements to provide better and safer journeys on a major coastal route get underway this week, bringing the total schemes currently on the ground to six. Highways England is starting work between Crambeck and Welburn as part of its ongoing £22 million investment along the A64. The four-month project…
9:00 PM 20th March 2020
Technology Improvements On Key M62 Junction
Work to improve safety by installing new technology at a busy junction in Leeds will start next week. On Monday Highways England will upgrade the existing traffic signal operating system at Tingley roundabout at junction 28 of the M62. The project will add to the benefits of the widening scheme which was…
11:31 AM 20th March 2020
D-Max XTR - Isuzu's Popular Pickup On Test
Pickup sales in the UK remain strong and buyers tend to fall into two distinct camps. There are those involved in construction or agricultural industries and then there are the lifestyle buyers. Isuzu’s D-Max has found favour with the former group, drawn to the marque’s reputation for reliability and toughness. In…
3:40 PM 4th March 2020
Bonjour Mon Ami – Urban Mobility From Citroen
This year will see a whole new generation of electric cars hit the streets and for the urban motorist, this is undoubtedly a good thing. Councils are working hard to improve air quality in the inner cities, which means slowly rolling out ever more draconian measures to persuade us to…
12:19 PM 1st March 2020
Winter Driving Tips - Stay Safe
With snow forecast, there can be no doubt that winter is upon us. To help you keep moving whatever the weather, I have compiled a guide full of timely reminders and helpful tips! Winter Tyres Winter tyres have much to commend them and have great benefits when temperatures drop below 7…
2:00 PM 26th February 2020
It’s Geneva Motor Show Time
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
My love of motor shows goes back to my youth. I can still recall the excitement of my annual trip to the Earl’s Court extravaganza and would leave laden with brochures which would keep me in bedtime reading for weeks. I am still as enthusiastic as ever but now must journey…
10:20 AM 24th February 2020
Major Safety Improvements To Start On The A1
A1 - photo by David Howard
Drivers will benefit from major safety improvements along the A1 between Redhouse and Barnsdale Bar near Doncaster, as work gets underway this week. Highways England will start work to install a new safety barrier along sections of the roadside to improve safety for drivers travelling along the route. Highways England project manager…
3:00 PM 18th February 2020
Driving Safely In Wet And Stormy Conditions
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
photo State Farm
As the UK continues to be battered by severe weather and with no respite in sight, we take a look at how to keep safe on the roads. FLOODING In cases of severe flooding, the question to ask is if you really need to make your journey at all. Modern cars are…
10:00 AM 15th February 2020
Drivers Urged To Take Extra Care In High Winds And Heavy Rain
Highways England is advising drivers to take care and be prepared as Storm Dennis brings very strong winds and heavy rain across large parts of England this weekend. Gusts of 40-50mph will be widespread across Highways England’s road network with some areas experiencing up to 60-70mph around coasts and routes in…
6:00 PM 14th February 2020
Barrier To Improve Noise And Safety For Major Leeds Commuter Route
Work to install a new barrier designed to improve safety and reduce noise for residents alongside a busy Leeds commuter route will start next month. The work to install the barrier between junctions 6 and 7 of the M621 is one of a raft of improvements being carried out by Highways…
4:50 AM 13th February 2020
Traffic Bulletin: Drivers Urged To Take Extra Care In High Winds
Highways England has extended its warning to drivers across England to take care and be prepared for strong gales on Sunday 9 February that have the potential to disrupt journeys across all regions. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for the South East, East, North East, North West, South…
1:00 PM 9th February 2020
Peugeot 208 – UK Media Launch
Peugeot has undergone a transformation in recent years and now produces some excellent cars. Not only do they look good, but surveys prove that they are reliable too. Sales were slightly up in 2019 against a gloomy backdrop, with many manufactures experiencing a marked decline in cars sold in the…
3:48 PM 7th February 2020
Not So ‘Smart’ Motorways Under Review
The idea of the ‘smart’ motorway sounds good in principle. Use the hard shoulder as an extra running lane to ease congestion at peak times. Cameras monitor the sections and the speed limit can be adjusted to ensure that the traffic keeps flowing. The problem arises in the event of a…
2:00 PM 31st January 2020
Volvo XC60 T8 Design Pro On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
The second generation of Volvo’s premium mid-size SUV has been on sale for a couple of years now and despite an array of talented opposition, it still competes for class honours. The Germans lead the charge with the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, whilst home grown offerings from Jaguar…
6:37 PM 25th January 2020
Sizzling Spanish SUV - Cupra Ateca On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
The UK car market is now flooded with SUVs and Crossovers. The choice is quite bewildering with all the mainstream manufacturers keen to ensure they grab a share of what is now a very large pie. The SEAT Ateca is one of the very best. It does all the things…
6:20 PM 20th January 2020
Bentley Motors – A Factory Tour
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
‘The new Flying Spur’
A visit to the Bentley factory in Crewe is definitely something to look forward to. Home to the British car maker since 1946, the company employs 4,200 people, all charged with producing some of the finest cars in the world. Keen to promote their green credentials, I learnt that the factory…
12:48 PM 17th January 2020
Jaguar XK120 To Take Centre Stage At Electric Vehicle Showcase Day At Rudding Park
The “gentleman’s racer” 1953 Jaguar XK120 – which will be on display at the Ethos Ride & Drive event at Rudding Park
A classic Jaguar race car from the 1950s which has been given a modern “green” twist will be taking centre stage at a special business event in Harrogate this month. (January 24) Known as the “gentleman’s racer”, this 1953 Jaguar XK120 has been fully restored with one exception - its old…
12:46 PM 17th January 2020
Traffic Bulletin: Lancashire M6 Weekend Closure Confirmed
Highways England has confirmed the M6 in Lancashire will be closed this weekend to allow a footbridge over the motorway to be demolished. The demolition work was confirmed at noon today (Thursday 9 January) after a final check on the weekend's weather forecast. The motorway will be closed in both directions between…
2:00 AM 9th January 2020
Rolls-Royce Leeds Unveil The Cullinan Black Badge Edition
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has delivered an historic annual sales record in 2019, with 5,152 cars delivered to customers in over 50 countries around the world. This is an increase of 25% on the previous high set in 2018. Much of this success lies with the new Cullinan, which has succeeded even…
1:53 PM 8th January 2020
Renault’s Fifth Generation Clio - UK Launch Review
The year was 1994 and my wife and I decided we wanted to change our Renault 5 for something a bit more up to date. We lived close to a Renault dealer and so popped in to see our car salesman friend Peter. On offer was a new Renault Clio, a…
9:59 AM 7th January 2020
Lamborghini Life - Living The Dream
The chance to drive a Lamborghini had never presented itself, so my excitement at an invitation was immeasurable. Pop over to Leeds, view their new dealership, drive thorough the Yorkshire Dales, an overnight stay and back the next day. The reality was even better than I could possibly have hoped for.…
4:15 AM 6th January 2020
Driving Home For Christmas: Motorists Warned To Watch Out For 'Crash For Cash' Fraudsters
With riskier road conditions over the holiday period, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) is warning motorists to be extra vigilant of ‘Crash for Cash’ fraudsters attempting to cause deliberate collisions and profit from bogus insurance claims. The IFB has helped to shut down hundreds of ‘Crash for Cash’ scam networks and…
12:00 PM 19th December 2019
Ranger Raptor - Ford's Monster Truck On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I enjoy off-road driving and am lucky enough to have a great collection of ‘Byways Open To All Traffic’ in my neck of the woods. Stunning scenery, challenging terrain and the chance to get off the beaten track. I am however always mindful of walkers and cyclists and take care not…
5:00 PM 18th December 2019
More Than 800 Miles Of Roadworks Completed Or Lifted In Time For Christmas
More than 800 miles of roadworks will be lifted or completed on motorways and major A-roads to help motorists have smoother journeys over the festive period. Highways England will be working around the clock to remove roadworks in time for the big getaway, meaning around 98 per cent of motorways and…
10:00 AM 18th December 2019
Nissan Juke – The Second Generation
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
The Nissan Juke has been a runaway success for the Japanese manufacturer. After nine years on sale, over one million have been sold, with over a quarter finding homes in the UK. Rewind to 2010 and the compact crossover had barely any competition, but oh how times have changed. Most mainstream…
11:30 AM 17th December 2019
Jaguar’s XE Gets A Makeover
Jaguar’s compact saloon is some four years old, time then for a few improvements to keep it competitive. I am not sure that there was much wrong with the previous model, but in a world where increasingly we rely on and desire the very latest technology in our cars, this was…
9:01 PM 7th December 2019
Mazda CX-30 First Drive
An all-new SUV from Mazda was good enough reason for me to hop on a plane to Exeter. The promise of some great driving roads, a comfortable hotel and a breath of sea air were an added bonus. Despite a definite drop in new car sales in the UK, Mazda has…
8:29 AM 7th December 2019
Capable Korando – SsangYong’s SUV On Test
It had been a while since I had driven anything made by Korean manufacturer SsangYong, so the all-new Korando seemed like a good place to start. Aiming to take on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Vauxhall Mokka and the plethora of competent rivals, at first glance the Korando looks to…
10:47 PM 26th November 2019
Time To Get Retyred
Regular readers will know that I recently purchased a 2003 Mazda MX-5. In generally good condition, bar a wheel arch rust bubble or two, the car came with plenty of service history. This shows caring ownership and is always a good sign. It was therefore something of a surprise to fully…
9:24 AM 18th November 2019
A Little Gallic Flair - Citroen C5 Aircross On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Earlier this year I attended the UK launch of Citroen’s bold new C5 Aircross. As is often the way on such events, there is a lot do in a very short period of time. I was therefore delighted to welcome a prime example to my Yorkshire driveway for a little…
10:25 AM 13th November 2019
Volvo’s XC40 - The Swedish SUV Smoothie
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Just occasionally I end up driving over a thousand miles in a week and not always in a car suited for such adventures. However, there are times when the car on the driveway is ideal. Case in point the week before last when a launch in the Cotswolds, a concert in…
9:03 AM 10th November 2019
Lamborghini Expands UK Dealer Network With New Leeds Showroom
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
It shows a lot of confidence to open a brand-new supercar dealership in the current economic climate but that’s what the Parks Motor Group has just done. Alongside its existing McLaren showroom now sits the UK’s eleventh Lamborghini dealership. Located on the south east side of Leeds, with easy access to…
10:39 AM 9th November 2019
The Yorke Arms, Ramsgill – A Hidden Gem
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I am a huge fan of Nidderdale, having got to know the area well when I worked in Harrogate and Pateley Bridge many years ago. Stunning scenery, fabulous driving roads and friendly people make it a lovely location for a day trip. I have passed the Yorke Arms many times over…
9:32 PM 7th November 2019
New Land Rover Discovery Sport - First Drive
Five years ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to watch the first Land Rover Discovery Sport roll off the production line at Halewood. The all-new model took the British marque into a new sector and what a smart move this has proved to be. Succeeding the ageing Freelander, the…
10:48 AM 27th October 2019
Hybrid Power For Honda’s Popular CR-V
According to Honda, the CR-V is the world’s best-selling SUV. On sale since 1995, as each generation passes, the new model moves the game forward in key areas. More refinement, better safety equipment, lower emissions and more toys has been the order of the day. With diesel engines falling rapidly out…
9:43 AM 26th October 2019
Ring Road Upgrade To Cut Journey Times And Boost Connectivity In York
Proposed project will cut congestion and maintain the city's historic character. Drivers across Yorkshire could soon benefit from faster and safer journeys thanks to the approval of the next stage in the development of the York Outer Ring Road. The proposed project will cut congestion and maintain the city’s historic character by…
3:32 PM 18th October 2019
Bentley Bentayga V8 - Class Act
At a recent drive event, I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with the latest Bentley Bentayga, in Black Specification no less. The Dove Grey paintwork is subtly enhanced by some rather lovely carbon fibre additions, namely to the sills, bumpers and spoiler. Add in 22-inch black alloy wheels…
4:07 PM 8th October 2019
New T-cross From Volkswagen
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Volkswagen are on a mission to offer an SUV in every sector. So far, we have Touareg, Tiguan Allspace, Tiguan, T-Roc and now T-Cross, the smallest member of this burgeoning family. Is this overkill or just a response to consumer demand? After a week behind the wheel, you can read my…
1:19 PM 8th October 2019
Volvo Is Charging Forward With Its Electrification Programme
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Volvo is continuing its drive for full electrification of its range, with the aim to improve the quality of air in our cities and also to increase the success of the business. It is a strategy that seems to be working in the UK as sales increased by 9% in 2018,…
3:55 AM 8th October 2019
Supercar Manufacturer McLaren Opens Leeds Showroom
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
McLaren Leeds, a brand-new McLaren retail facility, officially opened last night with a launch event featuring iconic supercars from the fast-moving marque’s legacy as well as the recently launched McLaren GT and McLaren Senna GTR. The event was attended by both existing and prospective customers. Appointed as an official retailer in…
12:17 PM 6th October 2019
Unimogs On Tour – A Chance To Drive
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
In the depths of winter, a local farmer brings out his ultimate go-anywhere vehicle – a Unimog. I have often admired it from afar but have never had the opportunity to get behind the wheel… until now. Unimog is made by Mercedes-Benz and as part of a new campaign to raise…
2:35 PM 30th September 2019
Faster Than A Speeding Bullitt – Mustang
I am happy to admit that I love the Ford Mustang and was delighted when Ford made the decision to produce a right-hand drive version back in 2016. I have been lucky enough to spend a good deal of time behind the wheel and have enjoyed every mile, even in versions…
4:23 PM 27th September 2019
BMW 7 Series – Destination Frankfurt
When I last journeyed to the Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago, I enjoyed the ‘delights’ of Ryanair. To be fair, the flight was on time and quick, cheap but not cheerful. The idea was hatched this time round to drive to the show with three other journalist mates. It would…
9:27 PM 26th September 2019
Alpine A110 - A Keen Driver’s Delight
Every year the Northern Group of Motoring Writers chooses a Car of the Year. The current format sees members pick the three most outstanding cars that they have driven during the past twelve months. However, to add a little spice to the occasion, members also choose a wild card entry, a…
6:02 AM 16th September 2019
BMW’s Supersize X7 Takes A Bow
I remember when the BMW X5 was launched in 1999. It was the German manufacturer’s first foray into the world of the SUV. The emphasis was more on sporty on-road driving rather than off-road prowess. I must confess to coveting one and once a year or two had passed, did contemplate…
6:48 PM 1st September 2019
All Ravved Up, Many Places To Go!
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
There has been a Toyota RAV4 in our family since 1999. Our first, an original five-door GX, provided excellent all-weather family transport for five years or so. Of appeal was the raised driving position, great build quality and the fact that it was fun to chuck around the country lanes. It…
7:30 PM 27th August 2019
Highways England Urging Motorists To ‘Check It Before Towing It’
Highways England is calling on motorists to ‘check it before towing it’ following dramatic footage showing a trailer rolling down the M25 in Surrey. The incident happened on the Surrey/Kent border and caused five miles of tailbacks with delays of around 40 minutes. There are around 4,000 incidents every year involving all…
4:12 AM 21st August 2019
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