search
date/time
Yorkshire Times
Voice of the North
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturewhatson
Volkswagen Golf – The 8th Generation On Test
It seems hard to believe that it is 45 years since the first Golf rolled off the production line, with some 35 million examples built. A top seller in Europe, UK buyers have always warmly embraced the Golf and therefore the importance of an all-new version cannot be underestimated. The…
The Focus Of My Attention – Sporty ST On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Ford has a history of making hot hatches that offer high performance thrills, coupled with affordable pricing and practicality. The concept still works today and allows the enthusiastic driver to own a car that will be suitable for family duties one minute and excite on a favourite piece of B-road…
6:03 PM 11th August 2020
Want To Go On A Road Trip With Your Dog?
photo credit Driving with Dogs
Try some pawsitively brilliant walks near Highways England routes Drivers planning a post lockdown trip with their dogs are being urged to take a break and enjoy one of the many outstanding walks that can be found just off England’s motorways and major A roads this summer. After the restrictions of…
4:08 PM 6th August 2020
Gocycle – That’s Just What I Did!
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I was a keen cyclist in my early teens and spent many a happy hour in the saddle. I journeyed to school and back for many years, a 6-mile round trip and enjoyed many a leisure ride. It was all about personal freedom and it meant I could steer clear…
9:05 AM 5th August 2020
Drivers Advised To Plan Journeys Ahead Of M621 Weekend Work
Drivers planning to travel on the M621 are being advised that an exit off the route will be closed for eight weekends, starting this Saturday (1 August). The exit slip road at junction 7 will be shut for barrier work from 6am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. The work, which…
2:22 AM 1st August 2020
Electric Dreams - Honda e First Drive
The new Honda e has been a while in the making. First seen as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019, the showroom-ready model was unveiled last September at Frankfurt and much to everyone’s delight it had remained unchanged and was bristling with cool features. It attracted…
2:17 AM 27th July 2020
Highways England Say Check Before You Travel This Summer
Routes to the South West are expected to be busy this summer as the region tops the list of ‘staycation’ destinations. As the school year ends and more people holiday in the UK, Highways England is urging motorists to check before travelling. Nearly 20 per cent of breakdowns on Highways England roads…
10:58 AM 25th July 2020
Thrill’s Aplenty With The Lotus Exige
The email came in from Lotus. Would I like to join them at the motoring mecca known as Caffeine and Machine for a little sportscar fun? Having been locked away for the last few months, my hasty acceptance duly followed. All too soon I was heading south to Stratford Upon Avon,…
8:16 AM 23rd July 2020
Lockdown Wheels - Land Rover Discovery Sport On Test
I was lucky enough to watch the first Land Rover Discovery Sport roll off the production line at Halewood way back in 2014. It is now the company’s best-selling model. Last year saw an all-new version hit the showrooms, using Land Rover’s premium transverse architecture, the aim being to deliver greater…
8:54 AM 22nd July 2020
Touareg Tales – VW’s Super SUV On Test
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
The third generation of Volkswagen’s Touareg has been on sale for a couple of years and it sits at the top of company’s range of SUVs. It is a comprehensive collection too comprising T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace. Plenty to choose from… What is it? In order to broaden the Touareg’s…
5:25 PM 13th July 2020
Miles And Miles Of Safety Improvements On A64
Work to improve the pedestrian area at Crambeck is making good progress
As staycations become the popular choice of holiday this summer, drivers using 55-mile coastal route between Bramham and Scarborough will spot a number of major changes as work to create better and safer journeys makes significant progress. Highways England is carrying out work on many sections of the A64 as part…
11:05 AM 11th July 2020
Getting Back Behind The Wheel? Here’s Some Useful Advice
Simple steps to stay safe on the roads
Drivers getting back behind the wheel are being urged to carry out safety checks on their vehicles before setting off on their journeys this summer. Some cars have been rarely used during lockdown, so it’s essential to make sure they’re fit for purpose. Drivers may also feel out of practice if…
11:20 AM 7th July 2020
Next Stage Of North Lincolnshire Port Route Upgrade Begins
Work on a series of upgrades that will create safer roads in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire is moving to a new phase. Highways England is carrying out improvements along the M180, M181, A180 and A160 over the next 12 months to provide smoother journeys for drivers. This will create better links…
3:14 PM 3rd July 2020
Drivers Advised To Plan Journeys Around A628 Weekend Closure In South Yorkshire
Drivers traveling on the A628 this weekend are being advised that the route will be closed for essential maintenance work near to Longside Moss. The A628 is fully closed from 8pm on Friday 3 July until 6am on Monday 6 July between Flouch roundabout and the Gun Inn. This is to…
7:47 PM 1st July 2020
£3.95 Million Funding For Major Highway Routes In Hull
Almost £4 million will be spent on three major highways routes in Hull, the Department for Transport has announced. The £3.95 million funding will see major repairs to three sections of the city’s key route network. Work will be carried out at the A165 Holderness Road from Witham to Southcoates Lane, the…
9:54 PM 30th June 2020
Hard Top Name Returns For Commercial Land Rover Defender
Land Rover has confirmed the new commercial Defender 90 and 110 models will restore the Hard Top name to its rugged 4x4 family. The versatile and durable Defender Hard Top will be launched later this year, combining unstoppable all-terrain capability with 21st-century connectivity to give professionals a unique combination of…
1:00 AM 30th June 2020
From Canoes And Beds To Metal Sheds - The Shed-loads Of Items Found On Our Busiest Roads
Camera footage warns of the dangers posed by unsecured loads Shed-loads of items found on busiest roads - from bicycles and roof boxes to a four-poster bed Highways England urges drivers to make sure loads are safely secured A four-poster bed, a canoe and a bike…
1:00 AM 30th June 2020
The Italian Job Comes To Yorkshire – Be Part Of It!
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
I am a great fan of the Italian Job and was excited to find out about an exciting event coming to Yorkshire later this year. Inspired by the 1969 Michael Caine film of the same name, the Italian Job motoring holiday has been (for the last 30 years) a road trip…
11:50 AM 29th June 2020
Drivers Advised To Plan Journeys Around Key Yorkshire Interchange Closure
Diversion routes for all affected traffic
Road users are advised to plan their journeys ahead of vital maintenance work on a key Yorkshire interchange at the centre of the M1 and M62 motorway network. Lofthouse Interchange (M1 junction 42 / M62 junction 29) near Leeds requires an eight-week closure to allow engineers to carry out a £3.6…
9:25 AM 26th June 2020
M180 Closures For Urgent Repairs Start This Weekend
Drivers making journeys on the M180 are being advised that starting this weekend the westbound carriageway will be closed overnight for three weeks so urgent repair work can be carried out. Resurfacing work between junctions 3 and 1 will start on Saturday (27 June). So the work can be carried out…
9:22 AM 26th June 2020
M1 Junction Upgrade To Start Near Leeds
Work will begin next week to create more room and improve a key junction on the M1 in Yorkshire. Highways England is installing an extra lane on the northbound exit slip road at junction 47 near Garforth to improve safety and congestion for drivers. Highways England project manager Steve Bishop said: “This project…
7:38 PM 23rd June 2020
Farewell Mercedes X-Class. It Has Been A Pleasure
As lockdown eased in England, I was lucky enough to spend a week with the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup. It came at a useful time, with plenty of runs to the tip and assorted errands to catch up with. What is it? Mercedes decided to enter the pickup market just a few years…
4:21 AM 22nd June 2020
Major Upgrade That Will Reshape Hull Gets Started
A major road upgrade that promises to completely transform one of the North’s major cities is now officially under way. Work started today to improve the A63 Castle Street, which will create a much better connection between the city centre and the retail and docks area. This major Highways England project will…
7:34 AM 19th June 2020
Major Yorkshire Interchange Closed For Extensive Eight-week Maintenance Work ​
A key Yorkshire interchange at the centre of the M1 and M62 motorway network will undergo essential maintenance work later this month. Lofthouse Interchange (M1 junction 42 / M62 junction 29) near Leeds requires an eight-week closure to allow engineers to carry out a £3.6 million project on the roundabout’s four…
3:10 PM 17th June 2020
50 Years Of Range Rover - A Celebratory Model
On 17th June 1970, we witnessed the arrival of the Range Rover. The story however begins in the mid-1960s when Rover’s new projects engineering chief, Charles Spencer ‘Spen’ King hatched a plan to combine the comfort and on-road ability of a Rover saloon with the off-road ability of a Land…
7:51 AM 17th June 2020
The Yorkshire SME Using Ancient Materials To Transform The UK's Roads
Harry Pearl, CEO of Roadmender Asphalt
Annual repair bill of potholes in UK costs £4bn Introduction of Roman materials to innovative road repairs will provide for permanent pothole repair Easier and quicker to deploy materials mean that potholes are filled 5x quicker A return of Roman roads? The state of British roads is a…
7:39 PM 10th June 2020
Milestone For Major M621 Project
Progress has been made on the noise barrier on the M621 carriageway
The first phase of a major project to improve journeys on an important commuter route in Yorkshire has been completed. Drivers can look forward to shorter and more reliable journeys into and around Leeds after Highways England finished work to widen the M621 Middleton (junction 7). Highways England project manager Sujad Hussain…
2:42 PM 10th June 2020
Sizzling Summer Offers From Suzuki
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Suzuki is keen to see buyers return to its showrooms and so have announced a range of tempting offers. 0% PCP offers across the range (excluding Jimny) 7-day return offer until September 30th New hybrid models now on sale Suzuki dealers in England are now open for business and hopefully other regions of…
1:31 PM 8th June 2020
Empty Roads Leads To Councils Delight!
Councils have been taking advantage of empty roads for wide-scale pothole repair. Quieter roads have allowed for whole-scale works on British roads, as Councils have seen an opportunity to fill as many potholes as possible. In Shropshire for example, the number of potholes have almost halved, while Derbyshire County Council have…
2:59 PM 5th June 2020
Road Users Urged To Plan Journeys Ahead Of A628 Weekend Closure
Drivers who need to travel on the A628 this weekend are being advised that the route will be closed for essential maintenance work near to Longside Moss. The A628 is fully closed from 8pm tomorrow (Friday 5 June) until 6am on Monday 8 June between Flouch roundabout and the Gun Inn.…
10:13 AM 5th June 2020
Complex Work On Iconic Yorkshire Structure Finishes A Year In Advance
Engineers have defied the odds to complete complex work on an iconic Yorkshire structure one year ahead of schedule. All 208 bearings have been replaced by contractors working diligently underneath Ouse Bridge, which sits on the M62 and spans River Ouse between Goole and Howden. Suspended 25 metres above the ground,…
2:18 PM 20th May 2020
Estate Car Excellence From Peugeot – 508 SW On Test
Once the default family conveyance, the estate car has faded from prominence over the last decade or so as buyers increasing turn to SUVs to cater for their needs. Keener drivers may have been missing out as most wagons will comfortably outhandle their loftier cousins. Peugeot has never abandoned the estate…
1:57 PM 19th May 2020
Audi’s Supersize Q8 On Test
The march of the SUV seems endless as all manufacturers battle it out for a share of the growing market. A raised driving position, looks and practicality seem to be the driving factor. Time then, for another test! What is it? The Q8 is Audi’s range-topping SUV and one which puts stylish…
12:18 PM 18th May 2020
Mazda’s First Fully Electric Car Available To Order – Behold The MX-30
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
In a year that sees Mazda celebrate its centenary, Mazda UK is also looking to the future with the announcement of pricing for the Mazda MX-30 First Edition – the debut model in the MX-30 range. Limited to 500 examples, the Mazda MX-30 First Edition is available to pre-order now…
7:06 AM 15th May 2020
Traffic Bulletin: M57 Link Road Repairs Near Huyton
A link road which connects two Merseyside motorways will be closed for maintenance work from tomorrow night (Friday 8 May). The road which links the westbound M62 to the northbound M57 at Tarbock Island near Huyton will be closed for resurfacing and inspection work while traffic levels are around two thirds…
2:57 PM 8th May 2020
Czech Out The New Octavia – From SKODA Of Course
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
Fourth-generation Octavia launches with two First Edition models SE Tech trim created to appeal to business users New design, plus a raft of new safety and assistance systems Hatch and estate versions available Three engine options from launch SE First Edition trim starts from £22,390 OTR Additional derivatives and powertrains join later this year, including entry…
2:16 PM 4th May 2020
A1(M) To Get New Lease Of Life Near Doncaster
A five-mile stretch of the A1(M) near Doncaster is getting a new lease of life thanks to a project to improve safety along the route. Highways England is replacing the steel barrier in the central reservation with a new concrete barrier to provide better protection for drivers. The new barrier will prevent…
1:38 PM 27th April 2020
The New Vantage – An Astonishing Car!
There are not many things that would get me up at 5.30am on a cold, dark autumnal morning. However, the prospect of a day with Aston Martin and the opportunity to drive the then new Vantage was not to be missed. Although used to driving myself to car events, the lovely…
11:36 AM 17th April 2020
Waving Goodbye To Potholes Forever?
Could you be waving goodbye to potholes forever? Introducing the road repair technologies that could save UK motorists £4bn per year row[]Potholes cause despair and anger for motorists up and down the land. These unavoidable menaces cost British car owners £4bn in insurance claims annually, and such is the gravity of people…
1:43 PM 16th 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
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…
1:51 AM 25th 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
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
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
Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
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
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
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
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
more