In April 2011, after nine crashes in three years and five deaths in six years, Steve Barclay launched a campaign with local residents and Councillor John Fish calling for a speed camera to be reactivated and warning signs installed.

The Highways Agency agreed to install the signs, but said the £30k cost would have to be met by the Parish Council because the number of crashes on the road did not meet their stipulated level. At this point they declined to switch the speed camera back on.

Steve then wrote to road safety minister Mike Penning MP to say how disappointed he was that the Highways Agency had not agreed to pay for the signs or reactive the camera.

In September, Steve met David Gingell, Highways Agency divisional director. At the meeting Mr Gingell confirmed that the agency would reactivate the speed camera.

The campaign continued when in March 2012, Steve met again with Mr Gingell and separately with road safety minister Mike Penning MP to discuss the issue of the road signs on the A47. A month later, Mike Penning MP contacted Steve to say the government had instructed the Highways Agency to pay for the signs and reconfirmed the speed camera would be switched back on.

Steve and the local campaigners welcomed this news wholeheartedly as it will help to make this road safer for local residents and drivers using the road. Steve has pledged to continue to monitor the situation closely in case any further action is needed to improve safety on the road.

Steve also secured a visit from road safety minister Mike Penning on a separate road safety issue. The waterway adjacent to Bedlam Bridge is in need of barriers to prevent vehicles running into the canal should they skid, as happened to 9 year old Charlotte Walker who was tragically killed. Having identified this in his maiden speech, Steve persuaded the road safety minister to visit and see the site first hand. As a result of the visit and the campaigning of Graham Chapple and others alongside Steve, the County Council has now undertaken soil testing as a first step to installing the much needed barriers.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “Brake applauds the persistence of Steve Barclay MP, Councillor John Fish and the community in pursuing the reinstatement of a speed camera and new signs. Their hard work has paid off and local residents will be safer because of it. This is a stretch of road that has seen too many needless casualties over the years, causing terrible devastation to families. We hope these measures will mean no more lives are lost in this way. Local drivers can also play their part to prevent more tragedies by pledging to stay within speed limits, and slow right down for bends, junctions and around homes and schools.”

Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, said: “I am honoured to receive the recognition from Brake. There is often a sense within rural communities that their voice is not heard and the initial response from the Highways Agency struck me as dismissive.  It cannot be right that two simple road signs would cost 30k or that a speed camera already in place could not be switched on in response to local concerns.  It is pleasing to see the community work together to have a Minister listened and act on their concerns.  I hope this stretch of road will be a little safer as a result.”

Tweet

The fully interactive ROADWAY Magazine Newsstand app is now available on the App Store: itunes.apple.com/us/app/roadway-magazine/id513388299?ls=1&mt=8

iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users from the UK and over 95 countries can download the free app, giving them the opportunity to view ROADWAY’s highly regarded mix of comment, news, views, expert advice and features focussed on the professional road haulage and logistics industry.

Head of RHA Publications, Peter Shakespeare, said: “Thanks to the legislative and economic pressures placed on the logistics industry in the UK and Europe, our haulage and logistics industry leads the world in terms of efficiency, professionalism and innovation. The trucks, trailers and equipment it uses are rapidly becoming the envy of hauliers across the globe; as are the other products and services the industry relies upon.

“The Road Haulage Association, as ROADWAY’S publisher, is leading the way in communicating excellence and best practice in the UK transport and logistics sector to a truly global audience.”

(Crewe, England & Brescia, Italy. 16 May, 2012) W.O. Bentley’s gift for creating cars that combined the speed of a thoroughbred racing machine with an enviable reputation for strength and comfort, allowing them to effortlessly cover hundreds of miles, is set to be underlined once again at the 2012 Mille Miglia when two 4½ litre Bentley Blowers take on the classic 1,000 mile endurance test.

Despite having a combined age of over 160 years, the Bentley Blowers are showing no signs of slowing down. The 4½ litre Supercharged ‘Birkin Blower’ – raced extensively by the legendary Le Mans winner and Bentley Boy Tim Birkin – has already successfully completed the Mille Miglia in 2005 and 2011.

The Birkin’s companion car is one of 50 Blowers built for road use and still appears at Bentley events around the world. It started life in 1930 as one of the company’s first showroom demonstrators and is still performing its fair share of ‘test drives’ eight decades later. Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering, who is leading the Bentley team at the Mille Miglia comments:

“It is a privilege for the team to drive these remarkable cars at the Mille Miglia as they embody so many of the qualities that set Bentley apart from other marques and W.O. Bentley’s brilliance as an engineer. We look forward to driving another thousand miles and setting a decent pace in the true Bentley tradition.”

A 1954 company-owned R-Type Continental has also made the journey from England to Italy. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant cars to have sported Bentley’s distinctive ‘Winged B’ emblem, the R-Type was also the world’s fastest four seat luxury saloon when it was launched in 1952 (delivering a top speed of 115mph) and this year marks the car’s 60th Anniversary.

The best of Bentley’s motoring past will be accompanied across Italy by two modern Crewe-built cars – the 6.0 litre W12 Continental GT coupe and the recently launched 4.0 litre V8 GTC convertible –  which are playing a pivotal role in cementing Bentley’s position as one of the world’s leading luxury carmakers.

Combining exhilarating levels of performance with all the advantages of a highly sophisticated all-wheel drive system as well as luxurious, handcrafted cabins, today’s Bentley Continentals uphold the marque’s reputation for building cars that can cover great distances quickly and with supreme ease.

Bentley’s newly introduced 4.0 litre V8 engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rev/min, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition.

Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.7 seconds for the GTC convertible and a top speed of 187 mph (303 km/h). At the same time, the new V8 achieves outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions for the luxury sector and is capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel.

Tweet

BCA will sell both cars and LCV’s for Arval at three locations – Blackbushe and Edinburgh (cars) and Measham (commercial vehicles) – with all vehicles offered via Live Online.

BCA will conduct customer collections and end-of-term inspections on Arval vehicles and will also provide back office services for Arval’s trade platform, Arval Motor Trade.

The Arval vehicles will be pre-sale conditioned by BCA Smart Prepared services, including trade name deletion on commercial vehicles.

BCA Sales Director Mark Hankey commented “We are delighted to be working with Arval in the UK on this strategic integrated remarketing programme,

He added “We will bring the full weight of BCA’s award winning website to promote the Arval stock, building brand-awareness with our customers through online and physical point of sale media.  We are confident our comprehensive remarketing package will continue to outperform the market on an end to end basis, in terms of speed, efficiency and cost against return.”

Nick Saunders, Head of Remarketing at Arval commented “BCA have a large pool of buyers and that is critical for success when dealing with the volumes of stock we sell. We look forward to BCA generating the buyer support that leads to consistently strong residual values.”

This hugely experienced group of senior executives joins the association at an important time as it helps fight the industry’s corner on a number of key issues, including rising insurance costs, government red tape and the recent tax attack launched on business cars.

Peter Cakebread, managing director of Marshall Leasing, has agreed to take the position of vice-chairman of the association and will take over as BVRLA chairman when Neil Cunningham steps down in May 2013.

The BVRLA Chairman is responsible for leading the BVRLA Committee of Management – in effect its board of directors – which saw four new members added today:

• Richard Schooling, chief executive of Alphabet.
• Bart Beckers, managing director of Arval.
• Kaye Ceille, managing director of Avis Budget UK.
• Andrew Morley, sales and marketing director of Prohire, joins in his role as chairman of the BVRLA Commercial Vehicle Committee.

Making way for the new quartet are former BVRLA chairman and vice-chair Kevin McNally of LeasePlan and Ian Tilbrook of Alphabet, formerly ING Car Lease.

“Kevin helped steer the association and through the height of the financial crisis and some immensely challenging discussions with major fleet vehicle manufacturers,” said BVRLA chief executive, John Lewis.

“We were ably assisted by Ian, who has been one of the committee’s most active participants during his stint.”

“We must also thank former Avis managing director Kevin Bradshaw and Elliot Lennick of MAN Financial Services, who stepped down last year.”

Elsewhere, the BVRLA’s member committees have new vice-chairs. These are:

• Commercial Vehicle Committee: Victoria Hudson, managing director of Eurohire Vehicle Rentals.
• Rental Committee: Ian Feast, operations director of Avis Budget UK
• Leasing and Fleet Management Committee: Keith Allen, managing director of ALD
• Leasing Broker Committee: Paul Huxford, managing director of PHVC

“It is great to welcome these new faces because we certainly have some new challenges for them to focus on,” said BVRLA chief executive, John Lewis.

H&H Classics has consigned the 1963 Jaguar E-Type ‘Lightweight No.14’ for its upcoming private sale showcase at Motorexpo, Canary Wharf, June 11-17. This sensational-looking motorcar was recently assembled by Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC) of Bridgnorth and is to full ‘Works’ specification complete with genuine Jaguar aluminium monocoque (No.14 of 18) and powered by a period all-alloy, fuel-injected 3.8-litre XK engine mated to an original factory ZF gearbox.

Of optimum specification and considerable historical significance, it is without question one of the most desirable E-Types to come to open market in recent years. And, with values of each of the 12 original Lightweight E-Types currently increasing year-on-year, ‘4 GXO’ represents potentially wonderful value for money.

Jaguar produced just 12 all-aluminium Lightweight E-type race cars in 1963, but among the related spares were a further six bodyshells, eight all-alloy engines and a number of ZF gearboxes. Bodyshell No.14 remained unused until acquired by marque specialist Lynx Motors during its mid-1970s restoration of the famous Peter Lindner car, which had been very badly damaged in his fatal accident at Montlhéry in 1964. Both the reincarnation and the original twisted shell then sat at the Rosso Bianco Museum until 2007, when they were acquired by CMC. Having decided the original structure was restorable after all, they duly stripped bodyshell No.14 of its components, leaving it free as the basis of another Lightweight.

The all-alloy engine was acquired from the Walter Hill Collection in the USA and the ZF gearbox from marque specialist Eagle E-Types. The remaining parts were primarily sourced from a 1963 Roadster, whose chassis number was only 10 removed from that of the Lindner car. The seats are original Lightweight E-Type items and the registration ‘4 GXO’ is just two digits different to that worn by one of the 12 original Lightweight cars (‘2 GXO’).

‘4 GXO’ was recently tested by renowned Jaguar authority and historian Paul Skilleter, who is happy to regard it as ‘Lightweight No.14’ and therefore truly representative of the iconic Works cars of 1963. Said H&H’s Marketing Manager, Richard Caton: “We are naturally thrilled to be able to offer this very exciting E-Type, which provides a unique opportunity for Jaguar collectors the world over.”

London’s Motorexpo (motorexpo.com) is taking place at Canary Wharf, June 11-17. The H&H showcase will span the entire week – among the other cars consigned so far is one of only 20 Lamborghini Reventóns ever made.

Tweet

Welcoming the news, the company’s European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson said: “We developed a range of gravel and asphalt products especially for this series, which proved very popular prior to the advent of single-make control tyres, so we are delighted at the change of regulation and confident of a positive response from the teams.”

Kumho has enjoyed ever-increasing success in the rally world and, for example, has been the tyre supplier for all five of Eugene Donnelly’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship victories and last year’s win in the French Gravel Rally Championship by two-times European Rally Champion Simon Jean-Joseph.

Added Steve Thompson: “Much as we enjoy modern rallying, the older cars bring their own set of challenges; ones we are equally adept at meeting. We very much look forward to being an integral part of next year’s historic scene.”

MG is searching for candidates to form a top team of promotional staff for the rest of the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season. For successful candidates it could be the start of a career in modelling or promotional work.

The MG KX Momentum Racing team is already attracting lots of attention from race fans and the Press with double-champion Jason Plato leading the championship in his racing MG6 GT after three rounds of the series. His teammate, Andy Neate, has been dogged by bad luck but is fighting back strongly with seven rounds of the championship still to go.

As a member of the eight-strong MG promotional support team, you will be able to help us have as much success off track as the drivers are having on the tarmac.

We are looking to uncover the faces of the future. So, if you are an aspiring model or have always fancied trying out some promotional work then this could be just the break you were looking for. It’s an opportunity to get involved with an iconic brand at a series of high profile events, covered live on ITV.

MG Motor UK will cover all your expenses, provide accommodation over the race weekends and arrange for photographs to be taken throughout the season which you can use to start or add to your portfolio.

This opportunity is open to people over the age of 17. Although the races are at tracks across the UK, the factory support team always departs from the MG factory in Birmingham, so being located in the Midlands would be an advantage – we are always keen to work with the local community.

If you want to join the MG team then you need to provide us with two recent photographs and explain in no more than 500 words why you think you have what it takes to be one of the faces of MG for 2012.

Please remember that the MG team will be chosen for their personality and brains and not just their looks so the statement is far more important than a glamorous picture!

To be considered please send your photographs and statement along with your date of birth, home address and contact numbers to: MG Promotional Staff Search, MG Motor UK, Sales & Marketing Department, Lowhill Lane, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2BQ. You an also e-mail info@mgmotor.co.uk using MG Promotional Staff as the subject heading.

The closing date for applications is Monday, May 28 2012 at 5.30pm. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to a final review and fitting of team clothing at MG Birmingham later that week.

Tweet

The new 95PS Euro 5-compliant Combo unit will be available in L1H1 and L2H1 body types. The engine also features Start/Stop technology achieving CO₂ emissions of 163g/km and 40.3mpg combined on the short wheelbase model.

Vauxhall’s ever-popular Corsavan range sees the addition of a new engine option, a 1.2 petrol unit also with Start/Stop.  The new Corsavan engine boasts CO₂ of 119g/km, a saving of 5g/km over the standard 1.2 engine, and 55.4mpg combined.

“The inclusion of new petrol engines to the New Combo and Corsavan ranges is in response to increased customer demand,” said Steve Bryant, Brand Manager, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles.  “Certain Vauxhall customers want the option of a petrol engine especially with respect to both current fuel prices and the operator’s specific working environment.”

Vauxhall is the number one van manufacturer in the UK, building over 70,000 commercial vehicles at its plants in Luton, Bedfordshire and Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Vauxhall sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other manufacturer.  The Luton-based manufacturer sold an impressive 11,436 vans to small businesses last year with sales up 28.05 per cent in a market up 8.32 per cent.

Buoyed by the offer of four years zero per cent APR, four years’ free servicing, four years’ warranty and four years’ breakdown assistance, the sales success has continued this year with Vauxhall CVs securing top spot in the retail market for March and April, and year-to-date.

Tweet

Steve Moody, Fleet World Editor and chair of the judging panel, said: “In the last 18 months Toyota has come back – with a bang. Its fleet department has made massive strides, ensuring it can offer fleets better terms and service, communicating better in a number of ways, including its excellent new online customer portals. And with new products, the Japanese giant is a major force in fleet again. No wonder sales have rocketed as a result.”

Ewan Shepherd, General Manager Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services said: “We have experienced a cracking start to 2012 and this award confirms that the hard work and dedication of the team is reaping rewards.

“We have recently launched our downloadable Company Car Tax Guide and are fully engaged in introducing a great range of new products in the coming months, including Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Prius+, Prius Plug-in and Lexus GS, which we are confident will have a positive impact in the fleet market.”

Toyota was presented with its Fleet World award at a ceremony at the RAC Club in London on Wednesday (16 May).

Tweet