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Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

AutoWeek Best of the Best 2011: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Jeep Grand Cherokee

Several decades have passed since we handed out an award whereby AutoWeek editors picked the best new vehicles in a given model year. We've dabbled in things such as "America's Best," when we've asked you--our faithful, opinionated and knowledgeable followers--to vote on the best vehicle in certain categories. We drive hundreds of vehicles each year (including all of the newest hardware), report the cold, hard facts and give you our opinions about which vehicles are worth your consideration when the time comes to make one of life's biggest purchases.

Chevy Volt, other key GM vehicles remain on track, new product boss says

The Chevrolet Volt remains on track to hit the market in late 2010--and General Motors is still going to invest in developing key products--despite its financial troubles, a top executive said Thursday. The Volt and other new GM vehicles, such as the Cadillac SRX, the Buick LaCrosse and the Chevy Equinox, remain top priorities--even though the company lost $6 billion in the first quarter of this year and is surviving on government loans. "Great cars and trucks are the only thing.