Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

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.

Drivers 'not always watching road'

MOTORISTS typically have their eyes off the road for a tenth of the time they are driving, a study has shown. For 10% of their journey they are eating, reaching for the phone, texting or engaged in other activities that cause concentration to wander away from what is happening beyond the windscreen. Predictably, teenagers who had recently passed their test were most likely to crash or experience a near-miss as a result of being distracted, according to US researchers.

Return Of BRZ SE Reduces Entry-Level Price

SUBARU has expanded its BRZ sports car range with the re-introduction of the entry level SE model. Priced at £22,495, the addition of the SE model comes after the original price reduction of £2,500 for the SE Lux variant in the summer. Customers now have the choice of four BRZ models: SE manual £22,495 SE auto £23,995 SE Lux manual £23,995 SE Lux auto £25,495 SE specification is said to be generous, with keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, sports seats, limited slip differential and front, side, curtain and knee airbags all standard fit.