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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.

New Images: Mercedes Unimog concept

Mercedes-Benz's Special Trucks unit (MBS) recently revealed a design study celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Unimog at the Daimler plant in Wörth, Germany. Called simply '60 Years Unimog', the concept is said to inform the future form language of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle design. Developed jointly by the MBS development team, the Daimler commercial vehicle designers in Sindelfingen and a model designing partner, the Unimog concept was inspired by the poison dart frog, a natie of Central and South America.

Kia unveils GT4 Stinger at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

When you hear the brand ‘Kia’, what do you think of? Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Car and seven-year warranties, perhaps? If so, you might be surprised to hear that Kia’s unveiled a rear-wheel drive 315hp coupe that the brand says “pushes the boundaries of performance” and “places man and machine in harmony on the road or track”.