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.

Nissan Qazana concept car (2010): first photo

Nissan Qazana concept car (2010): first photo By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 February 2009 09:00 Nissan today announced its new Qazana concept car – a smaller brother to the Qashqai crossover. The Qazana will morph into a production car in 2010 and the new small crossover will be manufactured in the UK's Sunderland factory, securing 1100 jobs according to Nissan. The Qazana will be the centrepiece of Nissan's stand at the 2009 Geneva motor show.

Hemi Coronet, Triumph 2000 and Bentley top sales at Novi auction

A 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Hemi convertible was the top seller at the second annual Novi Metro Detroit Spring Classic Car Auction on April 27. It crossed the block, which was commandeered by Hagerty. A 1940 Ford V8 Deluxe convertible was second, selling for $37,800.