Valterra Water Pressure Gauge A01-0112 A01-0112vp 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.

Vauxhall Meriva concept (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 28 February 2008 11:45 This is Vauxhall’s new Meriva, and it will be the first mini-MPV with suicide doors. The car in our pictures is the concept, set to be unveiled at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. It gives us huge hints towards the final look of the production car, which will be shown at the Paris show in autumn 2008.

Arrinera 2013 Arrinera

New Polish car company Arrinera has announced that work on the prototype of the new model – also called the Arrinera confusingly – is complete and it will now be embarking on moving the design to production. The company has claimed that the inspiration for the car's design came from that of the stealth-fighter, although there are obvious features reminiscent of Lamborghini, such as the doors, a Reventon-esque front end, Gallardo-like rear intakes, and vents ahead of the rear wheels similar to those on the Murcielago. Arrinera asserts that the cabin will be adorned in only the finest handcrafted leather and carbon fiber and highlighted with aluminum trim.