A £20 million investment into the Canalside South regeneration scheme in Wolverhampton was today announced by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has provided the loan facility to Wavensmere Homes to bring about the £150 million redevelopment and provide hundreds of new homes, including 109 affordable plots. Canalside South is one of the biggest regeneration projects of its kind in the region with more than 530 new energy efficient homes to be delivered across the former British Steel and Crane Foundry site and land off Qualcast Road, which has lain derelict for 15…
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Telling road users to not let worn tyres be the third wheel this Valentine’s Day TyreSafe, the UK’s road safety charity dedicated to raising awareness of tyre safety, is kicking off its February ‘Love Your Tyres’ campaign, a light-hearted yet crucial reminder to all road users to prioritise regular tyre checks. Despite an estimated three in five Brits parting with hard-earned cash to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a recent survey conducted in partnership with the RAC, revealed that only a third (33%) of drivers check their vehicle’s tyre tread at least once a month – the minimum recommendation by road…
Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by -20.5% in the first month of 2025 with 19,050 vans, pick-ups and 4x4s registered, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A second consecutive monthly decline follows robust growth in 2024, and is set against a tough economic backdrop and weakened business confidence to invest. Falling demand hit all but one segment, with small van registrations recording the only increase, up 89.8% to 668 units but still just a fraction (3.5%) of the market. Registrations of the largest vans were down -22.3%…
1,200 young people, parents and carers learned about local opportunities at the Solihull Apprenticeship Show. The event took place on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at North Solihull Sports Centre. Those in attendance had the opportunity to find out more about Apprenticeships up to degree level, Supported Internships and entry level work opportunities, demonstrating the wide variety of career paths available for young people. More than 40 employers and training providers across various sectors including construction, financial, creative, digital and engineering were on hand to talk to visitors. Exhibitors included JLR, the NEC group, Rolls-Royce, Solihull College & University Centre, West…
New Park Village estate today saw a historic milestone as the excavators moved in to start demolishing decaying 1960s maisonettes and pave the way for new homes. It is part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will see 205 outdated residential properties flattened and replaced with 188 new energy efficient homes. Poor quality bungalows on Valley Road have already been removed by contractor DSM Demolition and now the main flats at Ellerton Walk, which sit within 8 linked deck access blocks each with integral garages at ground floor level are being pulled down. The regeneration…
The event, hosted by Connexions Sandwell, saw 2,542 young people/parents attending, which easily beat the previous record attendance of 2,329 in 2024. The record number of visitors were able to meet 50 exhibitors, all keen to inspire, recruit and educate the next generation of Sandwell young workers. Connexions advisers were on hand to give independent careers information, advice and guidance. In addition, and one young person on work experience with Connexions helped the event to run smoothly. Sandwell Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Jalal Uddin, said: “Sandwell’s young people are the future of the borough. We…
EVs take more than a fifth of new car registrations as overall market contracts by -2.5% to 139,345 units. Slowdowns recorded by both fleet and private buyers against backdrop of weak economic confidence. Industry calls for halt to EV tax hikes as latest outlook anticipates 23.7% market share for 2025 below government targets. The UK new car market fell by -2.5% to 139,345 units in January, according to data released today by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as weak consumer confidence and tough economic conditions combined to deliver the fourth consecutive month of decline. Registrations by both…
According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the used car market has begun the new year on firm footing despite concerns around the economy, with cars selling at a record pace, engagement on Auto Trader accelerating to seasonal highs, and retail prices continuing to stabilise. Based on over 800,000 daily observations across the whole retail market, Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index reveals the average retail price of a used car (£16,774) was flat in January on a month-on-month (MoM) and like-for-like basis; a contrast to the -1.9% recorded in January 2024. And with trade values recently trending above retail,…
If you have a short film incorporating a car theme in some way, or you’re planning to shoot a film in the next month or so, why not enter it in the recently established International Auto Film Festa?Created in Japan in 2023, and now entering its third judging and awards season, the International Auto Film Festa is arguably the only annual film festival focused on cars and car culture.In 2024, the festival received over 470 entries from 65 countries, with Portugal’s director Mario Bock winning the Grand Prix award for his film ‘Gears & Dunes: The Old Road To Dakar.’…
Milton Keynes – The Volkswagen Polo has started 2025 with a bang, after being named the Best Car of the Half Century as part of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. It means the UK’s number-one motor manufacturer can celebrate back-to-back wins for this prestigious award, after the Golf received the same accolade last year. The Best Car of the Half Century title plays a significant part in the annual British Motor Show, which this year is due to take place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 to 17 August.…