Operation Brock has been deployed on the M20 motorway in Kent after queues of trucks continued to build up due to the closure of the French border.
Operation Brock will replace Operation Stack, which was activated overnight on Sunday as an initial response to France’s 11pm closure of the border.
Highways England had initially planned to deploy Operation Brock overnight on Sunday 27 December, in preparation for the end of the EU transition period on 31 December.
It has been bought forward to better manage the thousands of lorries stranded in Kent.
It allows traffic to continue to use both carriageways, while queuing port-bound HGVs.
Operation Brock opens up more of the Kent road network than Operation Stack, which effectively closes the coastbound M20 to traffic.
When Operation Brock is in force, it is a legal requirement for hauliers only to use the signed routs for HGV journeys to the Port of Dover and Channel Tunnel.
If disruption is excessive, HGVs can be directed to a holding site at Manston Airfield.
Truckers who fail to comply with instructions face fines and further delays.
Operation Brock, added Highways England, “will remain in place until further notice”.
Driving lessons and tests have been suspended in English areas under coronavirus Tier 4 restrictions, the DVSA has confirmed.
Instructors have been instructed not to provide driving lessons and motorcycle training in Tier 4 areas unless it’s with someone from their own household.
Driving instructors also must not travel out of a Tier 4 areas to teach somewhere else.
Tier 4 restrictions cover London, parts of the South East and parts of the East of England.
Learner drivers can check the coronavirus restrictions in their local area via a government postcode checker.
The guidance includes the suspension of training for key workers, says the Driving Instructors Association. “This will remain under review throughout this latest period of restriction.”
Driving lessons and motorcycle training can still take place in areas in Tiers 1, 2 and 3, adds the DVSA.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Welsh government has also suspended driving lessons and tests as part of its new nationwide alert level 4 restrictions.
These were halted on 20 December and will not take place until the restrictions are lifted.
In Scotland, driving lessons and motorcycle training can take place in areas in protection levels 0, 1, 2 and 3.
They are not allowed in areas in protection level 4.
In Northern Ireland, new restrictions come into force on 26 December for six weeks.
This means the DVA has cancelled all driving tests between 28 December to 6 February.
Young drivers now have the option of taking out a Pay As You Go car insurance policy to reduce their motoring expenses.
Developed by Peterborough-based Marmalade, the new scheme is in response to customer feedback. The changing nature of young driver attitudes has also played a part.
Smartphone telematics will allow drivers to track their miles, and only pay for the insurance coverage they actually need.
How does Pay As You Go car insurance work?
Marmalade’s Pay As You Go policy is aimed at drivers aged between 17 and 27, driving a car owned by a parent or grandparent. This will allow young drivers to be added as a named driver, but still earn their own No Claims Discount.
Parents and grandparents will be relieved to know that their own No Claims Discount is not placed at risk. This is because the Pay As You Go scheme is independent of any existing insurance policy applied to the vehicle.
A bespoke ‘App and Tag’ system will be used to track exactly when young drivers are behind the wheel. An app installed on the new driver’s smartphone will pair via Bluetooth with the ‘blackbox’ tag in the car.
Driving habits will be recorded, similar to other telematics tracking systems.
Insurance policies begin with a ‘bundle’ of 500 miles included, with prices starting from £195. Drivers can then automatically top-up their policies with 100 to 500 extra miles, with prices adjusted down for safer drivers.
Less miles, less money
Marmalade admits that Pay As You Go will not be suited to all young drivers.
It cannot be used to cover learner drivers, or cars where the inexperienced driver is the actual owner. Cover is capped at vehicles costing less than £30,000, whilst the policy is designed for drivers who will cover less than 3,500 miles each year.
Crispin Moger, CEO at Marmalade, commented that: “It’s been well-documented over the years that annual mileage driven is on the decrease and this paired with a more eco-conscious generation means we are seeing young people drive only when necessary, often refraining from purchasing a vehicle of their own if they don’t have a dedicated use for it.
“Our own insights from customers show 74% have driven less than they would otherwise in 2020 while 47% expect to drive 4,000 miles or less in total across the year.”
A new advert for the electric Ford Mustang Mach-E sees Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ roles.
The short commercial plays homage to one of the iconic scenes from the 1989 movie. It sees the character of Clark Griswold (Chase) going big with his Christmas lights, once again.
Thankfully, Ellen Griswold (D’Angelo) and the Mustang Mach-E are on hand to ensure the experience is fully illuminated.
An electri-vacation for 2020
The original ‘Christmas Vacation’ movie saw the Griswold family driving a 1989 Ford Taurus station wagon. Following the theme of the fictional Family Truckster from ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’, that Taurus was bedecked with woodgrain exterior trim.
With no station wagons in Ford’s North American range, the Mustang Mach-E crossover is closest in spirit to the Taurus. Albeit, without any faux wood on show.
However, Clark Griswold would undoubtedly appreciate the extra performance of the all-electric Mach-E. Even the entry-level version has 266 hp, which should make hauling a huge Christmas tree much easier.
“I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas”
Persuading the two veteran stars to reunite for the Mustang Mach-E promotion was seemingly an easy task.
Chevy Chase commented it is “great to be back for another Christmas with my on-screen family and its rotating assortment of kids – and I have Ford and Mustang Mach-E to thank for paying me to do it”.
D’Angelo added that one of her dearest roles is “playing Ellen Griswold to Chevy’s Clark, my one and only Sparky”. Although she added that “this year the brightest spark is the Mustang Mach-E in the driveway!”
The Mustang Mach-E advert is set to premiere in the USA during a Saturday Night Live Christmas Special on December 22. It can also be viewed on YouTube right now.
New research shows that 44 percent of drivers would get behind the wheel before 11am, despite drinking five large glasses of wine or pints of medium-strong beer the night before.
This comes as millions of people prepare to make a ‘Christmas bubble’ over the festive period.
If you do not live in a Tier 4 area, you may see a maximum of two other households on Christmas Day. You cannot see anyone from a Tier 4 area.
People living in a Tier 4 area cannot meet other people indoors, unless they ordinarily live with them.
The research shows that a fifth (22 percent) of the 2,000 people surveyed by OnePoll would drive before 9am after Christmas drinks the previous evening. Just one in six (17 percent) said they’d drive at noon, the time they are likely to be completely clear of alcohol if they stopped drinking at 1am.
Hunter Abbott, managing director of AlcoSense, the company behind the new research, said: “Even a small amount of alcohol slows reaction time, inhibits judgement and reduces concentration – increasing the likelihood of an accident.
“Whilst not breaking the law, you’re 13 times more likely to have a fatal crash if you’re at (but not over) the English drink-drive limit”.
Sobering up myths
There are strict alcohol limits for drivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with even stricter limits in Scotland:
Micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath: England (35), Scotland (22)
Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood: England (80), Scotland (50)
Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine: England (107), Scotland (67)
Drivers are twice as likely to be breath-tested in December than in any other month. In December 2019, nearly 49,000 motorists were stopped on suspicion of drink-driving. The average for the other 11 months across England and Wales was 23,043.
People should not believe the myths about sobering up. Nearly half (49 percent) of those surveyed believe a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to sober up before driving, followed by a hearty breakfast (40 percent) and a strong black coffee (24 percent).
“It takes about an hour to break down one unit of alcohol, and there’s nothing you can do to speed up the rate it leaves your system,” added Mr Abbott.
Operation Stack has been activated on the coastbound M20 motorway to help avoid gridlock on the Kent road network due to travel restrictions for vehicles leaving the UK.
Many European countries have placed travel bans on arrivals from the UK and France has closed its border.
This has led to subsequent closures of the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
The southbound M20 is being used to stack lorries between junctions 8 for Maidstone East and junction 11 for Westenhanger.
Motorists – including all hauliers – are advised to avoid travelling to Kent ports until further notice.
Those leading to the Port of Dover should use the A2, M2 and A2 again.
Those who are already on the M20 when Operation Stack is put in place will be diverted off at junction 7 via the A249, M2 and A2 towards Dover.
Motorists are advised to check before travelling and carry plenty of water and food in case of delays.
Both Highways England South East and Kent Police regularly update social media feeds during Operation Stack to keep both motorists and hauliers fully informed.
Lewis Hamilton has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 after winning the public vote.
The seven-time F1 World Champion pipped Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson and jockey Hollie Doyle to take the award.
It is the second time Hamilton has won Sports Personality of the Year, with his first success coming in 2014.
The Mercedes-AMG F1 driver has also finished runner-up in the award four times.
“There’s so many great stories out there,” he told the BBC, “so I truly wasn’t expecting it.
“I am so, so, so grateful to the British public.
“This definitely goes a long way to giving me the best Christmas that I can have given the circumstances.”
During 2020, Hamilton matched Michael Schumacher’s record for the most F1 World Championships – and also beat his record for most F1 wins, ending the season with a staggering 95 victories in the sport.
Hamilton won 11 of the 17 F1 races in 2020, despite missing a race due to coronavirus.
The 35-year old’s 2020 World Championship is his fourth consecutive F1 title.
Last week, Hamilton’s boss, Toto Wolff, became a one-third shareholder in the dominant Mercedes-AMG F1 team, alongside Daimler AG and British chemicals giant Ineos.
Hamilton is currently out of contract at the team but talks are expected to begin ahead of the 2021 F1 season commencing in March.
The almost universal acclaim of the Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch has been one of the few high points during 2020.
Now there is extra good news for those who have taken the plunge for the motorsport homologation special.
Toyota has confirmed that UK buyers using the GR Yaris on a track day will NOT have their warranties invalidated.
Beyond standard road use
In truth, it would be rather unfair to sell the GR Yaris with an optional Circuit Pack, then penalise owners for going on track.
Toyota even admits that it knows “customers’ enjoyment of their GR Yaris might not be limited to standard road use”.
Should something on the 261 hp GR Yaris break on a track day, this will not automatically be excluded from warranty cover. Toyota says that manufacturing defects “within the warranty period will be supported as normal”.
Those fitting upgraded aftermarket performance parts do need to take care, however. Should a failure arise from “non-approved performance enhancements or modifications”, this will not be supported by the warranty.
On the right track
Warranty exclusions also apply for issues caused by “neglect, abuse or misuse”. Given the level of adoration given to the new AWD supermini, we imagine new owners will be very respectful.
This all means that GR Yaris owners should feel confident about keeping their five-year / 100,000-mile official warranty intact.
Toyota is not the first manufacturer to let hot hatch drivers hit the circuit and still keep their warranty. Hyundai i30 N models are also still covered for manufacturing defects if used on a track day.
Motorsport’s global governing body, the FIA, has embarked on an ambitious scheme to become carbon neutral during 2021.
It follows the approval of a new environmental strategy, with the organisation wanting to achieve ‘net zero status’ by 2030. Leading the FIA’s Environment and Sustainability Commission is Felipe Calderón, the former President of Mexico.
Changes to Formula 1 will be part of the process, with the current roster of drivers drafted in to help promote the strategy.
Reducing the environmental impact of motorsport
One of the headline-grabbing developments is research on 100% sustainable fuels for F1. Created from refined bio-waste, not intended for human or animal consumption, the first sample barrels have been provided to F1 engine manufacturers.
By proving the samples work, the FIA hopes this will lead to F1 engine suppliers producing their own bio-waste fuels. Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Ferrari, and Renault have all been provided with samples to test.
When new powertrain rules are introduced to F1, the use of sustainable fuel will become mandatory.
Other FIA-sanctioned competitions, like the European Truck Racing Championship, will also be able to use sustainable fuels from 2021.
Next-generation advancements
Central to the carbon neutrality plan will be working with the 243 FIA-member motorsport clubs across the globe. The FIA runs an Environmental Accreditation Programme, allowing clubs to rate their eco credentials for the championships they manage.
Earlier this year, the Formula 1 World Championship gained the maximum three-star environmental accreditation. The electric Formula E series received the same top rating in 2018.
Ross Brawn, Formula 1’s Managing Director of Motorsports, commented: “Formula 1 has long served as a platform for introducing next generation advancements in the automotive world. We are delighted by the momentum on sustainable fuels which perfectly aligns with our plan to be net zero carbon as a sport by 2030.”
To promote the new environmental strategy, the FIA has produced a video featuring current F1 stars.
Hennessey Special Vehicles has revealed more information about the forthcoming Venom F5 hypercar.
A successor to the Venom GT, the new mid-engined F5 is said to deliver ‘peerless performance’, and a driving experience ‘unmatched’ by anything else.
Although only 24 examples will be built, Hennessey states that a right-hand drive layout will be an option for buyers.
Perfect, for UK drivers who need an 1,800 hp American sports car adding to their garage.
More than 300 mph is possible here
At the heart of the mid-engined Venom F5 is a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. A bespoke Hennessey creation branded the ‘Fury’, it is claimed to be the most powerful production engine in the world.
Peak output is an outrageous 1,817 hp, with torque an equally huge 1,193-lb ft.
Sending all of this to the rear wheels is seven-speed paddle shift transmission, with gearing to let the Venom F5 hit a top speed of 311 mph. The 0-62 mph sprint will take just 2.7 seconds.
Such epic performance gives the Venom its name. ‘F5’ is the highest category on the Fujita tornado intensity rating scale, with wind speeds of up to 318 mph.
Added lightness throughout
Unlike the previous Venom GT, which used a modified Lotus Exige chassis, the F5 will be all bespoke construction. This includes a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, with the same lightweight material used for body panels and interior components.
Making use of so much carbon fibre has helped Hennessey keep the weight relatively low.
Tipping the scales at 1,385 kg, the UK-built monocoque chassis contributes just 90 kg to the overall kerb weight.
The result is a ridiculous power-to-weight ratio of almost 1,300 hp per ton.
Engage F5 Mode
Hennessey is keen for the Venom F5 to not simply be a straight line drag racer. The company has worked with John Heinricy, a former Director of GM High Performance Vehicles, and a man who holds several land speed records.
Heinricy has cited the Porsche Cayman GT4 and McLaren 600LT as his automotive benchmarks. His goal for the F5 has been to deliver ‘feedback-rich responses’ along with ‘driving confidence at all speeds’.
Carbon ceramic brakes, forged aluminium wheels, and lightweight suspension dampers all help. As do the vast 345/30-20 rear wheels, which will wear Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres – once suitably tested.
Five driving modes are included, offering options for ‘Drag’ and ‘Wet’ conditions. The top ‘F5’ Mode will unleash maximum power from the engine.
Fighter jet luxury
Unlike the earlier Venom GT, the new F5 packs a more luxurious and technologically advanced interior. The design has been inspired by fighter jets, with the cockpit accessed through butterfly doors.
Raw carbon fibre trim is matched with leather detailing, whilst the steering wheel itself borrows its design from an aeroplane yoke.
A 7-inch digital instrument panel adapts depending on the drive mode selected. Also included is a 9-inch multimedia touchscreen, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Both driver and passenger will get a reminder of where the Venom comes from, with Texas and US flags depicted in the aluminium inserts on the door handles.
Big money, small build numbers
Only 24 examples of the Venom F5 will be built, with all set to be assembled by Hennessey in Texas. The bespoke process of making each F5 means that the company can offer right-hand drive, unlike many other hypercar alternatives.
Buying a Venom F5 will not be cheap, however. Prices begin at $2.1 million (£1.54 million) even before taxes are added.
Despite the fearsome cost, Hennessey already has interest in half of the planned cars to be built.
