A flagship government scheme aimed at easing congestion on major roads has actually resulted in journey times getting longer. 

The £317 million ‘pinch point programme’ was aimed to increase traffic flow at busy junctions, and cut delays caused by queuing traffic. A new report from Highways England suggests the scheme has in fact achieved the opposite. 

What was the pinch point programme?

The initiative launched in 2011 to relieve congestion and improve safety. Junctions were altered, slip roads were widened, traffic lights were added to better control congestion flow and new signage focused the road architecture.

The target was to yield greater control over our road network’s points. Full roll-out was completed in March 2016 and the latest report is based on analysis of the first year’s findings.

What went wrong?

The report has examined what the first-year results were for just under half of the 119 schemes covering motorways and A-roads. Half of those that targeted a reduction in journey times, achieved the opposite. 

Worst affected was the A5/A49 junction in Shropshire, resulting in a £2.5 million economic cost. The M6 in Merseyside and M40 in Oxfordshire were also badly affected. 

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Why was this? Because of the introduction of traffic lights, says the report. Although results for peak travel periods shows an improvement in journey times, people travelling the rest of the time suffer longer journeys.

“While congestion has been reduced at peak times of the day, unfortunately, many schemes have seen increased traffic at off-peak periods, mostly due to traffic lights being introduced,” said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes.

If you’ve ever been on a quiet congestion-free journey over the past couple of years that’s been interrupted by a seemingly pointless red light, hear hear…

The conclusion was that while the peak rush-hour results were good, that’s only a few hours out of every day. There needs to be an overall benefit, which isn’t being felt.

However, adds Highways England, have been successful in improving safety, regardless of the delays.

What can be done?

In terms of freeing things up, small measures could make a big difference, as Lyes explained:

There are some simple steps that can be taken to improve the worst of these new off-peak traffic flow issues, such as changing signals to work part-time instead of full-time.”

Indeed, “traffic signals which respond to traffic flows” is a measure that’s being considered, according to a spokesman for Highways England.

Lights that function during more congested periods, with simple give way rules applying the rest of the time, could ease a great many needless slow-downs.

Anyway, for £317million, we’re hoping it’s not all been a bit pointless. “Very disappointing”, in the words of the RAC, feels like a bit of an understatement.

The European Commission has told BMW, Daimler and VW (including Audi and Porsche) it believes they colluded to delay the launch of emissions-reducing technology on new petrol and diesel cars. 

In its preliminary report, the commission says the actions of the three carmakers “denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars, despite the technology being available to the manufacturers”.

The brands now have the opportunity to respond to the commission’s findings: BMW has already issued a lengthy statement, in which it said: “Lawful coordination of industry positions on regulatory framework should not be equated with unlawful cartel agreements”.

European Commission rules “allow companies to work together to improve the quality of their products,” said competition policy commissioner Margrethe Vestager. “However, EU competition rules do not allow them to collude on exactly the opposite.

“European consumers may have been denied the opportunity to buy cars with the best available technology.”

EU rules breach

BMW, Daimler and VW breached EU competition rules by colluding to “limit the development and roll-out of emission cleaning technology for new diesel and petrol passenger cars”, states the commission. They did this in two ways: 

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems

Reduce diesel car NOx emissions by injecting AdBlue into the exhaust. Between 2006-2014, the three makers coordinated the size of the AdBlue tanks and refill ranges – which limited AdBlue consumption and, as a result, the effectiveness of exhaust gas cleaning.

‘Otto’ particulate filters

Also called gasoline particulate filters, or GPFs, these were coordinated to avoid or delay their rollout between 2009-2014.

The commission has sent its ‘statement of objections’ to the three car groups, and will make a final judgement once all have responded. 

The cartel investigation, it added, is separate to other ongoing investigations into car firms, including those focused on defeat devices to cheat test regulations.

Big fines

If found guilty, BMW, Daimler and VW could face huge fines. If the commission’s judgement is that an infringement has taken place, it can impose a fine of up to 10 percent of a company’s annual worldwide turnover. 

In 2018, BMW’s turnover was 97 billion Euros; Daimler’s was 167 billion Euros, and Volkswagen Group (to which VW, Porsche and Audi belong) turned over 235 billion Euros.

The companies now have the right to examine the documents reviewed by the commission, reply in writing and request an oral hearing.

There is, adds the commission in its preliminary antitrust statement, no deadline for it to complete its investigations. 

Students have enough to worry about, so buying an unreliable car shouldn’t be an option. Thankfully, Warranty Direct has analysed around 50,000 policies to rate vehicles in order of reliability. By overlaying the results with factors relevant to college and university goers, the warranty company has created a list of the most reliable cars for students. Here, we present the top 10, with the results presented in reverse order.

10. Honda Jazz

Warranty Direct looked at three key factors when compiling the list, namely: a keen list price with low running costs, ease of use and an ability to tackle to the long trip back home to the parents. Well, somebody has got to clean the dirty washing. Japanese and Hyundai cars dominate the top 10, occupying 70 percent of the dorms. Most of the cars slot into low insurance groups, with the Honda Jazz the only exception.

The Honda Jazz (2001 – 2008) is more commonly associated with more mature drivers, but it makes the Warranty Direct list by virtue of its legendary reputation for reliability. Prices start from £500, but we’d suggest spending at least £1,000 on a Jazz with service history. They might not be the most exciting cars to drive, but you’ll grow to appreciate the spacious cabin, and because it will break down less frequently than many of its rivals, you’ll have more cash to spend on ‘pound-a-pint’ evenings in the student bar.

9. Ford Ka

Simon Ackers, CEO of Warranty Direct, said: “When new or young drivers are looking to purchase their first vehicle, it’s important they are not swayed only by the latest trends or cheap deals. They should prioritise vehicles based on their overall reliability, to get the best value for money.”

“We hope resources such as the Reliability Index help student motorists get a better indication of the models best suited to their individual needs. However, all drivers should remember any vehicle can land you with a large bill if they are not regularly checked and professionally serviced,” he continued. The second-generation Ford Ka is ninth on the list of best cars for students.

8. Suzuki Alto

Thanks to the cheapest average repair cost in the top 10, the Suzuki Alto was in with a chance of finishing top of the table. But a high proportion of claims for axle and suspension issues (78 percent) saw the Alto fall down faster than a new student on freshers’ week.

The seventh-generation Suzuki Alto arrived in 2009 and was closely related to the Nissan Pixo, albeit with a prettier face. Prices start from around £1,500 for a high-mileage early example, rising to about £6,500 for a late car.

7. Hyundai i20

The majority of the vehicles listed here are city cars, but if you’re after something a little bigger, the Hyundai i20 is worth a look. What it lacks in charm, personality and desirability, it makes up for in refinement, quality and space.

We were surprised to find early examples for as little as £1,000, with initial sales boosted by Hyundai’s active involvement in the scrappage scheme. A couple of grand is a more realistic outlay, but it’s worth noting that the very latest examples will still be covered by Hyundai’s excellent five-year warranty.

6. Citroen C1

While the platform-sharing Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo fail to make the grade, the Citroen C1 secures a place in the top 10. Some models slot into the lowest insurance group, which will help with the annual running costs.

Research conducted by GoCompare found that new drivers are spending around £7,000 just to get on the road, with insurance the second highest expense after the cost of the car itself. Finding a vehicle with a group one insurance rating would reduce the initial cost.

5. Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is another car that capitalised on the scrappage scheme, with demand reportedly exceeding supply by as much as 50 percent. Sales were also helped by the low cost of the base models and a comprehensive warranty package.

It means that there’s a healthy supply of used i10s for sale on Auto Trader, although some of the earliest examples are looking a little like a student after an all-night bender. It will also take more than an Alka-Seltzer and a long lie-in to improve matters. Used Hyundai i10 prices start from £1,000.

4. Honda Jazz

As any student who has spent their study time watching re-runs of Bullseye on Challenge TV will know, you don’t get anything for two in a bed. But the Honda Jazz does appear twice in this gallery. This time it’s the turn of the version built from 2008 to 2015.

It’s worth noting the average repair cost for a Jazz from 2008 onwards is £371.08, with a quarter of claims linked to expensive electrical issues. In truth, this Jazz is more reliable than its predecessor, so the chances of something going wrong are reduced. Prices start from around £2,500.

3. Hyundai Getz

Before Hyundai got all down with the kids with its iThis an iThat naming policy, the Getz was as good as thingz gotz. The i20’s predecessor was lacking in sparkle, but it represented a monumental leap forward from the Pony.

Although the Hyundai Getz sits in third place for reliability, a series of complex issues with its engine and gearboxes results in an average repair of time of over four hours. You had better Getz yourself a decent warranty if you’re splashing out on this tasty South Korean delicacy.

2. Vauxhall Agila

Ask yourself this question: in later years, when you’re talking to your children about your wild and reckless student days, do you seriously want to tell them that you drove a Vauxhall Agila? Well, do you?

In fairness to the dull-as-ditchwater Vauxhall, it has an lower average repair cost than the car at the top of the table and its closely related to the Suzuki Splash. But it’s nowhere near as cool as the car at the top of the class…

1. Toyota iQ

For just £2,500, you could own one of the cleverest small cars of the past decade. This diminutive city car was smarter than a ForTwo and cooler than a Fiat 500, but arguably a little expensive when new. As the smallest four-seater in the UK, it has a genuinely compelling USP.

Warranty Direct said: “The Toyota iQ took the number one spot to be named the most reliable student car with its average time off the road for repairs at only an hour. Repair costs averaged at around £223.94, with the low number of claims concerning mainly issues with engines.”

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The Petersen Automotive Museum is assembling a collection of 40 Hollywood vehicles from cult classic films and video games. “Hollywood Dream Machines will be the biggest exhibit of our 25th anniversary,” said executive director Terry L. Karges.

Opening on 4 May 2019 and in residence until 15 March 2020, Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy – to give the exhibition its full name – will focus on dystopian future films and is produced in collaboration with the Comic-Con Museum. Here are some of the headline acts.

DeLorean DMC-12

As our lead image suggests, the DeLorean DMC-12 made famous by the 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future will be on display, along with vehicles from, amongst others, Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, Transformers and I, Robot.

Back to the Future

“The Back to the Future films are part of Universal Studios’ legacy, and we take enormous pride in preserving its history,” said Larry Kurzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood.

“From the original movie sets on the Universal backlot to the DeLorean that has been on display for guests from around the world to enjoy, the films continue to resonate and we are incredibly pleased to share this iconic hero car with the Petersen Automotive Museum to enable future generations to go back to the future.”

Great Scott!

The iconic time machine will be revealed at an exclusive unveiling event on 20 April 2019, where Back to the Future co-writer and co-creator Bob Gale and Universal Studios Hollywood creative director John Murdy will take part in a panel discussion.

Following the pre-launch event, the DMC-12 will live on the first floor of the museum before moving to the Cars of Film and Television exhibit in the Hollywood Gallery.

One of the preeminent car museums

“The fact that Universal Studios Hollywood would permanently loan the one and only Back to the Future DeLorean to the Petersen only cements our position in automotive and museum cultures,” said Petersen chief marketing officer Adam Langsbard.

“As evidenced by these types of commitments that major partners have placed with us, our rebirth has established us as a world-class museum experience and one of the preeminent automotive museums on the planet.”

The Batmobile

If the DeLorean isn’t your thing, maybe the Batmobile from Batman (1989) will float your bat. Unless you grew up with the original car driven by Adam West, this is probably the car that pops into your head when you think of the Batmobile.

Also known as the ‘Keaton Mobile’ – after the actor who played Batman/Bruce Wayne at the time – the Batmobile was styled to reflect Tim Burton’s art deco vision of Gotham City.

Holy Impala, Batman

It was based on a Chevrolet Impala and powered by a Chevy V8 engine housed in a modified Corvette body. All of the gadgets were entirely functional, although the exhaust afterburner could only run for 15 seconds at a time due to the amount of fuel it consumed.

As for speed, the Batmobile could propel Batman to 60mph in 3.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 330mph. “Even after the drawing was done… we still were not sure how it would go over in the film. It wasn’t until we saw it in rushes that we knew it was right,” said Tim Burton.

Honda NM4 Custom

Moviegoers will remember this as the bike ridden by Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell. It’s based on the Honda NM4, but its design is inspired by Japanese animation.

Major, the cyborg character played by Johansson, rode the bike to the final conflict in the 2017 film.

Pushing design to the limit

Honda supplied the film with some concept artwork of what the motorcycle should look like. The result is a design that has a futuristic look and feel, although Honda also wanted to create a racing bike aesthetic.

For Honda, the movie was a chance to see how far it could push motorcycle design while retaining the core functionality. In total, five bikes were built for the film.

The Batpod

Staying on two wheels for a moment, this is the Batpod from The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. It served as an escape pod from the Tumbler – hence the name – but it also served as an auxiliary vehicle.

The Batpod set for a starring role at the Petersen is one of six built for the film.

Big Hoosiers

The machine was devised by director Christopher Nolan and production designer Nathan Cowley, before being made real by special-effects supervisor Chris Corbould.

Highlights include a pair of 31-inch Hoosier racing tyres, a 750cc Honda engine and fibreglass body panels The cannon barrels and laser targeting unit aren’t options you’ll find in a standard Honda brochure.

Audi R8 from Iron Man

“The Audi R8 is the perfect car for Tony Stark,” said Iron Man’s director Jon Favreau. “It’s a technical masterpiece, it’s fast and safe – and it’s the ultimate eye-catcher.”

“The character and lifestyle of Tony Stark tie in very well with the attributes of the Audi R8. And in any case, Iron Man is one of the world’s best-known, never-ageing superheroes – an opportunity we were determined not to miss,” added Michael Renz, head of central marketing at Audi. Well, quite.

Audi RSQ from I, Robot

For the science fiction film I, Robot, Audi designed and built a car especially for the film. Up until that point, Audi had supplied volume-production models, so this was a break from tradition.

“Audiences generally do not consider a successful product placement as sales promotion. People enjoy the movie world; with it, we can approach customers in a special way and charge the Audi brand emotionally”, said Tim Miksche, the chap in charge of product placement at Audi.

Bumblebee

We’re not entirely sure which Bumblebee will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum, but the character will always be associated with the yellow and black Camaro, even if the current Bumblebee film has returned to the use of the classic Volkswagen Beetle.

Earlier this year, four Bumblebee Transformer Camaros were sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, with all proceeds going to charity.

GM Ultralite

We conclude our Hollywood Dream Machines preview with the GM Ultralite featured in the 1993 film Demolition Man. The carbon-fibre concept featured a three-cylinder engine and could return as much as 100mpg, although the movie car was powered by electricity and badged as a Chevrolet.

Remember, the exhibition opens in May at the Petersen Automotive Museum in California. We’ll return with a gallery of all the exhibits when the display is open to the public.