Highways England has announced it’s changing the way upgrades to major motorways are managed. This in response to the North West of England that’s all but unified against the plight of roadworks and poor highway management and maintenance.

It’s not nationwide, but the North West is primed for a significant upgrade in roadworks management to help reduce the impact on drivers. The project to add extra lanes and better technology to the M6 between Warrington and Wigan, as well as the M56 near Manchester Airport, has been delayed while ongoing upgrades are completed. The former has been staggered, to start between 2020 and 2025 while the latter will come in Spring 2020 after the ongoing M62 upgrade is completed.

Future projects will aim for the following improvements; Fewer overnight diversions, projects to be finished quicker, increased speed limits in temporary limit zones and a consistent three-lane flow to be maintained while work is carried out. Contraflows will be used to keep traffic flow moving both ways while allowing more workspace and a quicker rate of completion on closed lanes.

“We’ve listened to what people have been telling us about roadworks and have decided to reschedule two major schemes, benefitting drivers who use our roads to get to work and businesses who deliver goods across the region,” said Mike Bull, Highways England’s smart motorways programme manager for the North West.

“We’re committed to the upgrades; we are simply changing the timetable for projects on the M56 and M6.

“We’re also reviewing how we carry out major upgrades so that we can minimise disruption as much as possible and maintain connections for drivers using the road network.”

We very much hope that similar mind is paid to the efficiency of works carried out and the effect it has on passing traffic elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Hopefully, all goes well so that we may yet see a more streamlined highway maintenance process and a road network, one day, not partially comprised of speed limits and never-ending roadworks. 

Research into what new cars buyers would go for next, ahead of the 19-registration plate change, has revealed that more drivers would buy alternative fuel cars (AFVs) than diesels.

A total of 18 percent of those surveyed said they would plump for good old-fashioned oil-burners. That compares with an impressive 27 per cent of respondents who said they’d go for alternative fuel vehicles (electric and hybrid).

Does this mean that electric cars are finally finishing off diesels? Not quite… Just five percent of respondents said they’d go for a fully electric car, with 22 percent saying they’d plump for a hybrid.

That’s not to say alternative fuel vehicles aren’t rising in popularity. January 2019 saw a 26.3 percent increase in sales, compared with diesel’s drop of 20.3 percent.

Overall, as things stand, petrol still wins out. A total of 55 percent of respondents said they’d plump for a petrol-powered car over diesel, hybrid or electric cars if they were to go out now looking to buy.

The research comes from GoCompare. Speaking from the perspective of an insurance comparison website, the question of insuring an electric car is an interesting one. Whether insurers are liable to replace leased batteries, wires being trip hazards and whether an insurer covers EVs at all, are all factors to consider.

“As the government continues to place tighter restrictions on petrol and diesel cars and the infrastructure for fuelling stations improves, we’ll start to see many more alternative fuel vehicles on the road,” said Matt Oliver, car insurance expert at GoCompare.

“At the moment, alternative fuel cars are pricier to buy than their petrol or diesel counterparts but, as demand increases, and more cars are made, prices will fall.”

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New research by the University of Texas suggests that the smoke from your burning toast is a lot more toxic than traffic fumes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that air should contain no more than 25 micrograms per cubic metre of fine particulates. When you burn your toast, you’re exposing yourself to as much as 4,000 micrograms per cubic metre… This, according to academic journal Atmosphere.

Golden brown toast, the ideal level of toasting according to experts, still sees particulate levels skyrocket to between 300 and 400 micrograms per cubic metre.

For comparison, recent studies have suggested that there are 250 micrograms per cubic metre of air in London tube stations. That’s 20 times higher than what the WHO would consider acceptable. Atmospheric conditions cultivated during the burning of toast are more like 150 times the WHO limit… On the street, you can expect around 13.7 micrograms per cubic metre.

We’re not about to publish a guide on how to cook your toast – that would be a bit beyond our envelope of expertise. It seems common sense, however, to suggest you might want to open a window while making toast, or cooking in general.

Indeed, there are a number of pollutants that lower air quality indoors. Woodburners and fireplaces are obvious dangers, as are air fresheners, aerosols, gas cookers, spray cleaners. We’ve covered the dangers of candle-burning beyond the obvious fire risk before. All sully the air that we breathe.

It does lend an intriguing perspective on the hotly debated topic of urban pollution and air quality. Is it a bit rich to scrutinise motor manufacturers so meticulously for emissions and urban air quality? Especially when we could be causing much more harm at home or indoors.

Given that, according to researcher Marina Vance, “in most of the developed world, people spend about 90 percent of their time in indoor environments,” it’s worth pondering. Food for thought…

Campers and caravanners, want to escape from it all, but don’t want to give up on luxuries such as light, heat, cookers and gadgets? Then this new concept camper from Nissan is for you – as it uses recycled Leaf EV batteries to offer up to a week’s worth of off-grid electricity.

Called the Nissan X Opus concept camper, it debuts this week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC. Developed in collaboration with folding camper company Opus, the new concept aims to show another smart application for electric car batteries once they’re no longer juicy enough for on-road use.

The concept comprises an Air Opus foldable camper, into which is built a Nissan Energy Roam portable and weatherproof power pack. This uses lithium-ion cells from first-generation Nissan electric vehicles. It can store 700Wh and has a power output of 1kW.

Nissan says that’s enough power to support off-grid living for seven days; it includes both 230v and 12v outputs. It’s located in a compartment at the front of the Air Opus camper, and is removable – so it can be recharged from a standard household socket; this takes just an hour, says Nissan.

There’s a 400W solar panel too, which can fully recharge it in two to four hours. 

The Nissan X Opus concept is packed with tech gadgetry. It includes a microwave, fridge, LED lighting, three-pin plug socket, USB sockets for charging smartphones, 4G mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and even a digital projector with pull-up screen for streaming movies. There’s a two-burner gas hob and a little washbasin, too.

“At the moment,” said Opus MD Jonathan Harrison, “to go off-grid for any lengthy period, you either turn to a fossil fuel generator – which isn’t good for air quality or a peaceful camping ambience – or you compromise on the power you can use with existing battery solutions.

“This new concept, integrating Nissan Energy Roam, is answering real customer needs.”

As for the clever folding camper, Air pole technology turns it from fold-flat into fully-formed in 90 seconds. This reveals a seating and dining area, and sleeping accommodation for up to six people.

The Air Opus camper range starts from £15,995, and are built in the UK. Nissan hasn’t yet revealed a price of the Roam portable power pack but has confirmed it will launch in European markets later in 2019.

More than 700 classic cars have converged on ExceL as the fifth annual London Classic Car Show gets underway. Highlights include a collection of surviving cars from The Italian Job, a celebration of Citroen’s 100th anniversary and a Coys classic car auction.

We were one of the first through the doors, so let us guide you through some of the classics you can expect to see if you head to the show this weekend.

The Italian Job

To mark the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job, the surviving cars have been reunited with actors that appeared in the comedy caper. Sadly, the iconic red, white and blue Minis have not survived, but that doesn’t stop this scene from being one of the best displays at this year’s London Classic Car Show. The Harrington Legionnaire coach and Austin Cooper S are replicas of the original film stars.

The Italian Job

This Aston Martin DB4 Convertible isn’t a replica. Although it appeared to be tipped off the edge of a cliff in the film, it was actually replaced by a Lancia Flaminia for the famous shot. As such, Charlie Crocker’s Aston was spared and survives to this day. Other cars from the film on display in London include a pair of E-Types and reproductions of the Lamborghini Miura and the bullion van.

Citroen BX

It won’t have escaped your notice that Citroen is celebrating a big birthday in 2019. The London Classic Car Show is hosting an impressive display of Citroens old and new, and while the usual suspects are in attendance, it’s good that some of the less fancied models are on display. Back in the day, the BX was a familiar sight on Britain’s roads, but today, the car designed by Marcello Gandini is a rare thing.

Citroen Mehari

The Citroen Mehari dates back to 1968, and although it was based on the Dyane 6, its moulded ABS body delivered a unique look. Amazingly, this fun-loving and practical machine lived on until 1988, by which time it had spawned four-wheel-drive and commercial versions. Note the SM in the background – a demonstration of Citroen’s range and eccentricity in one photo.

Citroen 2CV

The London Classic Car Show is more than just a static event. The Grand Avenue plays host to a series of parades, including 100 years of Bentley and Citroen, 60 years of the Mini and 50 years of the Ford Capri. In 1982, the Citroen 2CV starred in For Your Eyes Only and even appeared in the poster for the Bond film. To mark the occasion, Citroen built 500 special editions, complete with bullet hole transfers.

Reliant Scimitar GT

Arguably less famous than the Grand Touring Estate (GTE), the Reliant Scimitar GT made its debut 55 years ago at the 1964 Earls Court Motor Show. It started life as the Ogle SX250, a car based on the Daimler ‘Dart’ SP250 chassis, before Reliant purchased the rights for the design. Production continued until 1970, by which time Reliant had forged a reputation for building fast and good-looking performance cars.

Toyota 2000GT

Is this the best looking Japanese car ever built? From this angle, we reckon it even manages to out-style the Jaguar E-Type. The Toyota 2000GT was launched in Japan in 1967, with production outsourced to Yamaha. Power was sourced from a 2.0-litre straight-six engine used in the Toyota Crown, helping it to reach a top speed of 136mph. Two prototypes were converted into drop-tops for their appearance in You Only Live Twice.

Jaguar XJ220

From the outset, the Jaguar XJ220 was designed to hit 220mph and was developed with a 6.2-litre V12 engine and four-wheel-drive in mind. But it wasn’t to be. As history recalls, the XJ220 ended up with a V6 engine from the MG Metro 6R4 and rear-wheel drive, and yet it was able to hit 213mph, making it the fastest car in the world. Even today, seeing one in the metal is an event – the XJ220 is loaded with theatrical drama.

Ferrari F40

It needs no introduction, does it? Even if the number plate is a huge giveaway. Much like the Jaguar XJ220, for a generation of car enthusiasts, this was the pin-up star of choice, with photos ripped from magazines and stuck on the front of school exercise books. Built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, the F40 seems to get even better with age.

Ford Mustang Bullitt

Fifty years after the release of the Bullitt film, Ford launched the Mustang Bullitt. Finished in Dark Highland Green, the Mustang pays homage to the Steve McQueen movie, complete with a 10hp uplift in power, a tweaked chassis and an active exhaust system. It’s the closest you’ll get to being a modern-day Frank Bullitt, although London is an awfully long way from San Francisco.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake

The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake entered production in 2018, with a total build run of 99, matching that of the equally stunning Coupe and Volante models. Conceived as a strict two-seater, the Shooting Brake features ‘double-bubble’ surfacing, glass inlays in the roof, a powered tailgate and a tailored luggage set. All too often, the automotive world is guilty of blurring the lines and delivering mixed messages, but this is a quintessential Shooting Brake.

Ferrari Enzo

In 2002, the Ferrari Enzo represented the pinnacle of supercar development, feeling every inch the cliched Formula One car for the road. Thanks to its use of composite materials and advanced aerodynamics, the Enzo could hit a top speed of 350km/h (217mph). Stopping power was provided by carbon-ceramic disc brakes – the first time these had been used on a Ferrari road car.

Babs

In 1926, John Parry-Thomas piloted ‘Babs’ to a land speed record at Pendine Sands when he hit 171.02mph in the 27,059cc car. He returned a year later after Sir Malcolm Campbell had broken the record in ‘Blue Bird’, but was tragically killed when the car skidded and overturned. ‘Babs’ was buried in the sand and remained there until 1969, when an engineer dug it out and spent 16 years restoring it. Today, it lives at Pendine’s Museum of Speed.

Mini 1275 GT

What a peach. Time has been kind to the Mini Clubman, although the nose designed by Roy Haynes was more than a little controversial. The same is true of the decision to replace the 998cc Cooper with the 1275 GT, although the side decals were perfect for the 1970s. The 1275 GT lived on until 1980, but it never truly won the hearts of Mini purists.

Ford RS200

Although the Ford RS200 never fulfilled its potential as a Group B rally car, it’s always a pleasure to see one in the metal. It featured a glass-reinforced plastic body styled by Ghia and a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine developed by Cosworth. Only 158 of the original quota of 200 cars were ever sold, making them an incredibly rare sight.

Jaguar I-Pace

A classic of the future? With a host of new EVs waiting in the wings, 2019 could be the year of the electric car, and the Jaguar I-Pace promises to be one of the most highly sought-after models. We’ve driven it, and our verdict was: “The Jaguar I-Pace instantly feels like the real deal. With stand-out styling, a beautifully finished interior and a thorough engineering package, it’s a very impressive machine.”

Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth

There’s every chance you could drive away from the London Classic Car Show in a classic of your own. This 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is available for £34,995 and is said to be in ‘incredible condition’. Finance is available for an £8,000 deposit and £340 a month over 10 years, making the final total an eye-watering £49,000. You’ve just got to hope the market hasn’t dropped by 2029…

Renault 5 Turbo 2

We’ve tried very hard, but we can’t find anything to dislike about this 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2. In fact, it could be our star of the London Classic Car Show. Quentin Willson will be hosting live seminars throughout the show, so you can ask him where the Turbo 2 ranks on his list of ‘smart buys’.

The Italian Job

It’s an iconic view, but we have to report that neither the Minis or the gold bars are real. If you fancy getting a bloomin’ move on and visiting the London Classic Car Show, it’s on from now until 17 February at ExceL London. Standard adult tickets cost £30 on the day, but concessions and advanced tickets are available.