65 1965 Pontiac Bonneville, Catalina, Grand Prix - Brake Hose Front Set X2 Pair 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.

Fuel Duty frozen and car tax discs scrapped

Fuel Duty frozen and car tax discs scrapped Fuel duty makes up a painful chunk of the price of petrol and diesel, and it was due to be increased again next September. But Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the tax hike will be scrapped – as has been the case every year sicne the Con-Dems came to power – saving motorists an additional 2p on a litre of fuel. It may not be a price cut, but at least it’s not going up.

One Lap of the Web: Aural delights and a Citro

-- Ayrton Senna positively dominated the 1990 Monaco Grand Prix: he came in with the fastest qualifying lap, started on pole, set the fastest lap, led every single one of them, won the thing, beating rival Alain Prost in the process, then went on to win the 1990 World Championship. The above video was what it's like to ride onboard with the brilliant Brazilian in his McLaren-Honda, which screams like a madman down the Monaco tunnel. -- Five Citro