What we think about our roads. Articles and reviews:

Roads Connect Society

What would happen if all of a sudden every single road that we drive on disappeared? There would be millions of vehicles with nowhere to travel. Chaos would not even be the word to describe what would happen. This is why as a society we value roads so much because without them we would be extremely limited in where we could go.

Think of the congestion that would happen at sea and in the sky if there were no roads. UK flights would be backed up for weeks, if not months. Nobody would want to travel anywhere and we would all be forced to live close to major areas. This would inevitably cause a lot of population congestion because people would want to remain close to family and friends.

A world without roads is like a world without cars, we have to have both because it makes no sense to have one without the other. There would be a major strain on airports and airplanes and only the wealthy would be able to afford a seat on a plane. (more...)

The Long or the Short of it

If you are thinking of travelling across Europe by car, motorbike or caravan, you will need to plot your route accordingly. There are two schools of thought on this one – many people like to get to their destination quickly and without delay, whereas others like to amble along at their own pace even if it takes several days to reach their destinations.

For those who want to get their quickly and efficiently, there are many good toll roads and motorways across the whole of Europe. The plus side – naturally it is the fastest way to reach almost anywhere in the shortest of time. They are usually several lanes wide and the speed limit is always faster on the motorways.

The down side though is that they are often expensive – you can rack up over €100 just to get from the North to the South of France. You also miss any interesting attractions or towns en route if you stay on the motorway. And of course you often have to eat in over-priced and usually grim motorway cafes. (more...)

Highways and Byways

As you are wandering along the highways and byways of our lovely country, you will come across many insects and small animals which might on first sight be a little scary, especially if you have not seen them before. But before you go calling Pest Control Uxbridge Middlesex try to take a moment to see them as they really are.

The United Kingdom is home to millions of species, many unique, so see how many you spot as you are rambling through the lanes of England, Scotland and Wales.

In the insect world you might see dragonflies and damselflies, may flies or butterflies fluttering overhead or in the hedges. If you look closer (or listen closer!) then maybe you will find grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, ants or beetles. Each has its own unique life-cycle and each has its own job to do in the world of Mother Nature. (more...)

Top Reasons to Purchase a New Ford Focus

Whether you have just passed your test or it is time to trade in your old car for a new one, there are great reasons to purchase a new Ford Focus The Ford brand has always been associated with reliability for starters. Indeed, I had a Ford car which lasted me for nearly 12 years with very little needing done to it during that time.

Another top reason to buy the stunning new Ford Focus is that it is very spacious. The new model has more boot and cabin space than previous models making it easy for driver and passenger to get in and out. You can also comfortably sit in either the front or back as there is ample leg room.

Of course, the cost of running any car is a major factor of purchase. The new Ford Focus is a reasonably priced car, is relatively cheap to insure and run. As with any other model of car, a new Ford Focus will benefit from regular servicing to make sure it is in top condition for handling all of the roads it will travel on. (more...)

Freedom on the Road

One of the best parts of any holiday, as far as I am concerned, is the freedom to explore the roads of the city or country, to really see what the hidden parts are like which are not covered by the tour buses.

Whether I am taking advantage of French, Italian or Cyprus Car Hire, I like the flexibility to get out there on my own and take the less travelled roads that most tourists never see. You often get lost, especially if you don't speak the language, but hey, that is part of the fun. You are on holiday and have time to spare and explore the roads at your leisure.

It is amazing what sites are to be seen away from the usual tourist traps, and the local people are often friendlier if you make the effort to get out and around the country rather than crowding out of a packed tour bus flashing a camera. (more...)

Be Prepared

Whether you are stepping out to your local shops or driving on your annual holiday it always pays to be prepared. Many people assume that they are not going to break down – and to their utter dismay they end up trying to find a car battery when theirs goes flat or mending a wheel without proper equipment on the motorway.

A little preparation goes a long way. Firstly, it really is recommended that you take out a membership for one of the road assistance companies as this is bound to save you money in the long run. Be prepared to shop around to get the best deal and compare price – and terms and conditions – across the board.

Secondly, make sure that your car is in road-worthy condition and never neglect to book it in for its annual service. Prevention is better than cure. (more...)

Hit the Road Jack

It is always a matter of choice whether to take the motorways and the larger roads when making a journey, or stick to the smaller roads which some people feel are more full of character.

If you are on holiday and have just set off from your Lunar caravan dealer, then you will probably be in no hurry to take the motorways. After all, the purpose of a holiday is to relax and take your time and part of this experience is travelling to your destination.

If you are going long distance then yes, you might take the motorway so as not to lose time at your precious destination; but if not then try to take a few days and make a holiday of your journey itself. (more...)

Getting to Luxury London Hotels

Taking a break in London is a great way to spend a long weekend. London is a place that is filled with interesting things to see and do and there really is something for everyone in the city.

When it comes to getting to Luxury London Hotels you need to know a little bit about cars, roads and other forms of transport as getting around by car in London can be tricky. So before you set off make sure that you know the type of transport you will be using and the route to get there.

People who plan on making their journey by car need to make sure that they can park their car somewhere safe for the duration of their stay. Parking in London is notoriously expensive and finding somewhere safe and secure or to park your car could be harder than you think. (more...)

The Future of Our Congested Motorways

Increasing traffic congestion on roads is a sign of the fact that there are too many cars on our roads, and not enough road space to accommodate them. As traffic experts rack their brains to solve the problem, more cars hit the roads every day. What is the future of our car congested roads?

This is the time when we as a civilisation need to invest in alternative technologies and develop transport that is not dependent on oil. As individuals, we might do well by opting to use public transport whenever possible. click here to see other helpful choices we can make.

A bus accommodates more people and takes up less space on the road compared to the person to road space ratio of a car. Many cars on the road have a single occupant, making the ratio even more skewed. (more...)

Why the Roads of London were a Gift from Rome

For over three centuries (from 43 AD to 410 AD), London was a protectorate of Rome. In fact, London became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in 100 AD. As the Empire was wont to do, Rome invested untold sums to build the new city.

Since transportation was the defining feature of any modern city at the time, the Romans built a vast network of roads that connected London with every other town, city, and port in the province. There were two obvious explanations for this. First, it guaranteed that the city would become a centre of trade. And second, it allowed the Romans to move troops and supplies wherever needed.

After all was said and done, the Romans built over two thousand miles of roads leading to and from London. These were modern, paved thoroughfares that could support heavy wagons and which lead to the creation of countless cities and towns. click here to find out more about Roman roads. (more...)

New Cars Lose their Value

There are many different types of cars available, suited to all sorts of different situations. Whether it be city driving on packed roads, motorway driving for a job or even four wheel drives for off road fun, there is something for everyone.

Purchasing a new car can be quite a commitment, especially in these uncertain financial times, and so more and more people are turning to buying used cars. There are many Quality Used Cars available, and these offer great value for money.

Whenever a new car is purchased, it loses value as soon as it leaves the showroom and the wheels touch the road. Second hand cars, on the other hand, retain their value. This makes them an ideal purchase, as they can always be sold at a reasonable price if circumstances change, and finances become tight. (more...)

More Competent Professional Drivers from 2008

Over the last few years, Britain's bus, coach and lorry drivers have had to go back to school. The year 2008 saw the implementation of stringent EU regulations which render the simple vocational driver's licence insufficient. In the interest of safety, drivers in the fields of public transport and logistics are now required to undergo additional training and assessment in order to qualify with a Certificate of Professional Competence or CPC.

This legislation affected all of Britain's existing bus, coach and lorry drivers, as well as those coming into the profession so that today, every working holder of a vocational driver's license is also in possession of a Driver CPC.

In order to deal with these new requirements, institutions offering driver CPC training courses have sprung up country wide. The CPC is a demanding qualification, involving 35 hours of periodic training on the roads and an examination. Training courses are structured to ensure candidates expand and confirm their skills, and that they pass all required tests. (more...)

Used Cars:

If you are in the market for a second hand car this year, then you can find fantastic value by going online rather than to dealerships. Head to Motors.co.uk today and you will find that you can save money and get a great car at the same time.

Static caravans: a viable option?

According to the AA, around 18 million motorists took to the roads over the long Easter weekend. It was predicted as the busiest Easter for years as the extra holiday meant two four day weeks ran back to back. The hot weather also helped cause this spike in road traffic.

Most of it was holiday traffic as people packed up cars and caravans and headed for the coast of the countryside. Around two million people flew overseas, but the majority choose to holiday to home.

If you were one of the millions fighting your way through traffic jams in sweltering weather towing a caravan, you may be telling yourself ‘never again’. Trying to lug a caravan around for several hundred miles along crowded motorways, congested stop-start A roads and winding, narrow country lanes with a racer riding your tail is not exactly most people’s idea of a pleasant journey. But there is an alternative that doesn’t involve an exodus overseas. (more...)

Car Hire in Other Countries

When you hire a car in another country, you really need to have a regard to the overall infrastructure of their road network. Bear in mind that the state of roads abroad is rarely as good as those found in the UK, and we have to face facts here, roads in this country can be pretty bad as it is.

This is important as there are times when you enter a contract for car hire that means that you will be completely eligible for the costs of any problems that arise as a result of damage to the vehicle. No-one is saying that you should refrain from hiring a vehicle in other countries, however, there are some things you can do to ensure you are not stung with a huge repair bill when you return the vehicle.

Firstly, you should always have a thorough inspection of the vehicle at the time you pick it up. Go around the entire vehicle with the person who works for the company and have them make a note of every scratch and dent that may be evident. (more...)





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Contact

Roads Connect Society

The Long or the Short of it

Highways and Byways

Top Reasons to Purchase a New Ford Focus

Freedom on the Road

Be Prepared

Hit the Road Jack

Getting to Luxury London Hotels

The Future of Our Congested Motorways

Why the Roads of London were a Gift from Rome

New Cars Lose their Value

More Competent Professional Drivers from 2008

Used Cars:

Static caravans: a viable option?

Car Hire in Other Countries


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