June 15th, 2009
A pickup truck, a sled, ten inches of snow, and the chance to give a six-year-old a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What does that add up to? For Simon Lewington it could have added up to a jail sentence, but instead, he’ll lose his license for a year and have to do 180 hours of community service. Why? After a major snowfall – and pestering from his son – the father from Leicestershire hitched a sled to the back of his truck, put his son on it, and took the boy for a ride through city streets during rush hour.
Lewington pulled his son along for nearly a mile, passing a police station on his route, and he was even photographed in the act. Even though his son was wearing a helmet and goggles and Lewington reportedly never drove above 8 mph, the courts didn’t look upon the stunt as child’s play.
Source:-Daily Mail – Published by Arbil4×4 – Industry leaders in providing high quality 4×4 parts and accessories
Posted in Arbil 4x4 |
June 1st, 2009
Figures released today show that the Government’s scrappage scheme has proved popular with consumers as manufacturers reported brisk sales, with more than 35,000 orders since the announcement of the £2000 scrappage subsidy. This equates to one scrappage scheme order out of every five new car orders in this period.
Gordon Brown welcomed three new car buyers that had benefited from the scheme at Downing Street this morning. The Prime Minister said:
“I am determined to do everything I can to see Britain through the downturn quickly and build a stronger Britain for the future. That is why I am delighted that over 35,000 people have already taken up the Government’s offer of help to buy a new car when they scrap their old one. This scheme not only helps hard-pressed consumers, it also helps protect British jobs by stimulating demand for new cars.”
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
“The scrappage scheme has got off to a flying start. It has given car sales a major boost and offers consumers a great deal.
“Even after two weeks the sales figures are impressive. As it operates on a first come, first served, basis and cannot last forever, consumers should get in sooner rather than later for these great deals.”
The UK scheme, with £300m from Government and matched funding from manufacturers, is intended to provide immediate support on a short-term basis to boost the car industry and its supply chain in the wake of falling sales. It will also get older vehicles off the road and encourage consumers to invest in new, safer, and potentially more environmentally friendly models.
Source:- Department for Business
Published by Arbil4×4 – Industry leaders in providing high quality 4×4 parts and accessories
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March 11th, 2009
Infrastructure Planning Commission-Chair Prospect Announced
The Housing Minister, Margaret Beckett has unveiled plans indicating the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will get its new home in Bristol and the person likely to be chairing the whole project is likely to be Sir Micheal Pitt, currently the chairman of the National Health Service for the South West.
If Pitt is successful in his appointment he will be the first chairman of the newly created Infrastructure Planning Commission which has been created to compliment the 2008 Planning Act. Pitt’s position is expected to play a significant part in the decision making process for major infrastructure projects such as the development of new airports and of course the extremely influential high speed rail systems that will be developed throughout the United Kingdom.
The Infrastructure Planning Commission will play a significant role in representing a faster and hopefully fairer decision making process for these major projects. The relative importance of the IPC will be is its ability to work at a distance from the government and by taking its policy framework and guidelines from the recent 2008 Planning Act.
The final decision on the appointment of Michael Pitt is subject to the approval by the Communities and Local Government Select Committee who are due to convene shortly to make their final decision on the role.
Published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders in the hire and sales of quality rail equipment
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February 11th, 2009
Government and European Union Deliver Funds
Ambitious improvements have now been given the green light at Rotherham railway station following the agreement of a £7.6m financial package from the Government and European Union. The finance can now be administered in delivering the huge revamp for the tired 1980’s buildings and exterior facilities including roads and platforms.
Managing the development, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive can now transform the railway station up to the standards of neighbouring stations such as Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield.
As part of the development Rotherham railway station will also include a new railway station building, ticket office, passenger lounge for commuters, a shop, toilet facilities, improved security systems with CCTV, and new passenger information facilities.
The funding will also be put to good use on the exterior of the station which is set to get an upgraded station approach road with disabled parking improvements along with more secure and effective facilities for local cyclists.
The railway platforms themselves are likely to be upgraded with better coverage facilities and accessibility ramps for disabled travellers. The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive are now hoping the upgraded railway station will not only set new standards for station improvements but continue deliver a first class rail experience for its commuters and visitors.
Published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders for the hire and sales of quality rail equipment, parts and rail services
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February 10th, 2009
Safety Has to be Addressed in the Rail Industry
Following the release of horrifying footage of a near miss at a Welsh rail crossing Network Rail and other safety campaigners have called for more attention to be given to the issue of safety at rail crossings across the UK, in particular in the rural sectors where track security is more easy to abuse and ignore.
The CCTV security footage released to the media yesterday was filmed at Llangadog railway station in Wales and highlights the moment when a family car jumps the crossing and drive across the rail track at the very moment a passenger train passes through. The train only misses the motor vehicle by inches as it swerves in front of the train. Whe looking at the footage it is difficult to comprehend how the train actually misses the vehicle at all.
More horrifying is the fact the man driving the motor car also had his wife and young child in the car with him, the consequences of which are difficult to imagine. Fortunately in this instance everyone, including all the passengers on the train at the time of the incident escaped without injury or indeed any idea what had happened.
Network Rail and the rail industry in general are deeply concerned that health and safety and overall public perception to the dangers involved in the rail industry are being abused on such a scale despite years of publicity and education to the dangers involved. Figures revealed show there is now a 5 year high for incidents that have been reported on the UK’s rail crossings with over three thousand incidents reported in the previous twelve months alone. The shocking figures highlight that in 2008 fifteen people were actually killed and twenty vehicles were involved in crashes with trains at UK level crossings. Everyone involved are now reviewing what can be done to improve this alarming situation.
Published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders in the hire and sales of quality rail equipment and parts for the rail industry
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