Trowbridge traffic gyratory roadworks to begin in July
The traffic signals at Tesco on County Way will also be refurbished and integrated into the new system.The first phase, due to begin on 21 July and run until 17 October, will focus on County Way and Brown Street, before further upgrades take place on Castle Street and at County Gate in November and December .Phases 4 and 5 are due to take place next year, covering areas around the under-construction Trowbridge Leisure Centre, Mortimer Street and County Hall.
Work 'carefully planned'
Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, described the works as "essential upgrades", which "will not only support the new leisure centre but also deliver long-term benefits for all road users in Trowbridge"."We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, but we have carefully planned the work in phases to minimise disruption as much as we can."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
19 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Is a Reliant Scimitar a good classic car to buy?
Dear Alex, I'm contemplating buying a manual 1973 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5a with 50,000 miles. What are your views on the Scimitar and is this a good version to buy? – MN Dear MN, The question of whether it's a good car to buy depends on your needs. If you want a scalpel-like driving experience, you might prefer to look elsewhere. But Scimitars are great in many ways – surprisingly useful, on account of how roomy they are, making them an accessible classic car that's good for days out with the whole family. And because there are tried and tested Ford mechanicals under the skin, there isn't much in the way of mechanical complexity, so a well maintained example should be dependable. They are comfortable and make great cruisers, especially with the 'Essex' Ford V6 engine (as used in the SE5a you're looking at). Scimitars had coil-sprung independent rear suspension, too, so they have a more sophisticated feel than, say, a contemporary Capri. Downsides? The Scimitar is often touted as having rust-proof GRP (glass-fibre) bodywork, but in truth it's the steel chassis beneath that's a concern. The example you're describing was made long before all Scimitar chassis were galvanised in 1981, so it's especially prone to rot – you'll need to get underneath for a proper look. Keep in mind that rust can start in areas that are invisible unless the body is removed (such as where the body rests on the frame) and moisture gathers. It's not a great idea to weld the chassis with the body in place, as the GRP presents a fire risk, so any serious rust repairs are better treated as a full body-off chassis restoration – which can get pricey (although small jobs, like the outriggers, might be OK). And while the GRP itself will obviously be rust-free, it can become brittle and crack or, worse still, trapped moisture can cause it to blister. So regardless of those rust-free claims, check the bodywork carefully. Engine-wise, timing gear can wear and exhaust manifolds can crack, though neither is too costly to fix. Run the car up to temperature and check it doesn't overheat, though, to make sure the fan kicks in, because the engine bay is crowded (the spare tyre is in there too) and can get hot. Check the overdrive works if it's a manual, make sure the differential isn't leaking and look for cracked or worn bits of interior trim – replacements can be quite hard to come by. And, of course, you'll have to get used to every mother and her son reminding you that Princess Anne owns one. How much to pay? One of the appeals of the Scimitar is that they are generally less costly to buy than their storied contemporaries. If it's immaculate, it's probably worth £13,000-£15,000; one that requires work will be more like £6,000-£8,000. In short, then, if the one you're looking at is sound, a Scimitar can be a rewarding and surprisingly practical classic – and one that won't cost all that much.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Review: Best new cars of 2025 named by motoring experts
Every year a significant number of new cars hit the market - but which ones truly are the best of the bunch? Every year, the cream of the crop is named by various panels, crowning their favourite for outstanding overall performance. The most recent ceremony has seen automotive publication Auto Express deliver its Car of the Year 2025 gong to an electric car from a Czech brand that was formerly the butt of jokes in Britain. Skoda's Elroq crossover - which starts from £31,510 - has taken this year's crown. It marks the fifth year in a row that an EV has been awarded the top prize. But it isn't just the quirky Elroq that's turned judges' heads this year. As Auto Express editor Paul Barker says, the 'standard of new cars coming to the market continues to rise'. So, here are the cars that have impressed reviewers the most and are highly recommended by the experts... Skoda Elroq voted best new car of 2025 Skoda is a bit of a cult classic brand at this point, winning a legion of fans for its ability to offer quality, reliability and affordability. The Elroq can be praised for embodying all that in a mid-sized electric SUV, with a seriously competitive range of 360 miles and a huge amount of practicality – 470 litres of boot space to be exact – into a price package of just £31,510. Paul Barker summed it up when he said: 'As a mid-size SUV, it hits the sweet spot for many UK buyers, offering space, comfort, usability, and value – while also delivering the electric performance and refinement that drivers increasingly expect. 'It's a car that feels ready for the mainstream, and importantly, it doesn't demand big compromises to go electric. Skoda's clever packaging, mature driving dynamics and understated quality all shine through in the Elroq.' It is the fifth consecutive year that an EV has taken the top honour, with the Citroen e-C3 winning in 2024, the Hyundai Kona EV in 2023, the Nissan Ariya in 2022 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 a year earlier. Responding to the Elroq's victory, Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer said: 'Winning Car of the Year means a lot to all of us at Škoda. I'm grateful for this recognition of the hard work, creativity, and care that goes into building a car we're truly proud of. 'We set out to create a car that people would love to drive on their daily explorations. 'To see it connect with drivers and experts alike is incredibly rewarding.' Skoda's other winners Skoda is on a roll, sweeping the board in all the categories that deliver maximum practicality to drivers. As well as the Elroq being Car of the Year and Mid-Size SUV of the Year, the Octavia took home Family Car of the Year while the Superb won Estate of the Year, and the Kodiaq claimed Large SUV of the Year. The Octavia is a key example of Skoda's reputation for offering sensible, good-value and massively spacious cars. Available as a Hatch or Estate, it's a versatile family car. Not only is there a big range of petrol and diesel engines, but the interior is surprisingly plush and the Estate has a 640-litre boot. And it only costs £28,250. The Superb won Estate Car of the Year, and considering the new version has even better fuel consumption than before as well as an improved ride for a price that massively undercuts rivals, that's not all that surprising. The Superb starts from £37,225 and comes with a PHEV option that gives you 62 miles of EV-only range. And finally, the Kodiaq was crowned Large SUV of the Year, rounding out Skoda's winning night, with its seven-seater option making a go to for large families. Again, it won't break the bank costing £39,000 with loads of standard kit and tech thrown in, and a surprisingly plush interior. Barker praised all Skoda winners but still elevated the Elroq as a step above its siblings saying: 'In a year where Skoda has taken home four major category wins, including with long-standing favourites like the Kodiaq and Superb, the Elroq is a worthy flagship. 'It shows how far the brand – and electric cars more broadly – have come.' Other recommendations - from the luxurious to the affordable BMW stormed home with five wins, making the German marque the other most awarded brand of the year. The iX – the car with very divisive looks but an almost unparalleled combination of EV luxury and practicality – won Large Premium SUV of the Year and Premium Electric Car, while the X3 was awarded Mid-size Premium SUV. With the iX's range of up to 426 miles and maximum luggage capacity of 1,750 litres you'd think it would be a slow sensible car. But no, it can do 0 to 62 in 4.6 seconds. However, it isn't cheap, starting from over £75k and going up sharply to over £114k. The fun 2 Series took Coupe of the Year – a car that's always a hit with keen drivers who like old-school handling and rear-wheel drive. The 530e seek past the post in the Premium Hybrid category, rounding out that grand total of five awards. Today there are four in five models available as battery electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid, and almost two in five completely zero emission. So, it's not surprising that EVs are being recognised as some of the very best options on the market, shown by the number of categories won by zero emissions models. The Kia EV3, the South Korean brand's small electric B-segment SUV, was awarded Small Company Car of the year, while the Tesla Model 3 took home Mid-size Company Car of the Year. Kia's little Picanto won the City car category, bringing the total wins for Kia to two. The EV3's rival, the Volvo EX30, was crowned Small Premium SUV and was the only trophy for the Swedish manufacturer. Audi's new A6 e-tron was an electric car that beat out intense competition from the fellow German rivals BMW i5 and Volkswagen ID.7. Its long-distance driving capabilities – it can do up to 464 miles on a single charge, undeniable good looks, plush interior and refined ride managed to snag it Large Company Car of the Year. Beating all others to the ultimate luxury tag was the Bentley Flying Spur. It topped Range Rover (no easy feat) to be Auto Express' Luxury Car of the Year. Is it the sustainable Nappa leather interiors, the endless customisation options, the Wellness seating specification or the Ultra Performance Hybrid V8 powertrain that's most covetable? We'll let you decide. In pure performance though, the McLaren Artura took home first, winning Performance Car thanks to its V6 twin-turbo hybrid petrol engine, 700PS, and rear spoiler with 50kg of downforce. The Honda Civic Type R is a cheaper and more compact option for performance lovers, but potentially no less fun. It's Hot Hatch of the Year – approved by boy racers the world over no doubt. On the cheaper end the MG3 Hybrid + was awarded Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, the Mazda MX-5 took Convertible of the Year and the newly reincarnated Fiat Grande Panda (available as a hybrid or electric) won Supermini of the year.
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Inside Jack Draper's bromance with fellow Brit Jack Pinnington Jones: Arguments over pick-up times, car DJing, pre-match texts and treatment room debriefs
One Jack dictated the pick-up time, the other decided the pick-me-up tunes. As the more senior of the Surrey teenagers and the only one with a licence, Jack Draper would do the driving to the National Tennis Centre in his second-hand Volkswagen Polo. But while Jack Pinnington Jones was grateful for the lift, he was less pleased with the early morning collection. 'Where he picked me up in Cobham, the traffic is a nightmare with the school run,' recalls 22-year-old Pinnington Jones, who is 15 months younger than Draper. 'So he would say, 'Right I'm going to be there at 6.30am, you're either there or you're not'. I'd be half asleep every time. 'It would only take us 20 minutes to get there because no one else was awake, so we'd be there at 7am. There was no breakfast until 8am, so it would just be us sitting there at the NTC.' Draper, however, remains unapologetic about those early starts. 'It was like, 'Would you rather go 45 minutes earlier or would you rather sit in traffic for two hours?',' says the British No1. 'We always argued about it because he'd be hitting at 11am and I'd be hitting at 9.30am. But he loved coming with me. We'd have a laugh.' For Pinnington Jones, the joy of those journeys came from being in charge of the auxiliary cable connecting his phone to Draper's car audio system. 'Unless he was excited to show me a new song he'd found, I'd get the aux,' says the world No281. 'At the beginning of the week, it would be UK rap. At the end of the week, it would be something more chill. 'It's the same car he has now, this little Polo. He treats it awfully. He's like, 'I don't need a nice car in London, I'm going to ding it anyway'. He has some boxing gloves in the mirror. He loves it.' Now, six years on from carsharing to Roehampton, Draper and Pinnington Jones are sharing the limelight at nearby Wimbledon. The friends have been separated in recent years, with Pinnington Jones moving to the States to attend Texas Christian University. But their bromance has been allowed to blossom again after Pinnington Jones quit college a month ago to return home and turn professional, then was handed a wildcard for Wimbledon. On Tuesday, he made the most of his opportunity at SW19, upsetting world No53 Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets on his Grand Slam debut. And waiting to greet him in the treatment room after his breakthrough victory was Draper, who had also just come through his first-round tie. 'I saw him after the match and he came up and congratulated me,' says Pinnington Jones, who faces Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in the second round on Thursday. 'He also sent me a text just before I went on saying, 'You're ready for this, go and embrace it'. 'It just means a lot that he's there supporting me. He's one of my best friends. Maybe one day I can get up to, maybe not where he is, but where we are playing the same tournaments.' For his part, Draper is of no doubt that his close pal will soon be joining him at the top table of tennis. 'He's immensely talented,' adds the fourth seed, who meets 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic on Thursday. 'I think he is going to be a top 100 player pretty soon. I think the British public have someone else to be really excited about.'
