Collapsed water pipe closes road in Nottingham city centre
Nottingham City Council said it was awaiting an update from Severn Trent Water on how long repairs would take.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953, excluding Covid
British car and van production in the first half of this year has hit its lowest level since 1953, excluding the industry shutdown during output fell 7.3% in the six months to June while the closure of Vauhall's Luton van plant helped drive van production down 45%, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) over tariffs in the US – the UK industry's second biggest market – meant some firms slowed or stopped production in the first half of this said the US-UK tariff deal which has since come into effect could help confidence, while the government said its electric vehicle (EV) grants would "boost" the industry. The SMMT welcomed the EV grants, but it said the new system lacked clarity and had been introduced without consulting the Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the half year production figures were "depressing" but that he hoped that the first half of this year marked "the nadir" for the UK auto industry.A deal with the US to reduce tariffs from 27.5% to 10% was announced in May came into effect on 30 June, with SMMT recording a small rise in vehicle production in June. However, the SMMT does not expect to return to 2021 production levels of one million vehicles by the end of the Hawes said that the government's target of 1.3 million vehicles per year by 2035 was "quite some ambition from where we are", adding that "we clearly require at least one, if not two, new entrants to come into UK production" to hit the of electrified vehicles rose 1.8% with battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounting for a record of more than two in five of vehicles week the government confirmed it will reintroduce grants of up to £3,750 on some EVs are priced at or below £37, the SMMT welcomed the return of incentives that were abolished in 2022, there is widespread confusion about which vehicles will qualify for the eligibility and level of discount will be determined by the amount of carbon emitted in the production of the vehicle and its battery. They will only be offered to manufacturers that have verified science-based targets with thresholds the government has not yet expected that Chinese and Korean vehicles will not meet the criteria but little else is clear."The difficulty is, we don't know. Nobody knows, but nobody, not even government, really knows yet, which models and which brands will qualify," said Mr Hawes."I think the industry is still trying to get clarity behind its application. Right now your dealer cannot tell you whether the model you are considering is eligible."He said clarity was needed soon as September is the second biggest month for new car registrations.A transport department spokesperson said it expects "dozens of models to be eligible for the electric car grant, which will provide a substantial boost for the industry and save drivers thousands of pounds"."We want the discounts to become available to drivers as soon as possible, and we are engaging extensively with vehicle manufacturers and have published guidance to help them apply as easily as possible," they £650m of grant money will be awarded on a first come first served basis.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
No grants available yet on EVs – but these are the discounts on offer
A week after the government's surprise EV grant went live, there are still no cars listed on the official government website as being available with grant money applied to the list price. The Electric Car Grant was announced on Monday July 14 and went live on Wednesday July 16. Car makers must apply for the grants, which are available on EVs up to the price of £37,000 and where car makers have signed up to low-carbon Science-Based Targets around manufacturing. Grants of between £1,500 and £3,750 will be available for eligible cars. While the announcement of the EV grant has been broadly welcomed by car makers, it took many of them by surprise, with some learning about the government plan via the media. One car company executive, speaking anonymously to The Independent, also confirmed that dealers were reporting customers cancelling orders until it was clear which cars were, and which weren't, eligible for grants. Buyers of Chinese-made EVs were also left to reconsider their purchases with news that the government wasn't expecting those models to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant. Speaking on Radio Four, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said, 'We don't expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for this scheme. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards. And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant." The Department for Transport told The Independent: 'We expect dozens of models will be eligible but manufacturers will need to apply for the grant before we can confirm eligibility. We have held multiple calls with vehicle manufacturers to explain vehicle eligibility and how to apply for the grant. These discussions will continue to ensure manufacturers have all the information they need. 'All eligible models will be published on once the application has been approved. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and as quickly as possible.' Chinese car brands have been quick to react by introducing their own 'EV grants' to stimulate demand among private buyers. Leapmotor was first out of the blocks with its Leap Grant, offering £1,500 off the Leapmotor T03, making it Britain's cheapest car at £14,495, while the Leapmotor C10 family SUV gets a £3,750 discount, taking the price down to £32,750. MG followed with its own EV grant, offering a discount of £1,500 off the MG4 and MGS5 EVs on top of existing offers, while another Chinese brand, GWM, has taken the full £3,750 off its GWM ORA 03 models with its Green Grant, bringing the starting price down to £21,245. It's not just Chinese brands applying discounts, though. Alfa Romeo is offering £1,500 off its Alfa Junior Elettrica range, on top of existing zero per cent finance offers and the promise of a free EV home charger with standard installation.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
A sensible SUV gets a rally-style makeover in the Vauxhall Mokka GSE
Vauxhall's high-performance, all-electric Mokka GSE has got the green light, and it's set to be the fastest battery-electric Vauxhall ever built. The new GSE has been inspired by the Mokka GSE Rally prototype, using much of the tech and styling tweaks previewed by the concept seen earlier this year. The production Mokka GSE packs an impressive 276bhp, promising thrilling performance that Vauxhall says bridges the gap between rallying excitement and everyday usability. With an instant torque delivery of 345Nm, it rockets from standstill to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds, topping out at a lively 124mph. Under the skin, the Mokka GSE features a raft of performance-enhancing technology alongside a 54kWh battery. It uses the same high-voltage components – motor, inverter, battery, and wiring harness – as the rally-spec Mokka GSE Rally. There's a special Torsen multi-plate limited-slip differential designed to keep power delivery sharp and precise. Meanwhile, an upgraded chassis with new axles, double hydraulic shock absorbers, and a rear axle boasting a 189 per cent increase in roll stiffness over the standard Mokka Electric ensures exceptional handling. Stopping power is provided by huge 380mm front brakes sourced from specialists Alcon, gripped by striking yellow four-piston calipers, while aerodynamically optimised 20-inch alloys are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. With a kerb weight comfortably below 1.6 tonnes – remarkably light for a battery-electric vehicle – the Mokka GSE promises not just performance, but also agility and efficiency. There's no word yet on a maximum range for the high-performance Mokka, but the latest models promise 250 miles, so expect the high-performance model to be slightly below that. The Mokka GSE offers three distinct driving modes tailored to the driver's mood and need. 'Sport' mode unlocks its full potential, delivering maximum power and responsiveness. 'Normal' mode provides balanced everyday driving up to 112mph, while 'Eco' trims performance settings to maximise range from the compact 54kWh lithium-ion battery. Visually, the Mokka GSE looks the part. Exclusive design details inspired by its rally sibling ensure it stands out. A purposeful front spoiler, bespoke rear accents, and unique yellow and black GSE badging highlight the car's motorsport DNA. Inside, Vauxhall hasn't held back either. The cabin is crafted around performance-focused details, dominated by sporty Alcantara-clad GSE seats featuring integrated headrests, stylish yellow stitching, and a distinctive white centre stripe. Matching Alcantara inserts on the doors reinforce the sporty theme. Technology hasn't been overlooked, with the driver facing a customisable 10-inch digital information display that includes specialised GSE performance metrics such as acceleration data, G-force monitoring, and battery management insights. The central colour touchscreen echoes these cues, ensuring the driver is fully informed and engaged. Revealing the new Mokka GSE, Vauxhall's managing director Steve Catlin summed it up nicely: "The new Mokka GSE brings motorsport energy to the streets. Using years of pioneering electric motorsport experience, we've poured our best engineering, power, and handling into a car designed for daily thrills." Pricing and first delivery times aren't known yet, but with the level of technology on offer, we'd expect it to be just above the £37,280 of the electric Mokka Ultimate model, probably coming in at just under £40,000 to avoid the luxury car tax. We'd expect this first GSE model to arrive in showrooms towards the end of this year.
