logo
Plans for new Bridgend skate park to begin this year

Plans for new Bridgend skate park to begin this year

Yahoo9 hours ago
Plans to develop a new skate park in Bridgend county borough have been revealed by designers at Maverick Skateparks.
The plans were published by the specialist skatepark company for the site that will be created at Brackla Ridge Playing Area near Bridgend later this year.
The local council will now work with the UK-based company, which specialises in the design and installation of spray concrete skateparks, over the coming months.
READ MORE: Woman 'fuming' after walking to top of Yr Wyddfa only to see 'p*** take' on summit
READ MORE: Crash shuts multiple lanes of M4 near Bridgend
Artists impressions show how the finished park, based around two miles from Bridgend town centre, could eventually look once completed with features that include a series of ramps, jumps, and rails along with a new seating area.
The site is understood to be replacing an existing skatepark facility that opened in 2000 and closed in 2022 after it reached the end of its economic life.
It will be funded by Bridgend County Borough Council with a value of £250,000. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Speaking at a recent full council meeting the leader of Bridgend Council, Cllr John Spanswick of Brackla West Central, said the work at the site could now begin by the autumn.
He said: 'I'm delighted to see that final plans have been revealed for the replacement skate park facility at Brackla and they will be a high-quality development which will reflect feedback from residents and users.
'This has been developed in partnership with Maverick Skateparks and construction is scheduled to begin in the autumn.
'The artists impressions for the site are hugely impressive and reflect our ambition and commitment towards providing young people with modern leisure facilities.'
Cllr Spanswick also gave updates on the local authority's ongoing refurbishments to children's play areas across the borough which he said was almost half covered.
This scheme will eventually see a total of 98 play areas across Bridgend county refurbished and updated with modern play equipment once completed.
The update also followed the announcement that funding worth more than £400,000 had been secured by Bridgend council to restore an artificial sports pitch at Bryntirion Comprehensive that was described as being at the end of its life.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lenders hold mortgage deals as Bank of England cuts interest rates
Lenders hold mortgage deals as Bank of England cuts interest rates

Yahoo

time21 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Lenders hold mortgage deals as Bank of England cuts interest rates

Lenders have mostly decided to keep rates unchanged as the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates. Still, first-time buyers can get a deal as low as 3.77%, depending on the size of their deposit, with Natwest (NWG.L) keeping its two-year fixed deal. The average rate for a two-year fixed mortgage stands at 4.70% this week, while five-year fixed deals average 4.97%, according to data from Uswitch. The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4%, which should provide some relief to homeowners who could see mortgage payments go down. The primary inflation measure, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 3.6% in the 12 months to June, well above the BoE's 2% target. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans under which renters who have a good track record of monthly payments will be able to use this to prove to lenders how much they can afford to borrow, sometimes without the need for a deposit. Homeowners are set to benefit from simplified mortgage rules, as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirms changes designed to make remortgaging or reducing loan terms easier. The BoE also loosened its lending rules. Until now, just under 10% of new mortgages issued were for valuations exceeding 4.5 times a borrower's income. That is set to rise to 15% across the industry, with some building societies and banks able to offer an even higher number of new mortgages at that level. BoE estimates suggest 36,000 extra mortgages with higher loan-to-income ratios could be handed out each year as a result of the change. Read more: Bank of England cuts interest rate to two-year low According to the latest figures from Rightmove (RMV.L), the average two-year fixed rate at 80% loan-to-value (LTV) has come down from 5.21% to 4.38% over the last year. Over the same period, the average five-year fixed rate at 80% LTV has fallen from 4.91% to 4.52%. The most expensive cities for the first-time buyers were London, St Albans and Cambridge, which have average asking prices of £497,295, £387,882 and £361,709 respectively. Matt Smith, Rightmove's mortgage expert said: 'As expected we now have the third Bank Rate cut of the year, with the Bank continuing along its forecast trajectory. Mortgage lenders have had a bit of room to reduce rates over the last week, owing to the ongoing developments around global tariffs. "However, we expect that lenders will use the headline of today's cut as the catalyst to reduce their rates a little further, though lender competition remains fierce and we don't expect major rate drops. "Lenders have been competing for business in a market which has the largest supply of homes for sale in a decade. A combination of rate cuts and changes to buyer affordability criteria are helping many home-movers to responsibly borrow more towards the home that they want. Read more: First-time buyers on £30k salary now able to apply for mortgage "The market expects there will be one more Bank Rate cut before the end of the year, with an outside chance of two. Any further cuts would likely see this cycle repeat again - with lenders using it as an opportunity to reduce rates a little more. It bodes well for the second half of this year, with further mortgage rate reductions and stable prices likely to encourage more activity." Nationwide (NBS.L), Britain's biggest building society, has also cut the salary requirements for first-time buyers from £35,000 to £30,000, in a move it hopes will enable 10,000 more people to become homeowners. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: "Challenges remain for those looking to move up or onto the property ladder. But with mortgage rates continuing to ease and wages still rising, the picture on affordability is gradually improving. "Combined with the more flexible affordability assessments now in place, the result is a housing market that continues to show resilience, with activity levels holding up well. "We expect house prices to follow a steady path of modest gains through the rest of the year." This week, only HSBC (HSBA.L) cut its mortgage rates, with all other major lenders keeping deals untouched as most had already adjusted to what was a widely expected decision by the BoE to cut interest rates. HSBC mortgage deals HSBC (HSBA.L) has a 3.94% rate for a five-year deal, unchanged from last week. For those with a Premier Standard account with the lender, this rate is 3.91%. Looking at the two-year options, the lowest rate is 3.78% with a £999 fee, a cut from the previous 3.82%. Both cases assume a 60% LTV mortgage, meaning buyers need to have at least 40% for a deposit. HSBC offers 95% LTV deals, meaning you only need to save for a 5% deposit. However, the rates are much higher, with a two-year fix at 4.94% or 4.79% for a five-year fix. This is because their financial situation and deposit size determine the rate someone can get. The larger the deposit, the lower the LTV, allowing buyers to access better deals because lenders consider them less risky. NatWest mortgage deals NatWest's (NWG.L) five-year deal is 3.88% with a £1,495 fee, unchanged from the previous week. Read more: UK house prices rise by over £1,000 in July The cheapest two-year fixed deal is 3.77%, again the same as before. In both cases, you'll need at least a 40% deposit to qualify for the rates. Santander mortgage deals At Santander (BNC.L), a five-year fix comes in at 4.01% for first-time buyers, which is unchanged from the previous week. It has a £999 fee, assuming a 40% deposit. For a two-year deal, customers can secure a 3.84% offer, with the same £999 fee, again the same as before. However, the lender increased rates on some 85%-95% LTV five-year fixed rates by up to 0.12% Barclays mortgage deals Barclays (BARC.L) five-year fix this week stands at 3.99%, same as before. The lowest for two-year mortgage deals used to be 3.76% or 3.75% if you had a Premier exclusive account but that offer now comes in at 3.84% (3.83% for Premier clients). Barclays recently launched a mortgage proposition to help new and existing customers access larger loans when purchasing a home. The initiative, known as Mortgage Boost, enables family members or friends to effectively "boost" the amount that can be borrowed toward a property without needing to lend or gift money directly or provide a larger deposit. Under the scheme, a borrower's eligibility for a mortgage can increase significantly by including a family member or friend on the application. For example, an individual with a £37,500 annual income and a £30,000 deposit might traditionally be able to borrow up to £168,375, enabling them to purchase a home priced at around £198,375. However, with Mortgage Boost, the total borrowing potential can rise substantially if a second person, such as a parent, joins the application. In this case, if the second applicant also earns £37,500 a year, the combined income could push the borrowing limit to £270,000, enabling the buyer to afford a home worth up to £300,000. Nationwide mortgage deals Nationwide's (NBS.L) lowest mortgage rate for first-time buyers is 4.14% for a five-year fix. First-time buyers are looking at 3.94% for a two-year fix, unchanged from before. Both deals require a 40% deposit and come with a £1,499 fee. However, mortgage customers who are on Nationwide's Standard Mortgage Rate (SMR) will see a decrease of 0.25%. The new SMR of 6.74% will come into effect on 1 September 2025. Rates on tracker mortgages held by existing Nationwide customers automatically decrease when Bank Rate is cut, so these will decrease to reflect the Bank Rate change from 1 September 2025. Carlo Pileggi, Nationwide's senior manager of mortgages, said: 'As the country's second largest lender, we always strive to support all parts of the market with competitive rates. This latest round of cuts across our range move even more of our rates below 4% and should put Nationwide front of mind of first-time buyers, those moving on to their next home and those looking for a new mortgage deal.' Eligible first-time buyers can apply for a mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary, down from £55,000. This is expected to support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers each year. Nationwide, which lent to more first-time buyers in 2024 than any other lender, has confirmed it has applied to the Prudential Regulation Authority to increase its high loan-to-income lending capacity. The vast majority of Nationwide's high LTI lending is done through its Helping Hand, which allows eligible first-time buyers to borrow up to six times income. This enables borrowing of up to 33% more than standard lending. Helping Hand has helped around 60,000 first-time buyers since launching in 2021. Read more: How you can still make money from flipping property The lender has also adjusted its mortgage affordability calculation by reducing stress rates by 0.75 and 1.25 percentage points, helping applicants borrow more, whether buying a first home, moving, or remortgaging. Applicants can borrow, on average, £28,000 more; however, in some remortgage cases, customers could borrow up to £42,600 more. Nationwide also reduced its standard stress rate and the rate applied to eligible first-time buyers and home movers fixing their deal for at least five years. Halifax mortgage deals Halifax, the UK's biggest mortgage lender, offers a five-year rate of 3.94% (also 60% LTV), same as before. The lender, owned by Lloyds (LLOY.L), offers a two-year fixed rate deal at 3.79%, with a £999 fee for first-time buyers, again unchanged. It also offers a 10-year deal with a mortgage rate of 4.78%. Halifax has enhanced its five-year fixed mortgage products by increasing borrowing capacity. This improvement allows borrowers to access up to £38,000 more, enabling them to secure larger mortgages based on individual incomes. Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, said: "The flourishing choice of low-deposit mortgages will no doubt be welcomed by borrowers looking to remortgage or are a first-time buyer. "The government has been clear that it wants lenders to do more to boost UK growth, and so a rise in product availability for aspiring homeowners is a healthy step in the right direction." Cheapest mortgage deal on the market NatWest has some of the lowest rates on the market, with a two-year fix coming in at 3.77%. The same lender also takes the crown for a five-year fix with its 3.88% deal. However both require a hefty 40% deposit. The average UK house price was £298,237 in July, according to the latest figures from Halifax, so a 40% deposit equals about £120,000. A growing number of homeowners in the UK are opting for 35-year or longer mortgage terms, with a significant rise in older borrowers stretching their repayment periods well into their 70s. Read more: New renters in London pay record-breaking £2,201 per month Lender April Mortgages offers buyers the chance to borrow up to six times their income on loans fixed for five to 15 years, from a deposit of 5%. Both those buying alone and those buying with others can apply for the mortgage. As part of the independent Dutch asset manager DMFCO, the company offers interest rates starting at 5.20% and an application fee of £195. Skipton Building Society has also said it would allow first-time buyers to borrow up to 5.5 times their income to help more borrowers get on the housing ladder. Leeds Building Society is increasing the maximum amount that first-time buyers can potentially borrow as a multiple of their earnings with the launch of a new mortgage range. Aspiring homeowners with a minimum household income of £40,000 may now be able to borrow up to 5.5 times their earnings. Mortgage holders and borrowers have faced record-high repayments in recent years, as the Bank of England's base rate has been passed on by banks and building societies. According to UK Finance, 1.3 million fixed-mortgage deals are set to end in 2025. Many homeowners will hope the Bank of England acts quickly to cut rates more aggressively. At the same time, savers will likely root for rates to remain at or near their current levels. Read more: How school fees can affect your mortgage borrowing The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70s Pros and cons of lifetime ISAsSign in to access your portfolio

Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs
Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs

While headlines sow doubt about cost, range, and reliability, the real story of EVs is far more optimistic. Industry leaders are calling out the falsehoods and pushing facts to the forefront — because informed consumers are key to a cleaner, electric future. The transition to electric vehicles is underway, but still faces hurdles in terms of price, infrastructure, range and value. But one of the major challenges in the face of EV adoption remains that of public opinion. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The Insurance Savings You Expect Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You 'Media headlines and clickbait have generated considerable consumer confusion across so many areas of driving electric,' says Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, a membership organisation that champions policies to accelerate EV adoption. While there are practical concerns for the industry to overcome, the reality often bears little resemblance to the situation frequently described to consumers. As Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Autotrader points out, "Many still believe EVs are too expensive, unreliable, or hard to charge, but the facts say otherwise. More than a third of used EVs are under £20,000, drivers can save up to £1,500 a year on running costs, and there are over 80,000 public chargers across the UK. With new electric car ranges averaging 290 miles between charges and lifetime emissions a third of petrol cars, there's also a much wider selection of EVs available at more price ranges, which is bringing us closer to making EVs accessible for everyone." Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, puts the number of chargers at 82,000. 'There are 8,000 petrol stations,' she adds for comparison. 'Most people use a blend of charging solutions. Most EV drivers have a home charger, so they will use that and use the public network when they're out and about. There's public works that work alongside the private network and a million home and workplace chargers. That gives us over a million chargers for 1.5 million EVs, so we are not far off parity. The statement 'there aren't any chargers' is just not right.' One of the factors driving that misconception is simply that a lot of work is taking place and changes are happening fast. 'In 2024, the number of chargers grew 42% year-on-year. The situation is really different to people's perception and still changing very quickly,' Read tells us. 'The average person, through no fault of their own, is just not aware how quickly it's growing and how many chargers there are.' Running through the common recurring objections to electric vehicles, they are easy to debunk. People talk about price, but recent research from organisations like Andersen shows EVs can save drivers around 50% less per year in running costs compared to petrol or diesel cars. Range anxiety is a frequently cited concern, but as Sarah Blewett, Head of Research at Carwow points out, 'Range anxiety is largely outdated now - which is a great thing. Most new EVs offer 300 to 400 miles of range - and when you consider the average UK driver only does 20 miles a day, that's more than enough for most journeys.' 32% of Carwow respondents cited range anxiety as a key concern, but modern EVs come with warranties of up to eight years or 100,000 miles. Many manufacturers guarantee repair or replacement if the battery's capacity drops below 70%. Blewett tells us she still gets people asking if EVs are safe in floods or heatwaves, or even if you can get electrocuted by washing one. 'EVs undergo the same strict safety testing as any other car - they're built for real-world conditions,' she counters. 'There is misinformation out there which is perhaps deliberate or has an agenda,' says Read. 'But there's also a lot of information coverage or people's own understanding, which isn't accurate and up to date.' But whether these perceptions are true or not, the impact that they have on consumer decisions is very real. 'Negative stories and scandalous headlines get traction - meaning consumers are confused about whether these cars actually work, and will work for them - even if they are generally supportive of the idea of the transition to electric,' says Edmonds. 'When we talk to EV drivers through our surveys, nearly 70% of them believe that misinformation is a key barrier preventing drivers from choosing electric as their next car purchase. When we talk to drivers who haven't yet decided to make the switch, we spend our time having to bust myths about range, battery life, charge point availability, and safety.' Baker tells us that research conducted by Autotrader showed that mistruths repeated in various media sources were impacting consumer confidence in electric cars, with 72% of consumers aware of the false 'electric cars catch fire' narrative and 44% incorrectly believing it is true - which has made them less likely to go electric. Similarly, 70% had heard that 'EVs are not cheaper to run' with 33% agreeing that they believe this to be true, and that this has also made them less likely to buy an electric car.' 'We see misconceptions like these as a major barrier to adoption. If drivers aren't confident an EV can match the convenience of a petrol or diesel car, they're simply not going to make the switch,' says Blewett. Back in November 2023, Carwow research showed that 21% of buyers were what they call 'passive considerers' - open to an EV, but not for their next car. After the announcement of the Electric Car Grant recently, that figure jumped to a huge 39%. Electric Car Grant Launched As Blewett says, 'It's clear that until we tackle the myths head-on - with facts, not fear - many buyers will remain on the fence.' But to confront those myths head-on, first you need to know where they're coming from. While the fast moving market and technology can account for some outdated information, it doesn't account for all of it. Edmonds points to multiple sources. 'Social media and the press are powerful tools for providing people with information,' she says. 'It is therefore disappointing to see a large amount of inaccurate reporting in the press, failure to check facts or talk to EV drivers or industry experts when researching stories, and the subsequent amplification of negative and inaccurate messages and headlines through social media.' Baker agrees, 'While the exact source of these misconceptions is unclear, it's evident that isolated incidents have often been sensationalised. Both Industry and government recognise that electric vehicles represent the future of transportation. For those who remain uncertain, we encourage independent research using credible, fact-based sources to gain a clearer understanding.' That process of identifying and over-emphasising isolated incidents is one that Blewett points to as well, sometimes with an agenda behind it. 'Unfortunately, we do see media stories stir confusion, often amplified by celebrities, social media or politically motivated commentary,' she says. 'Headlines do appear to exaggerate isolated issues - like long charging queues or cold-weather range drops - without offering full context. It's not that these challenges don't exist - they do - but some reporting skews heavily negative, especially when it comes to the pace of infrastructure rollout or battery concerns.' Read argues that ultimately the priority is not identifying where this misinformation comes from, but in countering it. 'The biggest issue is not deliberate misinformation in all forms, it's the gap ordinary people have through no fault or agenda between what they know and what they don't know,' Read argues. 'We need to close that gap to empower people.' Blewett suggests the best way to do that is to try to amplify the progress that is already happening around electric vehicles. 'Positive developments - like 400-mile ranges, falling costs, or the growth of rapid charging networks - need to be talked about much more,' Blewett tells us. 'That's why we're committed to providing consumers with clear, fact-based information to cut through the noise.' Those efforts are widespread among private businesses, trade organisations and the government. Read tells us that ChargeUK has been working with Autotrader, as well as car industry trade association SMMT to build an industry-wide initiative called 'The Facts'. It is designed to combat misinformation surrounding EVs and is endorsed by the Department for Transport and is championed by the BVRLA, Zapmap and the National Franchised Dealers Association. 'It is the most basic facts boiled down,' Read says. 'The cost of EVs, accurate information about batteries, the number of charge points, and commonly asked questions and concerns people have. That is updated quarterly.' Baker is also proud of what these organisations have achieved. 'Creating a clear source of accurate information, The Facts is a tool to share more balanced and evidence-based information with consumers, the industry and the media to help build consistency and accuracy around electric vehicles,' she says. 'Government action and clear, confident signalling in support of the electric transition is crucial. Following the government's launch of the Electric Car Grant on Monday, 14 July, the electric share of enquiries on new cars priced at £37,000 or less doubled within a single day on Autotrader. For the first time in months, demand outpaced supply. The message is clear: when government leads with clear and supportive measures, consumers respond.' ChargeUK is also meeting with the government and other stakeholders across the EV industry to discuss ways to convey accurate information to customers. 'It's about how you bring together facts in a way that makes a difference to normal people and address that vacuum of information,' Read tells us. But facts alone are not enough to move the needle, as Blewett points out. 'Countering EV misinformation isn't just about shouting facts louder - it's about consistently presenting the truth through credible, trusted sources. That means clear, accessible information from OEMs, retailers, and platforms like Carwow that consumers already turn to for car advice,' says Blewett. 'Education is key and we're fortunate that Mat Watson, Carwow's Chief Content Officer and face of our YouTube channel is so well-recognised by consumers as a trusted voice on cars.' Blewett argues that this work to counter misinformation must also come alongside other motivating factors. 'Incentives also play a crucial role and we're starting to see brands, particularly newer entrants from China, respond to the Electric Car Grant by offering aggressive pricing and added value to nudge consumers toward EVs,' Blewett says. 'In the first seven days following the announcement of the Grant, we've seen a 124% increase in enquiries for EVs priced under £37,000, and a 57% increase in enquiries for those EVs priced above that level. This shows how powerful the right support can be in shifting consumer sentiment.' Edmonds points out that the most effective channels might not be through marketing campaigns, whether they are from trade associations or the government. Even online social media has its limits. 'There are a number of consumer-focused surveys that suggest that people trust the views of friends and family when making decisions for their household more than anything else,' Edmonds tells us. 'That's why the voice of the EV driver is so critical. Giving EV drivers the tools to provide their family, friends and colleagues with as much information about the cars as possible, and amplifying the EV driver's view in the press, are both incredibly important. It's what we at EVA England strive to do, and need to see more of.' Autotrader has also seen that the more old fashioned kind of social media yields results. 'Data shows that the most effective way to combat misinformation is by empowering consumers to share their own experiences with family and friends,' says Baker. 'Word of mouth remains the most trusted form of social proof, and as adoption grows, this will happen organically as owning an electric car becomes normal for many drivers. For women in particular, friends and family are the key influencers in the shift to electric vehicles. In fact, 41% say that recommendations from friends or family are their most reliable source when making a car purchase decision.' Ultimately, Blewett says that ensuring consumers have the right information is a joint responsibility. 'We all have a responsibility - from government to media, manufacturers to marketplaces - to make sure buyers get the right information, because without trust and clarity, myths will continue to win,' she concludes. It is easy to see why people in all corners want to focus on creating channels for reliable and accurate information around EVs. But social media does not appear on its own, and misinformation can not all be put down to outdated information. It is also important to identify who is spreading that misinformation and why. iVendi: misinformation means 8% of finance quotes could be wrong Fleet managers tackle misinformation surrounding EVs: AFP Which EVs provoke the least range anxiety? "Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio

‘I've been surviving on handouts': Chaos as 120,000 UK drivers left stranded by ‘do not drive' cars
‘I've been surviving on handouts': Chaos as 120,000 UK drivers left stranded by ‘do not drive' cars

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

‘I've been surviving on handouts': Chaos as 120,000 UK drivers left stranded by ‘do not drive' cars

Hundreds of thousands of UK drivers have been left stranded without transport as a nationwide recall of several popular car models continues to cause chaos. Around 120,000 vehicle owners have been forced off the roads after car manufacturer Stellantis issued a 'do not drive order' for many of its Citroen and DS models on 20 June. The company says it is recalling the affected vehicles for repair in stages. However, the unprecedented scale of the action has left some garages and dealerships admitting that their repair backlog now extends well into next year. In the mean time, owners of the affected models are unable to drive their vehicles – many without alternative modes of transport. The stop-drive order means they also cannot sell their cars, while ignoring it can lead to legal issues such as a fine, driving ban, or points on licence. Stellantis has now been urged by Which? to take urgent action to fix the faults or offer motorists appropriate compensation. The consumer rights group says too many people have been left stranded without any means of transport, causing major disruption to their lives. One customer, Petra*, describes how she has tried many times to get help from Citroen, an is now nearly £900 out of pocket already due to having to hire a car. Her partner has terminal cancer, so she relies on the vehicle to get him to hospital for essential treatments. 'That's my month's money gone,' she told Which?, 'I have to wait for my next benefit payment now, and have been surviving on many handouts from my family for food.' Stellantis has also confirmed that no compensation is being offered to affected drivers, and that courtesy cars can be requested with priority given to customers with 'the most urgent need.' Under consumer laws, any refund or reimbursement for faulty goods must be sought independently from the retailer where the car was purchased, not the manufacturer. This process is independent of the manufacturer, and if unsuccessful the only recourse to take the complaint to court. Eva, a software engineer from Cardiff, had planned to drive to the Netherlands for a camping trip in mid-August, having booked non-refundable ferry and Eurotunnel shuttle bookings. Her DS3 car no longer being drivable meant Eva was forced to consider alternative options, or risk losing £1,000. She was then given a repair date that clashed with a major surgery she was having in London. Faced with missing her surgery and holiday, Eva decided to buy a new car which set her back £10,000. 'This has been a gigantic headache and Stellantis has been resoundingly unhelpful throughout," she said. All the affected car models are equipped with airbags manufactured by Takata, an automative parts company that went bankrupt in 2017. Its airbags inflators are being recalled globally due to chemicals they contain which can deteriorate over time, meaning the airbag can deploy improperly and cause injury. Vicki is a new mother who has a premature baby that requires frequent visits the hospital. After he was born, she drove the child home before learning that the recall was in place. She has been told the soonest her car can be fixed is October. 'I'm a little lost as to what we can do considering we need a car for trips to the hospital,' she said. Which? has urged Stellantis to confirm formal compensation scheme, improve its helpline performance, and provide clearer instructions to its network of garages. Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said: 'From people left stranded with no means of transport, to those paying out a fortune to hire cars and taxis, the emotional and financial burden of this recall has fallen squarely on those least able to absorb it. 'Stellantis must urgently confirm it will pay compensation for alternative transport as well as offer practical solutions such as offering at-home repairs or towing affected cars to garages. If not, many people will see no alternative but to continue driving cars that are potentially very dangerous. 'The government needs to step in and hold them to account to ensure UK consumers have much greater clarity of what they need to do and what they are entitled to - and are never left in this position again.' A Stellantis spokesperson said: 'The Company's focus remains on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible. Our Citroën network is fully engaged in maximising the number of cars that can be completed every day and, to increase our repair capacity even further and minimise as much as possible the impact on customers, our Peugeot network is now authorised to replace airbags on these cars in addition to at home options. 'For each and every customer, we discuss options to support mobility, recognising that every driver has specific requirements. These options include replacement airbags at a dealership or at home, courtesy car, support for other mobility options and recovery. We give priority to those with the most urgent needs.' A DVSA spokesperson said: 'DVSA is supporting Citroën's decision to issue an immediate 'stop drive' recall of (certain models of) the C3 and DS3 and will assist them where needed. 'We are working with Citroën to make sure that everyone with these vehicles knows that they can't use this model of car until the necessary repair work has been carried out. 'To check if your vehicle is affected, car owners can use the checker on Citroën's website.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store