Business Network June 2016

MOTORING FACTFILE

MODEL Bentley Continental GT Speed

PRICE £168,300

ENGINES 5993cc turbocharged W12

PERFORMANCE Max Power: 626bhp Top Speed: 206mph

CO2 EMISSIONS 338g/km

TAX BAND 37%

FUEL CONSUMPTION 19.5mpg (combined)

Hauliers urge decision on Heathrow expansion

The Transport Committee’s call for the Government to stop “putting off the difficult” decision to expand Heathrow Airport, echoes demands made by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) 12 months ago. Chairwoman of the committee,

Labour MP Louise Ellman, recently said: “The Government must make up its mind. The decision on location is not the end of the process, it is the start of one.” The FTA has consistently

maintained the importance of air cargo to the UK economy, and has repeatedly asked Government to act as a matter of urgency. In May 2015, the association

renewed its call on Government to look at increased airport capacity, saying that a decision was needed sooner rather than later. At the same time, FTA Chief

alloy pedals and ‘Speed’ kick-plates on the sills. In the back the height of luxury is achieved with armchair- style and comfort rear seats and plenty of legroom. The driving position is great and

the ‘Naim for Bentley’ audio system - at £6,730 on the options list – gives concert hall sound. Even with all the in-built luxury,

the options list is as long as my arm and it’s easy to run up a massive bill adding just a few bits and bobs. I suspect, however, that the prices won’t put off buyers. It is, after all, a Bentley and quite likely a car that will make buying a replacement something that will just never happen, so what does the price matter? If, like me, you drool at such a

car then your choices are simple - carry on drooling or win a big lottery prize.

Executive David Wells wrote to David Cameron highlighting the essential role of air freight. Ninety-five per cent of air cargo

is carried in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft and air freight accounts for nearly 40% of UK imports and exports by value and employs 39,000 people.

‘Airport expansion and increased air cargo capacity is vital to the UK economy’

Chris Welsh, FTA’s Director of

Global and European Policy, said: “FTA has been asking for a decision on additional airport capacity for a long time now. “This time last year we outlined

the urgent need, but 12 months on no decision has yet been made.

Check your eyesight and reduce your risk

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging drivers of all ages to get regular eye tests. Changes in vision can often be so slow that we are not aware of

them, the organisation warns. GEM Chief Executive David Williams said: “Our eyes are the most important sense we have when it comes to driving. Around 90% of the information we process is visual, so what we see is fundamental to our decision making. “MGEM has long-argued the case for compulsory

regular eyesight testing for drivers of all ages. The present situation relies on individual drivers taking responsibility for their own eye health.” A survey of 3,391 GEM members in March

2016 revealed that 3.6% had not had their eyes tested for more than three years, 2.2% said they had not been tested for more than ten years.

“Airport expansion and

increased air cargo capacity is vital to the UK economy to help ensure that it remains competitive in the global air freight market.” The Davies Commission

suggested in July 2015 that Heathrow was the best option because of the economic benefits for the whole country, including £147bn in economic growth over the next 60 years and the creation of 70,000 new jobs by 2050. On the basis of it being the best

of the three options available – Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted – the Chamber gave tentative support to expansion at Heathrow (see P15) but has urged the Government to use the delay in the decision-making process to give further consideration to utilising available capacity at regional hubs, such as East Midlands Airport.

Stop the crash with autonomous brakes

Four major automotive names joined forces at the London Motor Show to encourage new car buyers to put safety at the top of their wish list. Continental Tyres, Thatcham

Research, Bosch and ZF TRW united under the #stopthecrash banner to encourage motorists to ask two key questions when buying a new car: • Is autonomous emergency braking fitted as standard, and

• What tyres does the manufacturer use?

The companies claim that as most accidents happen at speeds lower than 20mph, automatic braking and good tyres could save lives. Autonomous braking is currently

fitted as standard to just 17% of new cars, they claim.

business network June 2016 53

Artist’s impression showing how Heathrow airport could look with a third runway

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