Pot holes in Rotherham

Councils in England will be given more than £100 million of extra funding to spend on repairing potholes, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced today. The funding is in addition to the £831 million already provided to councils for road maintenance this year and the £3 billion the Government has committed over the next four years.

The severe weather at the end of last year has left many local roads in a poor condition. Every local authority has a responsibility to properly maintain their roads, including planning winter resilience measures, but this exceptional weather has caused significant additional damage.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said:

"Millions of motorists across the country have their daily drives ruined by potholes. And the awful winter weather we had this year is only going to make that problem worse.

"That is why, despite the tough financial position we are in, we are going to give councils over £100m extra to help carry out much needed repairs to England’s roads.

"I am determined to see the winter damage to our roads fixed as quickly as possible and we will be working with councils to make sure that happens.

"This money should make a real difference to the millions of drivers who are fed up with having to continually battle against dangerous potholes, giving them safer and smoother journeys."

To make sure that councils are able to make use of this money as soon as possible, the funds will be distributed to English local authorities based on the amount and condition of roads the authority is responsible for rather than councils needing to apply for the funding.

The extra funding has been made possible because of savings the Department made earlier in the financial year. In order to qualify for this extra funding and to promote greater transparency and accountability, local authorities will need to publish information on their website by 30 September 2011 showing where this money has been spent.

DSA TO STOP PUBLISHING THE THEORY TEST QUESTIONS !!!!!!

DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests Candidates need to understand theory End to memorising answers Unpublished questions used from 1 January 2012 The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today. This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers. The move follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA's decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010, to make sure the test assesses a learner's ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes. Mike Penning said: “The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory. “No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers. “I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.” In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests. Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published. Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision. Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

Last weeks driving test passers.

Well Done Carly, Joanne, Jordon, and Gulshan for passing your driving test with Ashley Knight last week.

Well done Jemma for passing your driving test today with Ashley Knights Driving School in Rotherham

Driving lessons in Rotherham

Its nice to see the drivers of Rotherham getting to grips with the new markings on the old B&Q roundabout in Rotherham.Although I have noticed one of the lane markers are wrong. When you are travelling from the Greasbrough (A6123) after you have passed the first exit (A630N) the middle lane says you can take the 3rd exit (A630S) and the (A629) 4th exit. The right hand lane says you can also take the 3rd exit (A630S) and the (A629) 4th exit. Therefore if you turn right from the middle lane and follow the road ahead from the right lane. Watch out all you learners for that one !!!!!!