Your UK motoring briefing and learner driving news, checked against original sources.
Redditch studio · UK date ·
Four stories from around the UK
From 21 October 2026, qualifying cross-pavement EV chargers in England no longer need planning permission. The cable runs through a purpose-built channel under the pavement so households without a driveway can use home electricity. Check your council’s installation process and obtain any required highway or landowner approval before arranging work.
Read the Department for Transport announcement ↗DfT’s guidance published on 23 October explains existing lighting duties rather than introducing a new rule. Dip full beam before passing other road users, check automatic lights have dipped, and keep lamp lenses clean. If dazzled, avoid staring at the headlights, reduce speed and be ready to stop safely. Check beam levelling when carrying a heavy load.
Read the DfT headlight guidance ↗National Highways announced on 23 October that the A417 between Shab Hill junction and A429 Burford Road is planned to close both ways from 11pm Friday 30 October to 6am Monday 2 November for Cowley junction work. A further closure between A46 Brockworth junction and Shab Hill is planned from 11pm Friday 6 November to 6am Monday 9 November. Follow signed diversions rather than satnav, allow extra time and check official updates before travelling.
Check National Highways dates and diversions ↗National Highways has moved the 23–26 October closure because of forecast high winds. The replacement closure is planned from 9pm Friday 30 October to 5am Monday 2 November: junctions 6–9 northbound and 9–7 southbound, with the M6 junction 4a southbound links to the M42 and specified M6 Toll links also affected. Follow signed diversions and allow extra time. The contingency weekend is 6–9 November if needed. Check official updates before travelling; the source gives no publication date for this revision.
Check the National Highways closure update ↗Stories are checked against the linked source. Publication dates are shown on each card; check the original page for later changes.
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