Britain has become the first country in Europe to approve a car with self-driving technology for use on motorways nationwide.
Is the future really here then?
Less than a month after residents in Greater Manchester got a taste of futuristic life as they spotted little robots began delivering Co-op shopping around the region, it’s now been confirmed that the Department for Transport (DfT) has this week granted Ford permission to use driver assistance technology in some of its Ford Mustang Mach-E cars on the country’s motorways.
The DfT’s approval of the self-driving technology – which is named BlueCruise – comes after Ford carried out a number of tests on British roads, and on 100,000 miles of European roads in total.
Hands off to be more hands on. #MustangMachE drivers can now activate BlueCruise subscription for hands-free driving on pre-mapped motorways in Great Britain.
According to Ford, the testing process in Britain featured routes with several hazards presented along the way – including worn-out lane markings, poor weather and roadworks – all to see how the technology would react and deal with the situation.
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Now that the groundbreaking BlueCruise technology has been approved, it means that motorists could soon see the self-driving cars travelling on the 2,300 miles (3,700 km) of motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Ford claimed the DfT’s approval is a “watershed moment for drivers”.
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The company said it expects the new technology to be rolled out in other European countries in the coming years, so drivers should keep their eyes peeled.
Britain becomes first country in Europe to approve self-driving car on motorways / Credit: Flickr
Transport minister Jesse Norman says he’s “delighted” that Britain is “once more at the forefront of innovation”, and adds that the latest advanced driver assistance systems “make driving smoother and easier, but they can also make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error”.
But, how exactly does it work then?
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Well, as Ford explains, the technology in the car monitors road markings, speed signs, and traffic conditions to control steering, acceleration, braking, and lane position, and is activated when the car detects that it’s on a motorway and then deactivates when it senses the car has exited.
To make the experience safer, the driver of the car is able to set the speed and the distance they want to travel from the car in front of them.
It’s also pretty crucial to note that, although it’s considered as self-driving technology, the car still requires motorists to pay attention to the road at all times, but the driver is able to take their hands off of the wheel and move their feet away from the pedals.
A 90-day free trial is to be offered for owners of a Ford Mustang Mach-E 2023 model car to subscribe to.
Featured Image – Ford
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The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home
Emily Sergeant
The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.
Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.
The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.
Are you struggling to look after a big Council or housing association home? We can help!
We are offering £2,500 to help people move into a smaller more manageable home, freeing up larger homes for families that need them.
It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.
This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.
Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”
Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2023 
