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
News
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2023 
