Podcasts about transport minister

Discussions are ongoing to establish a solution to end legacy flooding on a notorious section of the Ennis to Limerick rail line. It comes as the Government has confirmed that it's reconvened the Ballycar Steering Group. It's understood the Transport Minister, Clare County Council, Iarnród Éireann and the Office of Public Works have met in recent weeks with a view to moving forward with the €16.7m project. Newmarket-On-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin says it's a step in the right direction, but they need to see real progress.

The Transport Minister is being urged to develop a review to maximise the use of Shannon Airport. It follows a Seanad Debate on the Dublin Passenger Cap Bill, which if passed would lift the restriction limiting the airport to 32 million flyers per year. Last year, Dublin Airport accounted for 85% of Irish Passenger Traffic, while Shannon accepted just over 2 million passengers. Senator Aubrey McCarthy has told the Seanad that balance is needed.

The Transport Minister says it's hard to know what a road will cost until construction begins. Chris Bishop has released a new phased timeline for the 17 transport projects on the Government's to do list - putting five on the back burner. The whole 17 roads are expected to come in at roughly $56 billion. Bishop says these projects will be completed in phases, and there's no market capacity to get all of these built at the same time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister John Graham has dismissed concerns that Australia and New South Wales aren't equipped to return to manufacturing, telling Clinton Maynard, they're confident that things will go smoothly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK GOVERNMENT IN TALKS WITH NISSAN OVER SUNDERLANDOnce again the UK Government is in talks with Nissan about helping the company to secure the future of the Sunderland plant. At least they are demanding commitments to future production at the site in return for financial aide. Negotiations are still ongoing. If you wish to read more, click this Yahoo!Finance article link here.STELLANTIS TO BUILD FOR JLR IN THE USStellantis has reached an agreement with JLR to build their vehicles in the US. These will be from the Defender brand. Additionally both companies plan to share technology and car development with each other. To learn more, click this Autocar article link here.JLR EXPLAINS NEXT ‘REIMAGINE' PHASECombined with the Stellantis announcement, JLR also explained the next stage of their Reimagine strategy. They are aiming for £1.7 billion in savings, which they are calling Enterprise Missions, targeting material costs, warranty expenses and fixed costs. For more on this story, click this Autocar Professional article link here.EU NOTICES PHEV TARIFFS LOOPHOLEWhilst the EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese built EVs it seemed to forget they also sell plug-in hybrids. That is set to change as the European Commission intends to slap tariffs on PHEVs akin to the various levels imposed on individual Chinese brands for EVs, albeit at lower levels. Click this electrive article link here, to read more.UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NEW AV CONSULTATIONThe Department for Transport has launched a new consultation about safety principles for automated vehicles. The draft principles in themselves are good and should be implemented. This will mean no AV will be on our roads as none can satisfy them all. Additionally, there were three principles that they chose to exclude, be able to drive without human monitoring, cyber resilience and explainability. These have to be included. Click this link to see the statement from the Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood MP announcing this matter.YET ANOTHER WAYMO RECALL FOR BASIC DRIVING ISSUEWaymo has recalled nearly 4,000 vehicles as it tries to update their software to stop them driving into freeway construction zones. To prevent any further issues until they can find and deploy a solution, freeway driving is being restricted. To read more, click this link from The Register here.If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTNEW NEW CAR NEWS -BMW i3BMW has revealed the details and specifications of the ‘First Edition' and 50 xDrive i3s and they are impressive. Prices start at £53,005, with the ‘First Edition' starting at £57,905. The car has a range of 563 miles, thanks to 108.7kW battery, front and rear electric motors which provide 463bhp, 476lb ft of torques enabling a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds. The design is based on the Neue Klasse design language. Click this Top Gear article link for more.Rolls Royce SpectreRolls Royce has upgraded the Spectre as it comes out in its ‘Series II' form, with an extended range and a cut to charging times. There is also more power, especially if you have a Black Badge edition and activate ‘Spirited' mode. Prices start from £300,000 but in reality, after personalisation, the costs are usually much, much higher. Click this Autocar article link here, for more.Peugeot E-208 GTIPeugeot are brining back the GTI, but this time it is electric. Leaning on their history, there will be plenty of visual reminders of their past glories, whilst underneath much engineering is taking place to move this apart from the standard E-208. Prices start at £34,995 and it will have a maximum range of 217 miles but expect closer to 160-170 in the real world. Click this EV Powered article link here, for more.LUNCHTIME READS: VAMOS A LA PLAYA PARTS 3 & 4Parts 3 and 4 are now out, from Driven To Write, on the theme of beach cars. You will learn about Italian offerings in the first link, which you can get to by clicking here. Then you will find out what Germany used to get their towels to the beach first, by clicking this link here.LIST OF THE WEEK: 1996 - A GOLDEN YEAR FOR NEW SPORTS CARSAntony Ingram once again has produced another cracking list for Hagerty. He selects a few of the more choice sports cars that you could've bought new in 1996. Click this link to view your options and see if you agree with Alan's choice.AND FINALLY: MOTORING ART BY VAL BIROVal Biro was prompted to start writing about his adventures in a 1926 Austin Heavy 12-4 Clifton tourer by those who heard him recount his stories. He did so, as children's books that many of you listeners have probably read when you were younger. But the art work is what we are focusing on as that helped make the words more vivid. Click this Classic & Sports Car article link here, to learn more.

The Minns government have unveiled their final state budget ahead of next year's State Election, which will see transport fares paused and vehicle registration cut for the next 12 months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Junior Transport Minister claims he'll liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland with a view to reducing the speed limit on a dangerous section of a Clare national secondary road. Residents of Darragh recently met with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Independent TD Seán Canney, to highlight their concerns around the speed limit, poor road surface and inadequate signage on their stretch of the N68. Over 1,100 locals signed a petition seeking upgrades at the location. Responding to Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe in the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Minister Canney says the residents have "straight forward requests".

Transport Minister Chris Bishop previously cast doubt on fuel taxes going up next year - but what could the peace deal do for that? The Iran war's effect on oil prices prompted the Government to say taxes weren't going up, but they've since indicated the increase isn't off the table. Chris Bishop says things are moving around, and if this deal holds, changes could be in order. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister is denying weighing up using an emergency fund on public transport. Chris Bishop says a contingency fund in this Budget - is for targeted, timely fuel-crisis support - if needed. Bishop says if the Government wants to do something around public transport, it would look to infrastructure. "I'm not proposing, in fact, I never said we were proposing, it's been wildly misreported that we'd use the emergency fund for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Clare local elected representative is calling on the Transport Minister to make the wearing of hi-vis jackets mandatory for pedestrians and cyclists. Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke is seeking the measure as means of making walking and cycling safer on rural roads in particular. As his motion on the subject was carried at this week's meeting of Clare County Council, the local authority will now write to Minister for Transport requesting that it be enshrined in law. Councillor Burke says he can't understand why everyone who takes to the roads in the evenings doesn't already wear a hi-vis.

From potash and grain to forestry and mining, Saskatchewan helps power Canada's export economy— but getting those products to market efficiently is becoming a growing challenge. As questions mount around trade, tariffs, rail capacity and major infrastructure investment, Canada's Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, is in Saskatchewan to talk about the future of the country's supply chains and export networks.

A law change paving the way for digital driver licenses has passed its third and final reading in Parliament. The law previously only allowed for physical licenses. Associate Transport Minister James Meager says work to introduce digital licenses is now underway - and explained to the Afternoons team how these changes will be implemented. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It will be the single biggest piece of infrastructure that New Zealand will build. Remember when Shane Jones' Northport was going to be the single biggest piece of infrastructure? Well, now that's gone the way of the dodo. So the single biggest piece of infrastructure that New Zealand will build in our lifetimes, will come when the Government makes the decision on what a new Auckland Harbour crossing will look like. The time for discussion and debate is over, there simply isn't that luxury. We've been faffing around another crossing for decades. New Zealand Transport Agency released two June 2025 reports relating to the current bridge's —the only bridge's— state of wear, and the documents show that many areas of the bridge are vulnerable and increasingly fraying under use. The annual maintenance and repair costs now surpass $25 million. And I suppose when you're 67 years old, you're not as strong as you used to be and you need a bit of extra work. You might have seen the images of the bridge wobbling and wavering. As someone who uses the bridge just about every single day and makes at least two crossings, I feel like I'm playing Russian roulette on wheels every time I drive over it. I think, well, here we go. She's been a good life. No one can say I was taken too soon. Hoots away and off we go. And then when you get to the other side, you think, well, we live another day. There are approximately 170–180,000 vehicles crossing that bridge daily, with some days having more than 200,000 crossings. It is considered the busiest section of State Highway in New Zealand, serving as a critical transport connection for more than 64 million vehicles annually. It's not just about Aucklanders; it affects far more New Zealanders than that. But from the day the Harbour Bridge opened in 1959 there have been calls for another alternate crossing. In 1987 and 1988, studies for tunnels and additional bridge structures were conducted. In 2008, Option 2C was developed – a major plan involving two new tunnels. In 2021, I remember that a $785 million walking and cycle bridge was announced, oh, and then cancelled within four months. But the consultants earned themselves a good whack. 2023, the Government revealed five new distinct options including tunnels, light rail, and bridges. And ‘24 to ‘26 continued debate over the bridge versus the tunnel options. And you had Mayor Wayne Brown's Meola Reef Bridge proposal, which seemed absolutely barking to me – none of the benefits of that were explained properly. So now it's been narrowed down to two options, and Transport Minister Chris Bishop is confident he can make it happen. And as he told Heather du Plessis Allan, he is engaging with all the other parties for their support. “I do not want to be the Transport Minister who announces, you know, a big pie in the sky plan and says we're going to do this and we're going to do that and it all turns to custard and it doesn't actually end up happening. I'm going about this in a very deliberate way. We're taking a very evidence-led approach. We've been engaging with the market. We've had a barge in the harbour doing geotech work. We've had extensive studies into it. So I'm just going about this in the right way and it's going to the NZTA board for a decision in terms of a preferred option next month, and then it'll come to Cabinet and we'll be engaging with other parties around it.” Right, so next month, what do you think? What's it going to be? A tunnel or another bridge? It would be great to see other options, like the cycling, like the walking. As a tourist attraction, it'd be fantastic to have the cycling and the walking options. But ultimately, we need to commit. This country, successive governments, and successive generations of voters, has put off doing the hard stuff for far too long. Next month will be about a decade too late, but at least there'll be an option on the table, and we have to act on it, and we have to ensure that there's cross party support. And hopefully, the other parties don't play silly buggers and play hard to get and want all sorts of baubles to get the support, because it is far too important for that. It's time to put on our big girls' and big boys' undies and commit to this sort of infrastructure, the sort of infrastructure we need to future proof New Zealand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heatherton resident Bronwyn and Shadow Transport Minister Matthew Guy joined Jacqui Felgate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's assurance scoping work on a second Auckland Harbour crossing is still under way, with plans expected mid-year. Two Transport Agency reports have detailed defects in the 67 year-old bridge, and warn it's at risk of failure. It says without long-term strengthening work, month-long lane closures, truck limits, and more wind-related restrictions are on the cards. Chris Bishop says he won't be the Transport Minister who produces a pie-in-the sky idea that turns to custard. He says they're taking an evidence led approach, engaging with the market, doing geotechnical assessments and extensive studies. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg joined Dean & Sofie on 4BC Breakfast to address the escalating dispute between rail workers and the state government that has reduced network services to 80% capacity. He firmly denied accusations of a worker lockout, insisting that staff who refuse to complete their full duties are holding commuters to "ransom" and will simply not be paid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says work to modernise aviation rules is already off the ground. Its major sector overhaul is promising to update pilot training and safety rules, cut red tape, and ease drone use on farms. Associate Transport Minister James Meager told Mike Hosking there are 23 projects to get into, with three already started. He says they're taking 20 years' worth of work and fast-tracking it to get it done in two. Meager told Hosking an aviation council paper last year showed training organisations could adapt existing programs to reduce pilot training times, and if they can change the rules to make that happen for every provider, they will. Updating the drone rules will also require more focus, he says, to ensure that people, particularly farmers, don't get strangled in red tape. “With the cost of spraying, plant fertilizer and fuel these days it would be good for them to have dome technology and tools to be able to do that effectively, increase their productivity, and get their stuff out to the rest of the world.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A senior National MP insists the party is focused on governing, despite growing unrest around Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's leadership. Our newsroom understands from three sources that a fortnight ago, Luxon didn't respond to the party's whip Stuart Smith, who tried to raise concerns about his support in caucus. It's understood MPs pushing for change could make a move in the next fortnight, with the Prime Minister likely to be formally presented with concerns. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's no coup, but won't say whether he's aware of other colleagues seeking to replace Luxon. He says many people —including Luxon— want the party to do better. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Vaianu has exposed the fragility of New Zealand's transport links. Transport Minister Chris Bishop spoke to John Campbell.

Air Chathams revealed it's cutting a significant number of North Island flights, including 45 percent of flights between Whakatane and Auckland. Last year, the government anounced it would support "at risk" regional routes through a 30 million dollar loan scheme. Associate Transport Minister James Meager spoke to Lisa Owen.

Eugene Drennan, Deputy Vice President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, outlines issues facing hauliers ahead of a meeting with the Minister for Transport.

The Transport Minister has promised further fuel supports for Clare's agriculture sector. The farming industry is among the most acutely affected by the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, with oil and fertiliser shipments now heavily curtailed. While measures were introduced last month to reduce the price of Petrol and Diesel respectively by 15 and 20 cents per litre, Green Diesel only saw a 5 cent reduction. Speaking at the official opening of the Banner Plaza, Minister Darragh O'Brien insists more help is forthcoming.

The Transport Minister will be visiting Clare today. Darragh O'Brien will arrive in Doora this afternoon to officially open the Banner Plaza. The €20m facility first opened its doors on November 7th after a lengthy planning battle. Clare-based Minister of State Timmy Dooley says the opportunity will be used to lobby for increased roads funding.

The haulage industry is holding off on protest action following talks with the Transport Minister, who has promised “substantial supports” to help with soaring fuel costs. The threat of protest action had loomed, with diesel prices surging past €2 a litre and the haulage sector saying it's in crisis. However, hauliers have stepped back from protest action for now after what's been described as a constructive meeting with Darragh O'Brien. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Ennis-based haulier and Deputy President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Eugene Drennan.

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy about key transport issues from taxi violence to scholar transport safety, passenger rail upgrades, and freight bottlenecks. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio7See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents near Dublin Airport and environmental activists will be speaking in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport later this morning. Up for discussion is the bill that will allow the Transport Minister to abolish the passenger cap. To discuss further Anton was joined by Louise O'Leary, spokesperson for Children's Rights Over Flights.

The Minister for Transport says scrapping the Clean Car Standard's being considered. The standard imposes fees on importers bringing high emitting vehicles into the country. A Transport Ministry-led review recently involved consultations with the vehicle industry, where they were asked for their thoughts on possible abolishment. Chris Bishop says this type of review, by definition, must look at the need for something overall. "It would be fair to say not that many people are keen on scrapping it altogether, we're going through a process with industry right now and we do want to see cleaner cars in New Zealand over time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tánaiste has promised to explore safety upgrades on a notorious section of a Clare national secondary route. Residents of Darragh have been campaigning for a speed limit review and warning signage on a 2km stretch of the N68 between Darragh's North Cross and Bansha Cross. There have been 33 collisions officially recorded on the route, which have led to four fatalities since 2007 alone. Responding to Clare Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan in the Dáil, Tánaiste Simon Harris says he will press the Transport Minister on the matter.

The Tánaiste has promised to explore safety upgrades on a notorious section of a Clare national secondary route. Residents of Darragh have been campaigning for a speed limit review and warning signage on a 2km stretch of the N68 between Darragh's North Cross and Bansha Cross. There have been 33 collisions officially recorded on the route, which have led to four fatalities since 2007 alone. Responding to Clare Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan in the Dáil, Tánaiste Simon Harris says he will press the Transport Minister on the matter.

The Government wants to see regional routes kept, despite Air New Zealand's poor financial showing. Some regional flights could be axed or scaled back in response to the company's $40million half-year loss. Act leader David Seymour has called for the Government to sell its majority shareholding in the airline, which New Zealand First's Winston Peters calls economic lunacy. Associate Transport Minister James Meager told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Air New Zealand should consider efficiencies.He says there are some commercial decisions they could make, and hopes scrapping regional connectivity is not one of them LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's hoping to send economic growth sky-high, announcing a 24/7 alternative runway for commercial airlines. It's approved funding for Ohakea Air Force base, near Palmerston North, to run round-the-clock air traffic control so planes can divert there if needed. Associate Transport Minister James Meager says this opens up an easier option for long-haul flights that may run low on fuel. He told Mike Hosking Qatar Airways downgraded its services to New Zealand last year because of how much fuel its planes had to carry. Meager also says they're hoping regional airlines can refinance their debt and make some upgrades as loans are dished out. Golden Bay Air will receive a government loan of around $1.1 million from a $30 million package. Fund administrator, Kanoa, says it's working to fully allocate the rest of the funds quickly, processing loan applications from other airlines. Meager told Hosking loans will be low-interest and paying them back will be a priority. He says if these airlines can't make it work, they've got to find a way to ensure the country has reliable regional connectivity in the long run. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says rule change proposals hope to return some common sense lost in New Zealand, long ago. The Government's today announced proposals to let under-13s bike on footpaths and allow e-scooters in cycle lanes. Consultation's open for the next month via the Transport Agency. Chris Bishop says it could mean some details may change and he's happy to take feedback on the policies into account. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's modernising the drivers licensing system, with the key change being the end to full license practical tests. After passing the restricted license test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period as a restricted driver before they can apply for a full licence. Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says it'll save time and money. He told Mike Hosking most countries don't make drivers do a second practical test, so they're bringing New Zealand in line with that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 40 slips in the Waioeka Gorge have seen some residents still isolated after the recent heavy flooding. Transport Minister Chris Bishop spoke to Corin Dann.

The Transport Minister says discussions must be had on roads that keep flooding during extreme weather events. Chris Bishop and the Prime Minister have been surveying damage in Te Tairāwhiti, and visiting still isolated communities. Bishop says the focus now is reopening routes. But he says NZTA and contractors need to discuss how to future-proof these crucial routes. "They'll be having a really good look at the Waioeka Gorge and thinking about what we need to do to rebuild - and it'll be the same with State Highway 35." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister has poured cold water on the prospect of a rail link to Shannon Airport being progressed in the lifetime of this government. Responding to a parliamentary question on its exclusion from the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy published in December last year, Darragh O'Brien says the project is "intended to be progressed in the longer term". This is despite the rail link being included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review which was produced in July 2024. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says people are growing impatient.

Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has called for the removal of the Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nipke, accusing him of poor management of the transport sector in Accra and other major cities. The union described the minister as incompetent in addressing the persistent challenges facing the transport sector

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An announcement on the reopening of the Crusheen rail stop is expected this year. At the first Clare County Council meeting of 2026, Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes has called on the Transport Minister to authorise the development of a train station at the site of the now-defunct stop "without any further delay". A socio-economic report commissioned by Killaloe Municipal District in 2024 found that the project would have a 15-year employment income impact of €25.5 million. Councillor Hayes says the case for the reinstatement of the stop has never been stronger.

On fait le point ensemble sur les grosses perturbations causées par la neige et le verglas dans le nord de la France. We are taking a look together at the major disruptions caused by snow and ice in northern France.Face à des conditions météo qui s'annoncent vraiment difficiles, le gouvernement a pris des mesures préventives assez exceptionnelles pour mercredi, surtout pour les transports. Faced with weather conditions that look set to be really difficult, the government has taken quite exceptional preventive measures for Wednesday, especially for transport.Premièrement, sur la route, c'est très, très compliqué. Firstly, on the road, it is very, very complicated.Le ministre des transports le dit clairement : si vous le pouvez, évitez de prendre la voiture en Île-de-France. The Transport Minister says it clearly: if you can, avoid taking the car in the Île-de-France region.La vitesse est abaissée à 70 km/h et pour les poids lourds, c'est simple, la circulation est carrément interdite dans l'ouest et en région parisienne. The speed limit has been lowered to 70 km/h and for heavy goods vehicles, it's simple, traffic is outright prohibited in the west and in the Paris region.Deuxièmement, si vous pensiez prendre l'avion, et bien ça ne va pas être simple non plus. Secondly, if you were thinking of taking a plane, well, it's not going to be easy either.Concrètement, ça veut dire qu'environ 40 % des vols sont annulés à Paris Charles de Gaulle mercredi matin et 25 % à Orly.In practical terms, this means that around 40% of flights are cancelled at Paris Charles de Gaulle on Wednesday morning and 25% at Orly.Enfin, tout cela s'explique par une alerte météo assez étendue : Météo France a placé 38 départements en vigilance orange. Finally, all this is explained by a fairly extensive weather alert: Météo France has placed 38 departments on orange alert.Juste pour rappel, la vigilance orange, c'est le deuxième niveau d'alerte le plus élevé. Just as a reminder, orange alert is the second highest alert level.Donc on vous demande d'être vraiment très prudent. So we ask you to be very careful. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Voici l'essentiel sur la vague de froid qui frappe la France. Here is the essential information on the cold snap hitting France.En gros, on fait face à un épisode de neige et de verglas particulièrement intense et ça s'apprête à paralyser une bonne partie du pays, surtout pour la journée de mercredi. Basically, we are facing a particularly intense episode of snow and ice, and it is about to paralyze a good part of the country, especially for Wednesday.Premièrement, la consommation d'énergie est en train d'exploser. First, energy consumption is skyrocketing.On a dépassé les 90 gigawatts mardi, un niveau qui n'avait pas été atteint depuis près de 7 ans. We exceeded 90 gigawatts on Tuesday, a level that had not been reached in nearly 7 years.Alors ça ne bat pas le record historique, mais ça met quand même le réseau sous une pression énorme. So it doesn't break the all-time record, but it still puts the grid under enormous pressure.Les centrales à gaz, par exemple, tournent à plein régime pour répondre à toute cette demande. Gas power plants, for example, are running at full capacity to meet all this demand.Deuxièmement, et ça va sans doute vous impacter directement : les transports. Secondly, and this will undoubtedly impact you directly: transport.Le ministre des transports a été très clair : il conseille vraiment d'éviter tout déplacement en Île-de-France. The Transport Minister was very clear: he strongly advises avoiding any travel in the Île-de-France region.Les bus et les cars risquent d'être très perturbés et pourraient même être complètement à l'arrêt. Buses and coaches are likely to be very disrupted and could even be completely at a standstill.Les transports scolaires, eux, sont suspendus dans plusieurs zones. School transport, for its part, is suspended in several zones.Attendez-vous aussi à de nombreuses annulations de vols et à des TGV qui rouleront au ralenti. Expect also many flight cancellations and TGV trains running at reduced speeds. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

People often ask whether there are any quick fixes to the climate crisis — easy wins that could cut emissions without waiting decades. This week, The Climate Question does something a little different.Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar stage an imaginary cabinet meeting, with three “ministers” competing to deliver the biggest climate impact in just five years. Climate scientist and YouTuber Adam Levy pitches methane cuts in food and farming. Radhika Khosla, an urban climatologist and adviser to national governments, argues building smarter and reducing air conditioning are the fastest levers. And Jordan steps into the role of Transport Minister to make the case for buses, bikes and less traffic.Together, they explore whether these quick fixes are enough — and why, if they're so effective, they aren't already happening.Guests: Radhika Khosla – Associate Professor, University of Oxford Adam Levy – Climate Scientist and creator of ClimateAdamHosts: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar Production Team: Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, Dafydd Evans, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

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The Minister for Transport claims the Government is "in good shape" regarding the prevention of flooding on a section of the Ennis to Limerick rail line but has given no commitment to funding the project. Responding to a parliamentary question from Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe recently, Darragh O'Brien pledged to engage with the Office of Public Works on reconvening the steering group behind a report on legacy flooding in Ballycar outside Newmarket-on-Fergus. The response also suggested that the project would be included in the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan published last week but this hasn't come to fruition. Speaking at Shannon Airport, Minister O'Brien says funding for projects of this nature will be confirmed in a separate announcement next year.

The Transport Minister has pledged to support Shannon Airport as it strives to expand its offering. The Clare base has celebrated a major milestone with the dual unveiling of Ireland's first airfield-located solar PV farm and an extension to its European Boarding Gates. The projects have come about as a result of a €6.6 million combined investment by the Shannon Airport Group. Speaking at the unveiling, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien says he appreciates the strategic importance of the Clare facility.

The Government is slashing the Clean Vehicle Standard by more than 80 percent, saying it could make buying a car more affordable. Transport Minister, Chris Bishop spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Changes to the Clean Car Standard has been partly caused by supply problems out of Japan. The Government is slashing charges on importers who don't meet carbon targets by almost 80% and launching a full review. It is expected to save about $264 million in costs to consumers and will keep imported cars cheaper. Transport Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking it's been tough getting EVs into the country. He says importers are racking up penalties and don't have the supply to get credits. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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