Fireworks man cleared over M5 crash

A FIREWORKS CONTRACTOR in charge of a display held on the night of a massive motorway crash in which seven people died and 51 were injured has been cleared of breaching health and safety laws. A judge directed a jury at Bristol Crown Court to find Geoffrey Counsell, 51, not guilty of a single charge of failing to ensure the safety of others contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act. The charge alleged that Mr Counsell, of Ashill in Somerset, failed to ensure he operated the firework display so as to ensure, as far as was reasonably practicable, that others who might be affected were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

CAR interviews Porsche design chief Michael Mauer

By Ben Barry Motor Industry 11 June 2014 09:09 CAR magazine caught up with Porsche’s head of design Michael Mauer to talk about Porsche styling. Read on for our full interview – where we discuss keeping the 911 fresh, assimilating SUVs into a sport car line-up and design inspiration in general. ‘I studied transport design in Pforzheim, Germany, and joined Mercedes in 1986.

RAC Foundation – Road charging is inevitable

The RAC Foundation calls for Road Charging. According to RAC Foundation Director Stephen Glaister, a predicted 33% increase in traffic by 2025 and a reduction in road building schemes and cuts in general make a  pay as you go system the answer to congested roads. All of which is fine and dandy – it gives the RAC Foundation something to do and gets them a bit of PR – but it”s hardly joined-up thinking.