Sydenham Bypass: Belfast roadworks completed
In a post on social media, the Department for Infrastructure announced that the £3.8m resurfacing work had been completed.It stated: "Thank you for your patience as we carried out this improvement work which has significantly enhanced one of our busiest and most strategic routes."
The department said that than 13,000 tonnes of bituminous material was used to provide a smoother surface.Work began in October but was paused over the Christmas period.
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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The European airport at risk of closure as Ryanair to scrap all flights
They've also cancelled a route to the Christmas capital of Europe GROUNDED The European airport at risk of closure as Ryanair to scrap all flights Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN airport has said it could be forced to close for good if Ryanair cancels all flight routes. From October this year, Ryanair will no longer fly from Bergerac and bosses worry the airport could close as a result. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 There are fears Bergerac Airport could close as Ryanair cancels its winter routes Credit: Alamy 4 Ryanair has cancelled three routes which equates to 750,000 seats Credit: Alamy On July 30, 2025, Ryanair announced it will be stopping flights to Bergerac, Brive and Strasbourg. In figures, this is the elimination of 750,000 seats and the cancellation of 25 routes this winter. Ryanair said in a statement that the decision to stop routes to these cities is because of the French government's decision to increase air tax by 180 per cent. The airline added: "In response to this government tax, Ryanair will cease operations to Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg, and reduce capacity at several other French airports." Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness added: "This completely avoidable loss will have a severe impact on regional connectivity, tourism, and local employment." That could be the case as Christophe Fauvel, president of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce (CCI) fears Ryanair pulling out could lead Bergerac Airport to close for good. Talking to French media, Christophe said: "It is what happens next that worries us. "If Ryanair decides to follow through on its threat and leaves Bergerac for good the airport may face closure". Bergerac Airport says that as a result of Ryanair's decision to end its winter service it estimates a loss of 18,000 passengers. And it believes it will see a sevent per cent loss of its annual passenger numbers. Forget glitzy Cannes and San Tropez, this hidden coastal gem is the real French star 4 Strasbourg is famous for having huge Christmas markets Credit: Alamy The routes to Bergerac in the Dordogne, Brive and Strasbourg will end in late October 2025. Bergerac is a commune in the Dordogne, known for its old town and in the winter is fairly mild with temperatures of around 10C. Brive is considered a gateway for those looking to explore the Dordogne with lots of boutiques, bars and restaurants. The cancellation of flights to Strasbourg is sad news for any Christmas fans. The city is referred to as Europe's Christmas capital because of its festive markets that attract millions of visitors. This year, the market is scheduled to run from November 27 to December 27 While you won't be able to get there with Ryanair, easyJet will introduce the route from Manchester this winter. Here's more on the new TUI winter route from the UK – 30 years after the last direct flight between the cities. Plus, the world's best value holiday destination gets more cheap flights from the UK this summer.
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
Aberdeen to make final decision on proposed 7% tourist tax
Councillors in Aberdeen are set to make a final decision over a proposed 7% tourist tax next week. It is hoped the introduction of a visitor levy would generate up to £7.5m per year, adding around £5 on top of the cost of an average hotel room in the city per night. In February, councillors agreed to press ahead with plans to introduce the levy and launch a public consultation on the scheme, giving residents and local businesses the chance to have their say on it. Now, those consultations have come back to the council for consideration, and the local authority's finance and resources committee is due to make a final decision on Wednesday, August 6. Councillors say that the additional income could help bring events like the World Rally Championship and Tall Ships Races back to Aberdeen. The cash could also be spent on improvements across the city, such as upgrades to the Winter Gardens and replacement Christmas lights. If the levy is approved, it is estimated that it could be in place by April 2027 at the earliest. 'I think this visitor levy, if we did choose to implement it, would offer a real opportunity in terms of boosting the Aberdeen and local economy,' said Alex McLellan, convener of the finance and resource committee at Aberdeen City Council. 'To contextualise, you're talking about the price of a coffee. You're talking about a few pounds on top of your cost per night, which could really boost the local economy in Aberdeen. 'The visitor levy offers a real opportunity for the council to generate additional revenue, which can be used to boost the visitor economy, bring people here, bring major events here, and really put Aberdeen on the map as a destination in Scotland.' The rate would apply to all overnight accommodation in the city, including hotels, hostels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering lets. Camping sites and caravan parks would also charge the fee. Exemptions would be made for homeless people, asylum seekers and refugees, and those who receive benefits, payments or allowances for disabilities. Those who are travelling to the city for medical appointments would also be excluded from paying the levy. Stephen Gow, general manager of the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen, said a visitor levy is 'not an unusual thing to have'. 'You go to most European cities and you'll find that there's a levy on the visitors coming in,' he said. 'We have to be careful that the percentage is not misinterpreted. The rates in Aberdeen are perhaps lower than they are in the Central Belt, who have suggested that they're going to have a lower percentage, but the actual amount of money paid will be higher.' The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill was passed in May last year, allowing councils across the country to charge a fee or tax on overnight stays. Glasgow's new tourist tax has already been given the go-ahead, with visitors to be charged on average £4.83 per night from January 25, 2027. Edinburgh councillors approved a similar 5% visitor levy in January, which will take effect from July 24, 2026. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Evening Standard
2 days ago
- Evening Standard
The days of reporting a crime in an actual police station? They're over
Look, if we're not safe going down Bond Street – even if we can't buy things, we can still look - where are we safe? And that's the point at which the Mayor and the Home Secretary should have registered alarm; it's not gang-ridden council estates we're talking about, but the sort of places we go to see the Christmas lights, the sort of places that visitors to London make for. If you can't send your teenage children into the West End to meet their friends without worrying, that translates into the kind of middle class angst that causes people seriously to consider the attractions of Norfolk. And the upshot of that is that the capital becomes more hollowed out.
