Bristol road closures are 'shocking' councillor says
While Passage Road - in the north of the city - is closed southbound, traffic will need to follow the signposted diversion via Crow Lane, Henbury Road, and Falcondale Road for onwards travel.Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the road.The works are needed to rebuild a section of the road because it was originally constructed with poor quality materials, the city council said.The work on Passage Road is happening while the Henbury transport scheme is being built - which has already seen widespread disruption in the area.Meanwhile, work to repair Bath New Bridge, part of Bath Bridges roundabout on the A4 Bath Road, has started on Monday.Its repair forms part of the council's £16m New Cut bridge's restoration programme that is restoring eight crossings over five years. Only one lane of the bridge can remain open while the repair work takes place, meaning significant delays are to be expected when heading into the city centre on the A4. From Monday, York Road will reopen one-way travelling from Bath Bridges roundabout towards Bedminster Bridges roundabout.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Does Edinburgh's Royal Mile need 72 tourist gift shops?
BBC The Royal Mile is the ancient spine of Edinburgh, visited by five million tourists each year. The collective name for four streets that thread through the city's Old Town, it is home to a 900-year-old castle, a palace and a parliament. But the people who live there claim they are now seeing the overtourism problems being experienced across Europe. With tourists comes tourist shops, and BBC Scotland News walked the length of the Royal Mile to count up a total of 72 stores, selling everything from kilts to Highland cow fridge magnets. They are part of an industry that supports more than 40,000 jobs in Edinburgh. But locals say having so many similar shops in one place is symptomatic of the challenges that mass tourism brings. The gift shops - most of which are run by three main operators - sell every imaginable Scotland or Edinburgh-themed item, from postcards and soft toys to clothing. Included are two shops which only sell Christmas-related gifts. The Royal Mile is also home to 42 cafes or restaurants, 13 bars, eight jewellers and three kilt retailers. That's in addition to the museums, cathedral, court, primary school and homes located along the steep and narrow pavements. 'I'm not against tourism, I just think it has gone too far' One man who is almost uniquely qualified to understand the impact of tourism on the Royal Mile is 77-year-old Jimmy Robertson. He has lived on the Canongate, at the bottom of the Royal Mile, since birth and proudly refers to himself as a Canongotian. Jimmy, who has lived in five different homes, can list the "useful shops" that used to be a stone's throw away. They include hairdressers, butchers, grocers and a doctors' surgery - which is now a whisky shop. He said it used to be "a normal area" where people would live and work. "It was probably in the 1980s you saw a lot of people moving out and the street beginning to change," he explained. Jimmy used to work at the brewery which is now the site of the Scottish Parliament. He has long enjoyed sitting outside the 17th Century Canongate Kirk, where one of the benches has an inscription to his late mother. Jimmy added: "I would sit on that bench and you'd watch the world go by, saying hello to folk you knew coming by. "Now I sit there and it feels like it is just tourists that pass me by. "I'm not against tourism, I just think it has gone far in how it affects people who live here." Jimmy said he now had to go out of the area to get his food shopping, or rely on relatives to bring it to him. He said the council was to blame for allowing too many tourist shops to open in one area. It is a point that some critics argue is borne out by data published by the City of Edinburgh Council last year which shows it owns and rents out 35 shops along the Royal Mile, many of which are leased to tourism businesses. Hanna Wesemann lives just off the Royal Mile and both her children attended Royal Mile Primary School. In 2004, this Victorian-era built school had 165 pupils but now the roll is down to 118 pupils – well below its 210 capacity. The 29% fall in pupils does not surprise Hanna, who says the Old Town increasingly "does not feel like a good area to bring up a family". Hanna puts this down to the pressures of tourism and the blight of anti-social behaviour by problem drug and alcohol users outside her flat, which requires regular calls to the police. She said: "It feels like all that's left here is shops for tourists, tourists, and people who have multiple and complex needs. "It [the Royal Mile] is on our doorstep but we never go there because there's nothing for us. "There used to be some useful shops, even charity shops, but now they are all gone and all I can see is gift shops which all seem to sell the same stuff." Increase in international visitors to Edinburgh Only London beats Edinburgh in terms of the most popular places to visit in the UK. Domestic visitors account for the bulk of the city's tourists staying for at least one night - a total of 2.6m in 2023, up from 2.47m in 2015. But it is overseas visitors who are driving Edinburgh's increasing popularity. After a dramatic fall in the Covid years, Edinburgh now attracts one million more international visitors every year than it did a decade ago. Combined with domestic visitors, that is 4.98m total overnight trips by all visitors in 2023. Where to accommodate these tourists, especially in peak periods like the Edinburgh festivals, has been a topic of hot discussion in the city for years. Edinburgh saw a well documented surge in residential properties being turned over to holiday lets in the previous decade. The number of listings by Airbnb in the city jumped from 1,900 in 2014 to 9,000 three years later. New laws requiring operators of short-term lets to have a licence has reduced this tally but data from Inside Airbnb - an independent website which gathers data on Airbnb's operations - suggests there are still just under 6,000 listings for Edinburgh properties today. BBC Scotland News counted 96 key boxes of the type typically used for holiday lets on, or just off, the Royal Mile earlier this month. The impact of holiday lets on people living in the most popular tourist areas is very familiar to Hanna and her family. She explained: "They're not bad people but they don't consider this as an area where people live as normal residents. "You can't build a relationship with someone for three days and I'm really tired of going upstairs every few days and saying 'Can you please be quiet, we have to go to work in the morning'." While much of the focus on where tourists stay has been on the controversy around holiday lets, there are now 181 hotels in Edinburgh - more than twice as many as there were in 2005. What tourism does for Edinburgh's economy There is little doubt that tourism plays a key role in the city's economy. Hosting the world's largest arts festival every August is a big part of that but tourism is now an all-year round industry. It is estimated the average overnight visitor spent £435 in 2023. That filters down to a range of businesses, from coffee shops to taxi firms, supporting thousands of jobs. A spokesman for the Gold Brothers Group - which owns 16 shops on the Royal Mile and employs 340 people in peak season - said claims about too many tourists were nothing new. But he added that there was still capacity for more visitors outwith the festivals in August. The spokesman said: "Our view is that a number of priority issues are being overlooked due to a fixation on tourist numbers. "The urgent priorities for residents, business owners and visitors to the Old Town are cleanliness as the place is filthy; anti-social behaviour; and criminality including violence and a serious 'theftdemic'. "Maybe Edinburgh's local population could come and visit and reflect on what the Royal Mile looked like years ago with its poorly maintained shops with little or no investment and then, without prejudice, consider the quality of outlets now." The spokesman called on the City of Edinburgh Council to "stride to its A game" by cleaning the Old Town more often and ensuring it is "safe and a joy to behold". Edinburgh 'a great place to live and visit' Council leader Jane Meagher said the local authority was determined ensure the Royal Mile was "clean and well-maintained". She also told BBC Scotland News the Old Town High Street was thriving. Meagher added: "Shopfronts are open, supporting local jobs and our economy, with a great mix of businesses in the area from independent kiltmakers to homemade crafts. "As one of the biggest landlords in the area we encourage this mix and work to make sure properties are occupied." The council leader acknowledged anti-social behaviour remained a concern but said the local authority was working with Police Scotland to address problems. Additional CCTV has also been installed around the Tron and Hunter Square. Meagher said: "We're also making the Royal Mile a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists, while making sure it is clean and well-maintained. "Our refurbishment of North Bridge is a visible commitment of our plans to ensure the area remains at the beating heart of the city, as is the extra £1m we're investing this year to tackle litter and graffiti in our communities." The funding includes additional resources for washing pavements and closes in the Old Town. Meagher said: "Once Edinburgh's visitor levy has launched, we hope to invest even more money to manage the impact tourism has, to ensure our city remains a great place to live and to visit." The future of tourism in Edinburgh Getty Images The latest Scottish census suggests just under 9,000 people live in the areas in and around the Royal Mile. This covers the tall blocks of flats that flank either side of the Royal Mile and the nearby council-built estate of Dumbiedykes, which has about 600 homes but no shop, GP surgery, pharmacy or post office. All of these residents feel the direct pressure tourism can bring but there are wider pressures on the city too. A 8.4% jump in the city's population in the 10 years to 2023 has contributed to a deepening housing and homelessness crisis. Next year Edinburgh will introduce the kind of tourist tax that is common around Europe and city leaders have pledged to invest the £50m it is expected to raise every year on infrastructure improvements. This has been mostly welcomed but some fear it might not be enough to help Edinburgh adapt to the growing demands of tourism. Edinburgh becomes first 'tourist tax' city in Scotland 'I was homeless - now I show tourists my city's hidden side' Record number of overseas tourists visit Scotland in 2023 Tourism Scotland Edinburgh Impacts of tourism Airbnb
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
‘My favourite round of golf of all time'
'I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life,' Bobby Jones, the legendary American golfer once said. Standing in the window of Rusacks Hotel with the 18th green and first tee of the Old Course to my right and, below, waves crashing in on West Sands beach under the spring sunshine, it's not hard to see where Jones was coming from. I'm at the home of golf, the place where it all began, on the first day of my Marine & Lawn Grand Tour — a customisable experience that allows golfers to combine fine hotels and food with the most iconic courses across Scotland and Northern Ireland. On this there's no need to consider logistics — everything is arranged, from tee times to dinner reservations and transfers to caddies. The only thing I need to worry about is getting the ball around 18 challenging holes of links golf without being distracted by the natural beauty. The company offers six hotels and resorts to choose from, including Dornoch Station, Marine North Berwick and Slieve Donard. My playing partner and I visit three: Rusacks St Andrews and Marine Troon in Scotland and the newly opened Portrush Adelphi in Northern Ireland, a short stroll away from Royal Portrush Golf Club, the venue for July's Open Championship. Having never visited the Old Course on which the sport was born more than 600 years ago, St Andrews seemed like the perfect place to start our four-night adventure. Just an hour's drive from Edinburgh airport, the little coastal town is a delightful mix of traditional windswept stone buildings and natural beauty. It's also a temple to golf, with endless parades of golf shops, statues, pubs and plaques commemorating Tom Morris, the godfather of modern golf. At the heart of the town, a few feet from the final green of the Old Course, is our first stop-off: the outstanding Rusacks. First opened in 1887, the original towering townhouse mansion has been sympathetically extended to create a luxurious yet relaxed country-style boutique hotel. Interiors are rich with wood panelling and bookshelves, framed pictures of golfing adventures, chandeliers, intricate wooden floors and heavy-piled patterned rugs. Our room, at the front of the hotel, has views over the beach on which the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire were filmed, and is a wonderful place to rest and relax after a round of golf, with a big bathtub and walk-in shower. The staff, who genuinely seem to love the town, the hotel and its history, recommend lunch at One Under Bar, which feels like a cross between a traditional brick-walled pub and smart clubhouse — and serves a delicious Scottish charcuterie board. We're keen to get playing, though, so having picked up our Titleist rental clubs (we wanted to travel light — but you can take your own) and got instructions on where to pick up our caddies, we were off in our hire car. The Grand Tour organisers have matched our golfing abilities (an 18-20ish handicap) with courses that are both challenging and enjoyable. First stop, Dumbarnie Links, about 20 minutes away — a beautifully designed modern golf course that occupies 375 pretty acres overlooking the Firth of Forth. After a wee dram on the first tee with our caddies, we enjoy a testing but exhilarating 18 holes under the spring sun: a glorious introduction to links golf (please don't ask my score). Then it's time for a delicious seafood dinner at Rusacks, with sunset views over the Old Course. The next day it's time to play the famous St Andrews links. The New Course, designed by Tom Morris in 1895, is the oldest 'new' course in the world, and runs parallel to the hallowed turf where golf began. With the wind behind me I manage a birdie on the par-five 3rd. I'm Tiger Woods, I think, or Rory McIlroy. Alas no. I finish with 91, but will never forget that birdie. Things get even better at our next stop, Room 116 at Rusacks, an intimate lounge and bar that celebrates two of Scotland's greatest gifts to the world — golf and whisky. After a tasting experience of the Glendronach Highland Single Malt amid pictures of golfing legends, and seafood and steak at 18 Rooftop Restaurant, set high up above the golf links, we drive two and a half hours to Marine Troon. The light and airy hotel on the Ayrshire coast, with views over the Isle of Arran, is just feet away from the 18th fairway of the Royal Troon Golf Club, nine-time host of the Open. The building, originally a manor house from 1894, has plenty of period charm, with rich woods and chandeliers, floral wallpapers and deep carpets — and views from every window of the coast and the course. After a delicious lunch at the Seal Bar (named after the first hole at Troon), it's time to try Dunbonald Links, which has hosted the Scottish Women's Open and the final qualifying for the Open Championship. Here we are kept on our toes by water, cauldron bunkers and some spectacularly undulating greens, then soothed by Marine Troon's comfortable and relaxed restaurant, the Rabbit, where we feast on delicious fresh trout and pork belly. Sadly there's little time to visit the hotel's large pool and spa, because the next morning we have a half-hour flight to take from Glasgow to Belfast and an hour's road trip to the charming seaside town of Portrush. As we drive past Royal Portrush Golf Course, the stands have already been put up for this summer's Open Championships and the area is buzzing with activity. Our hotel, the Adelphi, converted from a grand townhouse, is a block away from the beach and, like the others, has dark polished woods and leather furniture to sink into and a plethora of golfing and nautical touches to remind you where you are. Although the room is spacious and comfortable, the sunshine and nearby seashore lure us out — as does more golf. Our final 18 holes are 15 minutes' away, along the coast road, at Portstewart Golf Club, host of the Irish Open and rated one of the top 100 golf courses by Golf Digest. We've been told the views are impressive, but nothing can prepare us for the majesty of the opening nine holes. Framed by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the moody sky, rolling dunes and tricky manicured greens, this is a course that assaults the senses (in a very good way). It is also extremely challenging. Without our incredibly patient caddies, we might still be on the course. But after Guinness on tap at the halfway house, and a back nine offering us a few more chances for par, we make the final hole before dark. Afterwards, on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the beach, we agree: this is our favourite round of golf — not just on the tour, but of all time. Hosted by the Adelphi's friendly, chatty staff, we celebrate with more excellent seafood (ranging from cured sea bass and crab linguine to risotto di mare) and a cocktail in the bar. I did get around Portstewart in double digits — and that has to be worth celebrating. As we drive back to Belfast the following morning, I reflect on the lessons I've learnt. I probably need to have some golf lessons in a bunker. Apparently it's not always 25C and sunny on these links courses. But, most of all, the Grand Tour is most worthy of its name. A four-night golf trip with Marine & Lawn costs from £5,000 per person, including accommodation, golf and transfers (but not flights and food),
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Global Clipper race lives up to its name, with Britons in the minority
A Frenchman, an American and a Belarussian board a Clipper Round the World yacht and the skipper says 'where have all the Brits gone?' It may sound like the start of a joke, but the increasing popularity of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's race has resulted in the proportion of British crew plummeting, with more than half of sailors taking part hailing from the rest of the world. 'Originally it was only the Brits and a few Europeans taking part, but the last race had 43 nationalities' Knox-Johnston, 86, said, before the start of this year's race at the end of next month. 'The international crew were at 53 per cent in the last race, with the Brits down to 47.' The biennial race, where about 700 amateur sailors pay to race around the world on a 70ft racing yacht, helped by a professional skipper, first launched in 1996. This year's event, which takes place across eight legs and involves a fleet of 10 Clipper 70 yachts, will have the highest number of international crew so far. 'We've got better known internationally,' Knox-Johnston said. 'We go to these ports around the world and when you get crew from other countries their newspapers send reports back, so that's bloody good advertising.' Forty-five per cent of the crew aged 40 and under are female this year, while across all ages about 25 per cent of the crew are women. The biggest group of participants, after the British, is now Americans. 'It used to be Australians, but that's dropped,' said Knox-Johnston, who became the first man to sail non-stop around the world solo in 1969. The first thing prospective crew have to do is complete four weeks of rigorous sail training on the Solent, where Clipper has its headquarters in Gosport, Hampshire. It costs about £10,000 to complete the training and take part in one of the race legs. For those wanting to do the full circumnavigation of the globe it costs more than £50,000. When The Times joined a crew of 12 amateurs completing their first week of training, only two were British. The rest came from Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, France, Belarus, Germany and the US. It is a steep learning curve as many sign up without any previous sailing experience, having seen an advert at a time when they want to radically change their lives. Kyle Vacca, 43, a former pilot in the US Air Force who is now an engineer and mission manager at SpaceX, managed to lose his iPhone overboard just before the crew's first man overboard drill, after someone knocked into him on deck. 'It's been a very intensive learning experience,' Vacca said. 'I am used to operating procedures in potentially hazardous environments while being safe and working with a team, so the details are new to me but there are a lot of similarities.' By the end of the first week they are beginning to get to grips with the vast array of different ropes onboard and bewildering terminology. 'You need to load the halyard on to the pit winch and open the jammer,' Nigel Parry, 60, the skipper of the training boat, shouts into the wind at Alice Morel, 35, a French travel agent living in Queensland, Australia, who has no previous sailing experience. Then he barks: 'Oliver, are you milkmaid? Then you should be on the other side of the mast.' Later in the day they attempt their second man overboard drill. Trish McLaughlin, 55, a retired Canadian police officer from Mount Currie, a small town of 5,000 people in British Columbia, is winched over the side to retrieve a floating dummy from the choppy Solent. 'I've always wanted to learn how to sail for my retirement and see the world,' she said, after successfully retrieving the dummy on the third attempt. 'I saw Clipper on my social media feeds and this made me realise I could learn to cross an ocean.' McLaughlin said the training had been 'a lot'. 'I didn't realise sailing was as technical as it has been,' she said. 'I used to have a water phobia but I conquered that so I could go sailing. 'I did have some people saying, 'Are you crazy?' and 'What are you wasting all your money for?' but it's my investment in my retirement, to be able to meet beautiful people in beautiful places, and see a little bit more of the world.' The 14th edition of the race sets sail from Portsmouth on August 31, but for those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land, a new five-part series called No Going Back, which follows the teams in the 13th edition, is available on Amazon Prime Video.
