Heathrow power outage caused by moisture in electrical system
The report said the fire "was most likely caused by moisture entering the bushing causing a short circuit. The electricity likely then "arced" (causing sparks) which combined with air and heat to ignite the oil, resulting in a fire."Bushing is a mechanical device used to temper energy between two electrical parts.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
UK rail regulator rejects Virgin's bid for west coast mainline route
Sir Richard Branson's hopes of returning Virgin trains to the west coast mainline have been dashed after the UK rail regulator rejected its application amid concerns over delays and cancelled journeys. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has rebuffed three applications for the route, which connects London to Glasgow and serves major cities including Birmingham. Branson's Virgin, East Coast Trains (known as Lumo) and Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company Ltd, all lost their bids. The regulator said new services could not be introduced due to insufficient space on the west coast mainline (WCML), which would 'likely detriment … train performance'. The line is operated by Avanti West Coast – a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia – but is due to be one of the final major routes renationalised by the Labour government by October 2027 at the latest. The government has also been attempting to increase competition on the railways by opening up access to rival operators. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'After thorough assessment of each application, it was clear that there was insufficient capacity to approve any of the services without a serious negative impact on the level of train performance that passengers experience on the west coast mainline. While the ORR recognised there was an advantage to adding competition on the route, Tobyn said the southern end of the route needed space in the timetable to ensure proper running of trains. 'Additional services within the current timetable structure and planned capacity use would further weaken punctuality and reliability, not just at the south end of the WCML but elsewhere as well,' he said. Virgin has been vying for a return to Britain's rails since being taken off the tracks by the Conservative government, which blocked the renewal of its west coast franchise in 2019. Virgin had previously operated services on the line since 1997. Virgin had applied for three new services from London Euston, with contracts lasting 10 years until December 2035. They would include services to Greater Manchester and the north-west, Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street. In May, Network Rail refused to support the three companies' applications to access the line, and Virgin appealed to the ORR. On Thursday, the ORR said it considered Virgin's application in its own right but arrived at the same conclusion for each application. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Documents released alongside the notice showed the Department for Transport said the line already operated at 'close to capacity', particularly in and out of London Euston and was concerned about conflicts with the HS2 and Avanti West Coast services. The DfT added that Virgin's application would have an 'unacceptable level of impact on taxpayers, given the greatly constrained overall position of rail finances, and that the loss of revenue on such a significant scale would materially impact the funds available' to the government to invest in the railway. Virgin criticised ORR's decision, saying it was a 'blow for consumer choice and competition' and that the proposed service would have resulted in '5m additional seats every year from a trusted brand with a track-record for delivering award-winning, reliable train services for its customers.' It also hit out at Labour's nationalisation plans. 'Anyone who remembers British Rail would rather forget it. Competition improves services, increases rail ridership, and drives better results for everyone, including the taxpayer,' it said.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tiny beach hut in popular staycation hotspot on the market for £120,000 - but there's a catch
A tiny beach hut in a popular staycation hotspot has gone on the market for £120,000 - but there's a catch. The blue and white striped chalet, known as Hut 319, is located on Thorpe Bay beach in Southend-on-Sea. Propped up on stilts on the sandy beach, it also has a balcony for enjoying the views of the Thames estuary. The is a maximum capacity for ten people, with pictures showing a small padded bench as a rustic sofa, a small kitchen with cupboards, a sink and a hob. The listing reads: 'As the hut sits opposite the Yacht Club and is east of the slipway, access to the beach is not obvious, so this part of the beach is normally much quieter than the main beach. 'Thorpe Bay Yacht Club is 100 yards away and membership would give you free parking, a bar with food and toilet and shower facilities. 'Or [a] five minute walk to Uncle Toms Cabin for food, drink, ice cream and toilets. 'Public seafront parking 100 yards. Stunning walks on the sand flats out to the Mulberry harbour at low tide to see seals, this stretch of the beach is the closest access to the Mulberry.' The is a maximum capacity for ten people, with pictures showing a small padded bench as a rustic sofa, a small kitchen with cupboards, a sink and a hob However, there is one catch for the person who decides to pay the six-figure sum - there is no toilet or bed with the nearest facilities 399 metres away. As the beach hut is located opposite the yacht club and is east of the slipway, the listing says access to the part of the beach it is on is 'not obvious' - meaning it usually remains quieter than the main part. Hut 319 is currently on the market with and is one of two beach huts currently being sold at £120,000. Owners of huts are currently blaming hikes in rates and taxes for a slump in the market. Last December, a wooden beach hut on a pristine Dorset sandbank was bought for £485,000 - making it one of Britain's most expensive. Local Jamie Smith, who has been documenting the huts, said at the time that prices had skyrocketed since he moved to the area five years ago. He added: 'They are just sheds, let's be honest! 'The reason they are so popular is because of their location. 'Since I've lived here the first sale was around 300k which I thought was ludicrous and they've just shot up. 'This recent one apparently sold in less than 24 hours. 'They're probably a good investment long-term but as for living you're not allowed to live in them for half the year.' The comments come after two other beach huts have been sold over the past year for £480,000 and £415,000 - both without a toilet, running water or gas. Over the past 20 years prices for beach huts at Mudeford have shot up from £80,000 to almost £500,000. Beach hut values have soared in value in the last few decades, thanks in no small part to the rise in staycationers since the Covid pandemic. The record price paid for one was £575,000 in September 2021.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Our daughter has Down Syndrome – this Lake District destination made the perfect family holiday
Windermere is a hard no. It's not personal – we have been before, and there is plenty for families to see and do, but not this time. The holiday crowds, narrow pavements and unrelenting traffic proved to be a bit much for me, let alone my seven-year-old daughter, Alice, who has Down Syndrome. While it's not the most restrictive of disabilities, it still needs to be managed carefully. Instead, we head for nearby Coniston Water. This is the heart of Swallows and Amazons territory and my wife, Jane, and I agree it will be just the thing to get our two kids off their electronic devices. Phones and iPads had been used to get us along the motorway that crawls past Manchester, but now they have to be wrenched from our children's hands. There is a grudging acknowledgement from our 11-year-old son, Henry, that mountains and lakes might be almost as interesting as a screen; a model-railway enthusiast, he begins to contemplate how the green hillsides dotted with sheep and cows might be incorporated into his set. The weather is cloudy, but the rain is on pause, so we book a 60-minute trip on the Coniston Launch, based at Coniston Boat Landings. Alice is easily startled by noise and it is very hard to get her to calm once upset, so we come prepared with ear defenders to offset the noise made by diesel engines. These are used initially, but soon discarded once the boat actually sets sail. Compared to Windermere, this area of the Lake District is undeveloped, thanks in part to the National Trust. The draw of Peel (aka Wild Cat) Island, meant the secret harbour wasn't so secret, hosting kayakers and boats sailing around and about. Alice has already taught me how much I used to underestimate people with disabilities, so I reflect on whether she might be capable of kayaking one day. For now, we stick with the cruise; seeing the island close-up is still a treat. We could have disembarked as part of the boat trip, but opt to return to shore; hungry humans, young or old, are not conducive to happy sightseeing. We eat lunch in the Blue Bird Café (a reference to Donald Campbell and his ill-fated attempt to break the water speed record), where they do a very acceptable toasted sandwich, with excellent views across the water. Arthur Ransome is just one of many writers and artists who fell in love with the Lakes. The Victorian intellectual and aesthete, John Ruskin, is one of the few who had the chance to build a home, Brantwood, on the hills facing the Old Man of Coniston. With beautifully curated gardens and breathtaking views of the fells, it forms a stunning part of the natural landscape. Brantwood can also be reached via a short drive down very narrow roads on the eastern side of Coniston Water. Alice is prone to tiring easily, but enjoys (rather than just copes with) the walk-up steps and slopes from the car park to the house. Provision is made for disabled visitors, but parts of the house and garden are inaccessible to wheelchair users. Despite being open to the public, complete with café and gift shop, Brantwood retains a homely feel. Normally, it is a struggle to exit swiftly and cost-free through the shop. On this occasion, browsing through the books made me the guilty party, while my wife looked at the art work. Inspired by Ruskin, my son announces he wants to keep a diary of words and pictures and asks for a Brantwood pencil and notebook. For once, I'm happy that I hadn't rushed through. We stay at The Swan at Newby Bridge, a place that is well known to us and selected by The Independent as the best family hotel in the Lakes. It's easy to see why. Located off the A590 – perfect for the South Lakes and tourist attractions – it has family rooms, a swimming pool, small indoor games room and an outdoor play area. There are a few glitches – our room had not been cleaned properly – but it's dealt with by friendly staff who want to make things right. A family suite proved ideal for us. The hotel is an old coaching inn, which is part of its charm, but thought has been given to guests with mobility issues, including four accessible rooms, two of which have a wet room. There is also a wheelchair-friendly path from the hotel down to the lake side. The pub-style section to the dining area is reliable, and we would have been happy to eat there every night as it is perfect for families. We had our own food for Alice, due to aspects of her condition, which was accepted without question, as one would hope. We did eat out one night, at the Royal Oak in Cartmel, a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Without the kids, I'd be looking at blowing the budget on dining at one of Simon Rogan's places. With kids, however, a pub in the heart of the village seemed a wiser choice and we were rewarded with lovely food, warm people and beer from the local Fells Brewery. We finished with sticky toffee pudding as Cartmel holds claim to this decadent dishes' invention. Whether arriving early to the Lakes, or wanting to extend your stay on departure, Sizergh Castle, just off the M6, is a great place to stop. It's a National Trust property, which means a good café and a decent walk, if not a children's play area. Travelling with children, let alone a disabled one, can bring moments of stress and bliss in equal measure. When we were just a couple, revisiting places was anathema – there's so much of the world to discover. Nowadays, we 'risk-assess', like most parents, just more so. When we leave the Swan and the Lakes, our thoughts are less 'where next' and more 'when can we return'?
