
Injunction stops explorers visiting Portsmouth's Spitbank Fort
"There've been quite a number of people accessing the fort, going over there by boat or by paddleboard, to film themselves wandering around outside and inside the fort and posting it on social media in order to generate likes and comments," said Ms Dare.The property was not safe to get to, "not very safe to be in there, and if somebody were to get trapped inside it there's no mobile phone signal", she added.People visiting the site had to break locks to get in, she added, saying the videos suggested the place was abandoned and people could just "wander in"."That's not true at all - it's private property," Ms Dare said."The comments that go alongside [the videos] are people saying 'we're gonna go too'… at that point you've got to do something."
'Thrilled'
Ms Dare said the injunction meant anyone trespassing would automatically be in contempt of court and may be liable to criminal sanctions, adding her client was "thrilled" it had been granted."It's a relief, I think, that something has now been done to prevent people going across and using it," she said."It's a really cool building and it's been converted into this luxury hotel… you can see the fascination but at the end of the day it's private property."
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The UK regions with the worst offenders for rising early and snapping up sunbeds - where does YOUR area rank
Everyone loves to blag a poolside spot in the sun – and this year has seen fierce battles between those looking to grab their loungers early. Even though most resorts prohibit the reserving of sunbeds, it's common to see them draped with towels while holidaymakers are off having their breakfast – a travel etiquette no-no. And now the worst-behaving Brits have been revealed – with one region coming bottom of the list. Those in the West Midlands are most likely to get up early when they're on holiday in order to reserve their sunbed. This was closely followed by people living in England's North West and North East, Wales and Northern Ireland. The results come from a YouGov survey of more than 2,500 UK adults, who were asked about their part in the so-called 'sunbed wars'. Those living in the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber are least likely to spring out of bed to snatch a lounger. Across the UK, 12 per cent of those asked admitted to this behaviour – with people in Northern Ireland and Wales just above the UK average, and Scotland coming in at 10 per cent. Though over one in ten revealed this habit, it marks a decrease from the 72 per cent who admitted doing so five years ago, according to GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities. Benjy Potter, a spokesperson for the company, said this shows that 'the days of getting up at the crack of dawn to simply sit are fading fast' – though footage on social media from this summer shows the dawn scramble is very much still a thing. But it seems that some habits are harder to break. The research revealed that almost a quarter of Brits still indulge in a full English breakfast at the airport before jetting off. Booze has been given a brush-off, with 30 per cent of UK travellers saying they drink less alcohol on holiday now than they did five years ago. Only 12 per cent admit having a tipple at the airport before flying, with those in the North East (18 per cent) most likely to hit up Wetherspoons for a pint. Despite this, many tourists are still playing up when abroad. This week, holidaymakers were left shocked as they watched a 'stampede' unfold for prime sunbed spots at a popular five-star hotel in Crete. It was sparked by influencers who wanted to take selfies 'all day' on them – infuriating other guests. Dozens of guests were seen charging towards available loungers as the pool opened for the day in chaotic scenes at Akasha Beach Hotel & Spa on the Greek island of Crete. And earlier this month, British summer workers got revenge on 'selfish' tourists in Zante who reserved sunbeds – by 'hiding' their towels and flinging them up trees. Waitress Millie Newsham, 20, was on her way back to her hotel room at 6am after a night out with friends last week when they noticed towels had been placed on sunbeds to reserve them. Footage shows the group dragging towels off the loungers, chucking and scattering them around the poolside. The Brits can be seen flinging the towels onto railings and a tree.


Times
4 hours ago
- Times
I fear a state monopoly of the rail timetable, fares and capacity
'N o room, No room,' said Network Rail, which owns and manages railway infrastructure. And the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, agreed. In its decision of July 3, the office rejected three companies' applications, made in 2024, for track access contracts for the west coast main line — the railway that has its London terminus at Euston. Virgin wanted to operate three new services including Euston to Birmingham; First Group applied to operate new services from Euston to Rochdale; and Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company applied to operate new services to Wrexham. Their problem was that in May 2020 — four years before they made their applications — Network Rail had made a formal declaration that part of the route, from London to Leighton Buzzard, counted as 'congested infrastructure'. They made applications that seemed doomed to fail, unless the rail regulator intervened. • Great Bolshevik Railways going the wrong way The regulator concluded that this part of the line was 'currently unable to accommodate any of the proposed applications'. That verdict depended heavily on the value the regulator placed on Network Rail having some spare capacity available for existing and planned services. Also, critically, it depended on the existing timetable and service specifications for the incumbent operators, and for the HS2 line north of Birmingham. Will the 'existing timetable and service specifications' be maintained by Great British Railways, the planned state-owned railway company? If not, will the private or 'open-access operators' like Virgin be able to use the spare capacity ? If the answer to both questions is no, the future for passengers is bleak. Subject to there being any appeal, the regulator's decision has brought to the fore first, to my mind, a predictable clash between an independent regulator and a government hostile to any engagement by the private sector in its state-owned and controlled railway, and secondly a complete absence of any sense of direction or commitment on the part of the government as to the future of the timetable and service specifications. • Virgin Trains' attempt to get back on to the railways blocked The regulator's decision also showed how its so-called 'not primarily abstractive', or NPA, test would work, even though its decision was not based on it. This test is used to help the regulator to balance its statutory duties, in particular those to promote competition for the benefit of users and to have regard to the funds available to the secretary of state. Of five applications it looked at, four would have passed the test. However, the government argued that only one of the five would have passed the test. Moreover, the regulator's decision refers to Department for Transport submissions made to it in June this year in which the government 'stressed the need for ORR to take steps to fully understand and consider the cumulative scale and impact of abstraction when it assesses open-access applications'. My concern is that a state monopoly in control of the timetable, fares and capacity, and intolerant of any risk that competition may erode that monopoly through the provision of better services, is a bleak future for us all. John Swift KC was Rail Regulator, 1993-1998


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Six ways parents can keep costs low during expensive summer holidays through vouchers, clubs and freebies
SUMMER holidays can be a financial nightmare for parents already stretched by the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, families could be spending up to £1,000 more per week once school is out. 2 And if they decide to go abroad, the average cost of a family holiday now tops £3,600. But help is out there – and there are ways to ease the burden, especially if you're on Universal Credit or a low income. Kids eat free deals In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, families can make the most of free offers, local council schemes, and low-cost childcare this summer. Many cafes and restaurants run "kids eat free" offers during the holidays, helping to cut the cost of days out. Supermarket chains like Tesco give kids a free meal as long as you buy something from the adult menu. Asda has meals for children at just £1, and you don't need to buy anything else. Restaurant chains like Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Franco Manca and Bill's also usually have summer deals. These offers are available to all families, not just those on benefits. Free holiday clubs Parents on low incomes can also get support from their local council through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. I've saved £15k on trips to Ibiza, Mallorca & Turkey with term time holidays - I'll never stop, fines are a tax on the working class This gives children the chance to join in with sports, music or creative clubs, and includes a nutritious meal every day for free. The support available depends on your council, but generally families with children who receive free school meals are eligible. In some areas, kids can get a place in a holiday club for the equivalent of four hours a day. Check with your local authority to see what's on offer and how to sign up. Vouchers for bills and groceries Another option for help is the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is also run by local councils. This government scheme gives struggling households access to food or energy vouchers, or direct payments. Councils across England have received a share of £742million in funding, which will run until March 2026. Many councils offer vouchers for supermarkets or energy bills, while others send money directly to residents. You usually qualify if you're on a low income, claiming benefits, or classed as vulnerable. Again, contact your council to find out what help is available. There are also handy apps that can help reduce food costs. Apps to save on food Olio is a popular option that lets households and businesses give away food they don't need. Items are offered for free, but it's often first come, first served, so you have to be quick. Another useful app is Too Good To Go. It offers surprise bags of leftover food from restaurants and shops at a discounted price. You won't know what's in the bag until you collect it, but it can be a good way to save on snacks and meals. Free or cheap days out Families on Universal Credit and other benefits can also get access to top attractions for a fraction of the usual cost. ZSL London Zoo offers £3 tickets for those on Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance – a huge saving on peak tickets which usually start at £33. How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' Other spots such as York Castle Museum offer free entry, while you can visit Kew Gardens or one of the Historic Royal Palaces for just £1. There are even more free or discounted activities, including cinema tickets for as little as £2.50, free sports sessions and library reading challenges that offer free prizes. Childcare is another big cost for parents over summer, but there are ways to ease the pressure. Tax-Free Childcare allows working parents to save 20 per cent on childcare costs. If you've got two children in clubs for five weeks, that could be worth around £300. This support is available for children under 12, or under 17 if they have a disability. You can get up to £500 every three months – a total of £2,000 a year – per child to help with costs like nurseries and summer clubs. However, if you're on Universal Credit or receive tax credits, you must not apply for Tax-Free Childcare as it can affect your benefits. Instead, you can claim help through Universal Credit, which may cover up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs. Summer doesn't have to break the bank. From free meals and clubs to discounted trips and help with childcare, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the holidays without spending a fortune. 2