
La Grande Route de la Cote to partially close for six weeks
A number of temporary one-way systems will be in place - the government said not observing the traffic signs could lead to "a fine of up to £1,000".Work should conclude by Friday 29 August, it said.
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Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Huge boost for 'declining' UK seaside town as abandoned pier to get £13m refurb
Following years of outrage from locals and tourists a like, it seems one seaside town is finally ready to bring its abandoned pier back to life, thanks to a £13 million pot of funding A 164-year-old pier defining one of the UK's most popular seaside towns could be brought back to life by next year thanks to a hefty investment. Stretching out a staggering 3,600 ft (around 0.68 miles), Southport Pier is the second longest in the UK - and first opened back in 1860. For decades, it attracted swathes of tourists who walk around 10 minutes to reach the end of the pier and soak up the stunning sea-views, as well as to make use of the indoor cafe and small arcade. Visitors could also take the miniature railway, which whizzed Brits over to the end of the pier for just a couple of quid. But in 2022, the Victorian structure was closed due to safety fears, with necessary repairs estimated to cost a whopping £13 million. The three-year closure has sparked outrage amongst locals and tourists alike - with many arguing the abandoned site is the perfect omen for the 'declining' seaside town. In fact, one 'embarrassed' Brit dubbed Southport 'a very sad neglected town for tourists and residents' on TripAdvisor back in 2023. Another agreed, scathing: "It's time the council got this beautiful historical pier sorted and opened again! This is one of Southports main attractions and they cant afford to have the renovation. A real shame," while a third penned: "I still can't believe that Southport has been allowed to decline even further, the council do not seem to be bothered." Still, Visit Southport, the area's official tourist board, hailed the destination as being a 'fun-loving' seaside resort with 'attractions for all the family'. "[There's] an abundance of independent restaurants and bars making it a foodies' haven, and full of culture," it wrote. "When it comes to beaches, you're spoiled for choice. We have 22 miles of coastline from Formby Beach, Ainsdale Beach, Crosby Beach (where you can visit the famous Antony Gormley 'Another Place'), and Southport Beach itself. You can enjoy some of the most stunning views along our coast." However, last month Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the pier would be eligible for cash from a new fund dedicated to speeding up 'forgotten' local projects. Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson said the authority would be ready to start work on the pier 'within six to eight weeks' of receiving the government funding. "We're absolutely wanting to get on with it," she said. The councillor stated that repairs would take between 12 to 14 months, adding: "We'll be looking at ways in which, if we can, to get it done as quickly as we possibly can. But, it does take a lot of time because there's a lot of work." When approached for comment, Sefton Council directed the Mirror to the Southport Pier's FAQ page. Here, the council explains that the pier endured a UK-wide extreme cold weather snap at the end of 2022 which caused 'further damage' to its structural condition. "Following an inspection by a team of independent Structural Engineers, Sefton Council was told to close the pier to protect the safety of anyone working on it or visiting the iconic tourist attraction," the council said. "A full and extensive independent structural survey was commissioned, the interim feedback from which has confirmed the need to keep the Pier closed until further extensive repair and replacement works are carried out. The final surveys state the same explicitly, and the Pier would no longer be insurable so had to be shut." Sefton Council says it has since engaged in several conversations with regards to external funding having already completed phase one of the decking replacement. The council also agreed to allocate £3 million to the Pier project. "Sefton Council has also made several appointments in order to specify the works that will be required to refurbish the Pier and we are preparing for appointing a contractor for the works, again reaffirming Sefton's commitment to the project," the authority added.


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert issues warning over simple passport mistakes that will stop you from flying
Holidaymakers jetting off this summer should be aware of some simple issues with their passports that could prevent them from flying. When going on a trip, tourists often have to juggle many different things including travel insurance, transfers and their luggage. But one important factor to consider is your passport – and issues with it could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK. Chris Harrington, managing director at transfer company Hoppa, shared his advice for those going away this summer. The travel expert emphasised the importance of making sure your passport isn't too damaged. He explained: 'If your passport is damaged to the extent that it impacts its ability to function or verify who you are, this can lead to it being declared invalid.' Chris advises checking the condition of your passport after booking a trip to avoid problems. He added: 'Once you have booked your holiday, ensure your passport is in good condition and it doesn't have any water damage, tears, rips, stains or any pages are missing. One important factor to consider is your passport and problems with it that could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK 'In most cases, minor wear and tear is acceptable, but for anything more severe, you will need to apply for a new passport.' Though life can become busy, it is important to ensure documents such as passports are up to date – including reflecting any changes to personal information – in order to ensure they are still accurate and valid. Chris said: 'Your passport needs to have all of your correct details on. Including name and date of birth, which means if this isn't the case, it could be invalid. 'When making your travel booking, it's important that the details you enter reflect those that are on your passport. 'For example, if you get married and you make the booking with your new surname, the passport needs to also have the same details. 'If you need to apply for a new passport due to getting married, this can be done before or after the ceremony.' Another point to look out for is the expiry date on your passport. Even if it hasn't expired, it's important to note that some countries require the passport to be valid for three months from the departure date. Chris explained: 'One of the common mistakes people make is not being aware of when a passport has expired. 'When you are going abroad, you need to make sure that your passport was issued within the last 10 years of the date you enter the country. 'It's important to remember that this is counted from the date of issue and not the expiry date. 'Alongside the 10-year rule, Brits travelling to the EU and Schengen countries also need to be aware that their passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond their departure date. 'It's also worth noting that for some destinations, there needs to be 6 months remaining on the passport, so it's important to check the regulations for the country you're travelling to.'


BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953, excluding Covid
British car and van production in the first half of this year has hit its lowest level since 1953, excluding the industry shutdown during output fell 7.3% in the six months to June while the closure of Vauhall's Luton van plant helped drive van production down 45%, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) over tariffs in the US – the UK industry's second biggest market – meant some firms slowed or stopped production in the first half of this said the US-UK tariff deal which has since come into effect could help confidence, while the government said its electric vehicle (EV) grants would "boost" the industry. The SMMT welcomed the EV grants, but it said the new system lacked clarity and had been introduced without consulting the Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the half year production figures were "depressing" but that he hoped that the first half of this year marked "the nadir" for the UK auto industry.A deal with the US to reduce tariffs from 27.5% to 10% was announced in May came into effect on 30 June, with SMMT recording a small rise in vehicle production in June. However, the SMMT does not expect to return to 2021 production levels of one million vehicles by the end of the Hawes said that the government's target of 1.3 million vehicles per year by 2035 was "quite some ambition from where we are", adding that "we clearly require at least one, if not two, new entrants to come into UK production" to hit the of electrified vehicles rose 1.8% with battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounting for a record of more than two in five of vehicles week the government confirmed it will reintroduce grants of up to £3,750 on some EVs are priced at or below £37, the SMMT welcomed the return of incentives that were abolished in 2022, there is widespread confusion about which vehicles will qualify for the eligibility and level of discount will be determined by the amount of carbon emitted in the production of the vehicle and its battery. They will only be offered to manufacturers that have verified science-based targets with thresholds the government has not yet expected that Chinese and Korean vehicles will not meet the criteria but little else is clear."The difficulty is, we don't know. Nobody knows, but nobody, not even government, really knows yet, which models and which brands will qualify," said Mr Hawes."I think the industry is still trying to get clarity behind its application. Right now your dealer cannot tell you whether the model you are considering is eligible."He said clarity was needed soon as September is the second biggest month for new car registrations.A transport department spokesperson said it expects "dozens of models to be eligible for the electric car grant, which will provide a substantial boost for the industry and save drivers thousands of pounds"."We want the discounts to become available to drivers as soon as possible, and we are engaging extensively with vehicle manufacturers and have published guidance to help them apply as easily as possible," they £650m of grant money will be awarded on a first come first served basis.