Port of Dover queueing system in place over Easter
A traffic system for lorries queueing on the M20 to cross the English Channel will be put in place over the Easter holiday.Operation Brock sees lorries heading to Dover queue on one side of the M20, while the other carriageway is split for other traffic to use in both directions.The system comes into force on 3 April and is a response to an expected increase in tourists crossing the channel before and over Easter.The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF), the group of local authorities responsible for implementing Operation Block, said traffic levels will be monitored and the system removed once the risk of serious delays has passed.
The system will be installed between junctions eight and nine on the M20 to act as a "pressure valve" to minimise congestion in the surrounding areas.Simon Jones, strategic lead for border disruption at the KMRF, said: "If Operation Brock is not in use and there are delays at the Port of Dover, this has a knock-on effect on the surrounding roads – causing unjustified disruption to local communities."We will do everything we can to enable people to get where they want to be as safely and as quickly as possible."Until more permanent solutions are found to tackle disruption on Kent's roads, Operation Brock is the only tool we have to keep traffic moving through the county."The installation of the operation means freight heading to mainland Europe are also legally required to follow the signed HGV routes to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, using the M20 and A20.The KMRF said drivers should ensure they have packed essential items, including food, water and regular medication, in case they face delays during busy periods.
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Press and Journal
13 hours ago
- Press and Journal
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Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
The six locations in North Wales rumoured for House of the Dragon filming
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Six film location sites in northwest Wales are said to have been earmarked for season three of HBO's House of The Dragon (HoTD). Some were used in summer 2023, others are new. Three large sets are already taking shape at Dinorwig Quarry near Llanberis, which in season two served as an HoTD backdrop for Harrenhal Castle, the largest fortification in Westeros. Props assembled so far suggest the aftermath of a visit by a fire-breathing dragon to the Harrenhal battle camp in the Riverlands. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has hinted of more filming at Traeth Llanddwyn and Newborough Forest in southwest Anglesey, where some trees are being felled. According to a source close to the production team, film crews will also be returning to Penmon in south west Anglesey. Other locations are in Eryri (Snowdonia), including Cwm Idwal and its iconic lake in the Ogwen Valley, Gwynedd. Two sites near Capel Curig, Conwy, have also been scouted. A seventh site, in Nant Peris at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), will reportedly be used as the production team's base. Northwest Wales was one of the main stars of season two, when eight locations were used. Half of these were on Anglesey, including Beaumaris and Porth-y-Cŵch. Llanddwyn Beach, near Newborough village, saw a good deal of filming and is said to have provided the backdrop for parts of Dragonstone. In a social media post NRW said an un-named TV production company was back on site this week. They were undertaking 'small scale preparation works' at the Twyni Penrhos area of Newborough Forest. This involved removing a 'small number of unsafe trees', along with rough vegetation and tree stumps. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (Image: Paula Hanks-Jones) NRW said: 'All work will be undertaken under close supervision of ecologists. The area will be restored to dune grassland and native scrub which will benefit wildlife and the local environment and provide accommodation space for filming equipment. "There will be no disruption to visitors.' At present it's unclear if HoTD will be returning to Trefor Quarry on the Gwynedd coast, which was transformed into Dragonstone Castle for season two. Other sites featured in the second series included the Ogwen Valley and around Penmachno Roman Bridge, near Betws-y-Coed. (Image: HBO) A source claimed the Nant Peris site above Llanberis will be the gathering point for actors and extras. 'A large marquee is to be erected and the actors will be ferried to the various sites in minibuses and 4x4s,' they added. Production, location and safety crews are to be staying in Caernarfon and Bangor. Locals have reported seeing HoTD teams picking up visitor litter from Dinorwic Quarry and placing bins to ensure it's spotless when vacated. Season three is expected to be released in late 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox See what's on in your area
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions
Plus, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller's plans HOLIDAY HOLT Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions "HUNDREDS and hundreds" of Brits are stuck in Majorca Palma airport after a number of flight cancellations due to 'air traffic control restrictions'. A number of British families are unable to get home from their half-term holidays in Majorca with easyJet and other airlines after restrictions were imposed due to poor weather in Europe, which were "outside [of the airline's] control". 4 A number of Brits have been stranded at Majorca Airport Credit: SWNS This comes days after Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary complained of "shoddy ATC services" which he warned would cause record flight delays in summer 2025. Beth Rafferty, 31, and her family are four of hundreds of Brits who were unable to fly back to Gatwick on June 1. Beth, from Hastings, East Sussex, was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, eight and 10. She says more than 120 flights were delayed and it is understood less than 10 were cancelled. They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due 'air traffic control (ATC) restrictions'. However it has since been confirmed that the 'restrictions' are as a result of poor weather across Northern Europe. The family were told: "We're sorry that your flight has been cancelled. "This is due to air traffic control restrictions (...). "The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance." Beth added that loads of families were stuck in the airport - and they had to book emergency accommodation at a hotel last night. 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine The family were also unable to get an alternative easyJet flight quickly. They have now paid £1,500 to to fly home by Jet2 so that their children don't miss any more school time. Beth, an insurance system administrator, added: "We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth - but not to our original destination. "Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we've been fortunate. "Apparently there was an air traffic control issue. As far as I'm aware, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet. "The only information provided is the air traffic control issue. "We've been sat watching loads of other flights from other airlines land and take off, so we're not sure why." 4 Reportedly, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet Credit: SWNS According to Beth, around six other easyJet flights due to return to the UK in the same 7pm timeslot as them were also all cancelled. She said: "We've been told by someone at the airport front desk we won't be compensated for the new flights. "But we might get the money back for the accommodation. "I rang the children's' school to explain it and it doesn't look like we'll get a fine." The family are flew home lunchtime on Monday, so the children can be back at school tomorrow. 4 easyJet have blamed the issues on widespread thunderstorms Credit: SWNS An easyJet spokesperson commented: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused." Yesterday, Ryanair's CEO shared that he expects delays to get worse this summer. Plus, in April, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller's plans.
