Brit teen ‘cannabis smuggler' Bella Culley, 18, arrested in Georgia is great-granddaughter of late Labour grandee
A BRIT teen held in Georgia accused of smuggling 30lb of marijuana is the great-granddaughter of a Labour MP who was caught up in the parliamentary expenses scandal.
Bella May Culley faces life in prison in a
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Bella May Culley, 18, faces being caged in an overcrowded ex-Soviet jail after being arrested on drug smuggling charges
Credit: @bellamay.xx / tiktok
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She was arrested at Tbilisi airport on suspicion of drug smuggling
Credit: East2West
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Labour MP Frank Cook, who represented the Stockton North constituency until 2010
Credit: PA:Press Association
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The 18-year-old appeared in court earlier this week, where she said was
But the nursing student from County Durham is the great-granddaughter of ex-Stockton North Labour MP Frank Cook, who passed away in 2012, the MailOnline has reported.
Culley is reported to regularly post pictures with her "special lady" grandmother - who is the late MP's daughter.
In one post wishing her happy birthday, she says she loves her "unconditionally" before calling her "one of the most important ladies in my life".
Cook, who represented Stockton North for 27 years, was among the MPs implicated in the 2009 expenses row that rocked Westminster to its core.
It transpired he had claimed for £153,902, which included a £5 donation made by an aide representing him at a memorial service.
However, he would later explain this donation was an IOU from the member of staff who went to the service on his behalf - and that he expensed it by mistake.
"It was a genuine mistake and I stress again: I would never deliberately make a claim of this kind," he said.
Most read in The Sun
He would later lose a libel case against The Sunday Telegraph following the revelations.
Cook stood as an independent candidate in his constituency at the 2010 general election after being deselected by Labour, but he failed to retain the seat.
He died in 2012 at the age of
76 - a year after being diagnosed with lung
cancer.
Culley was arrested after she was allegedly caught trying to sneak 34 bags of marijuana in her luggage through the Georgian capital's main airport.
She had been reported missing in Thailand - where
Her family had raised the alarm after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday - despite usually being a prolific texter.
Her dad Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam, has reportedly flown to the Eastern European nation to be by his daughter's side.
A loved-one said: "She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand.
"She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her."
Authorities in
Georgia
claim she tried to stash 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage which was detected at the airport.
RIOTS, HUNGER STRIKES AND STRIP SEARCHES... LIFE IN A BRUTAL GEORGIA PRISON
A report by Georgia's ombudsman into Women's Penitentiary No. 5 outlines the horrors that could await the Brit teenager.
"When prisoners are received at the No.5 Facility,
they are inspected naked and are requested to squat, which the inmates consider degrading treatment," the report reads.
"According to inmates, this procedure is especially humiliating and intensive during an inmate's menstrual cycle."
Hygiene problems are said to be rampant, with reports of no running drinking water and clogged drains.
Just earlier this year, the journalist Mzia Amaglobeli went on hunger strike inside the women's prison in protest against Georgia's government.
In 2006, a Tbilisi prison saw seven inmates killed and 17 seriously injured in one of the country's worst ever prison riots.
Authorities were accused of using excessive force.
A Human Rights Watch report has found Georgia's prisons are "severely overcrowded" - which threatens the safety of inmates.
Georgia's Interior Ministry says she could face 20 years or even a life sentence in an overcrowded Women's Penitentiary No. 5 in Rustavi
The country has been blasted for its treatment of its prisoners by rights groups.
Culley's paternal grandfather said: "I'm terrified that she's in for a long sentence. I might never see her again - I'm 80 years old.
"She's got sucked into something, somehow. She's not an international drug trafficker.
Read more on the Irish Sun
"It's all just very strange and at the moment we just don't have any answers. We don't know what to think."
Bella's lawyer said after her court appearance: "My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed."
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Bella appears in court in Georgia earlier this week
Credit: East2West
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Labour MP Frank Cook
Credit: Alamy
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Drug mule' Charlotte May Lee's lawyer fears Brit will be in jail for MONTHS before any chance of bail over £1.2m haul
ACCUSED drug smuggler Charlotte May Lee could be left to languish in a hellhole months before being given bail, her lawyer said. The Brit, 21, was arrested last month after Sri Lankan authorities Advertisement 5 Charlotte May Lee, 21, was arrested in May Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Sri Lankan cops released a photo of the seized bags of drugs Charlotte was allegedly caught with Credit: Sri Lanka Police 5 Former flight attendant At a court hearing on Friday, her lawyer Sampath Parera said no progress has been made in releasing part-time beautician Charlotte on bail. He told The Sun: "It is taking time because it is the highest amount of cannabis seized at the airport and I am speculating that investigating agencies are taking time to investigate. Charlotte has now appeared in court three times since her arrest on May 12 after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug Kush as she landed at Bandaranaike airport from Bangkok. Advertisement More world news Senior counsel Mr Parera said her bail is likely going to take time as the drugs seized at the airport are yet to be examined He has demanded the examination of the alleged drug by the relevant government authorities to determine whether the materials were in fact an illegal substance. The lawyer added: "I made an application on the very first day when she was produced at the court to produce those alleged cannabis to the government analysis department, or the authorities to get a report. "It's pending, so they have to come up with the report. We still don't know the exact weight of this and we still don't know that actually there is cannabis. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "It has to be confirmed by a report or the expert analysis otherwise, you can't just say that there is cannabis without testing. "We are just waiting for reports and documents... it will take about one month, or one and a half months." Brit 'drug mule' Charlotte May Lee pictured in new mugshot along with huge £1.2m drug haul 'This is not a single case in Sri Lanka. There are lots of cases where all the drugs are being produced to the government department to get reports so there would be a small delay with regard to the report." Mr Parera has claimed that the drugs were planted on Charlotte, who was Advertisement She had earlier complained of discomfort given the "alien environment--different food and language" but Mr Parera said that she has been 'showing remarkable composure'. He added: "Charlotte is coping as best as she can under the circumstances. "Being in custody in a foreign country is undoubtedly difficult, but she has shown remarkable composure. She has accommodated that situation and she talks, she laughs. "She is receiving food and basic facilities as per local standards. Advertisement "While the environment is naturally different from what she's used to, there are no immediate concerns regarding her treatment. " We are in regular contact with the authorities to ensure her wellbeing is safeguarded." 5 Charlotte faces a long stay behind bars before she is sentenced Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The former flight attendant being led into court last month Credit: BBC Breakfast Advertisement The island nation in the Indian Ocean has one of the strictest anti-drug laws that criminalises not only trafficking but even small possession of drugs. It has long been considered a transit point for international drug smugglers to be reshipped onward. Drug trafficking can land those convicted with a life imprisonment sentence - or even the death penalty in Sri Lanka, although no executions have been carried out since 1976. More than 162,000 people were arrested in 2023 for possession of methamphetamine, according to the country's National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. Advertisement At least a dozen foreign nationals are in jail over charges of drug possession or drug trafficking. Nine Iranians were given life imprisonment in a drug smuggling case in 2023. Mr Parera said that Charlotte's case became different due to the size of the drug haul. Kush is a potent strain of marijuana cut with synthetic and dangerous additives including acetone, formalin, and tramadol. It was first seen in Sierra Leone in 2022. Advertisement If found guilty, She could result in her serving a 20 to 25-year sentence in Sri Lanka's maximum-security Welikada Prison. Mr Parera added: "There are other foreigners in the prison custody. Some have brought 13 kilos, others have brought various quantities of the same drug. Other Brit 'smuggler' Bella by Nick Parker, Foreign Editor VULNERABLE drug charge teen Bella Culley is "not far from childhood", her new lawyer said after visiting her in a grim Georgian jail. Bella's family-appointed lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, said the 18-year-old Brit did not even know where she was and had to have her location explained to her. Mr Salakaia said Bella was in "good health" but he would not describe her as an adult, adding that she was "not far from childhood." Bella was arrested on May 11 in capital Tbilisi's airport with a suitcase packed with 31lb of cannabis and hashish after flying from Thailand via Sharjah in the UAE. She faces 15 years to life in jail in the eastern European former Soviet state. She is being held in watchtower-ringed Penitentiary No 5 near Tbilisi while prosecutors probe how she came to have the £200,000 stash and who she planned to hand it to. The teenager had been away in the Far East for weeks and boasted of a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle and posted pictures with wads of cash and smoking spliffs. Her family have now dropped local legal aid lawyer Ia Todua in favour of Mr Salakaia who does not speak English and is understood to have been recommended by British Embassy staff. He specialises in juvenile law and is expected to argue that vulnerable Bella - who announced she is pregnant in court - is a victim who was manipulated by ruthless traffickers. "This case is having extra attention from all over the world media and in the media in Sri Lanka because it is considered to be the biggest amount of cannabis which was brought to Sri Lanka and arrested in the airport." He insisted that Charlotte was innocent and he was trying to get her justice. Advertisement 'A person is presumed to be innocent until he or she is proven guilty," Mr Parera said. "She is just a suspect at the moment. She needs to get justice. We are assisting her to get justice, and we are assisting the court too. I'm doing my level best for my client. 'She's denying the charges. She doesn't know what happened there. She remains hopeful that the truth will emerge and that justice will be served in due course.' Comparisons have been drawn between Charlotte's case and Advertisement She is also being detained under smuggling charges. Although the two have never met, both young women were in Bangkok's airport alone before their arrests, and both were allegedly found with large quantities of cannabis in their bags. She was found with 13kg of marijuana. Both women also reportedly told friends and family back home that they were meeting a man in Thailand. Advertisement Mr Parera added: "While there have been media reports of foreign nationals — including Britons — being caught up in drug-related cases, we strongly believe each case must be approached independently and with factual clarity. "It would not be fair to cast broad assumptions about the local legal system. Our focus remains on ensuring a fair and transparent process for Charlotte."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of UK drivers face huge speed limit change under new road rules – is your route affected?
THOUSANDS of UK drivers will face a huge speed limit change under new road rules - is your route affected? The Welsh Government announced plans to lower the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, in 2023. 1 Welsh councils can revert to a 30mph speed limit Credit: Getty The decision sparked major public backlash, with hundreds of thousands of locals signing petitions calling for the rule to be scrapped. It appears residents were heard, as the Government later confirmed that councils could opt out by restoring some roads to the original 30mph limit the following year. This prompted fresh discussions, as local authorities began working with drivers to decide which roads should return to the higher speed limit. Some areas have since reverted to the 30mph limit, while others are still in the process of making the change. read more on motors At the time, plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded " Motorists across Wales were still getting used to the 20mph speed limits on restricted roads as the Government worked with local authorities to make necessary changes. Following the heavily criticised rollout, Labour announced it would look to amend the policy so it was more focused on roads that actually need it - instead of it being a blanket measure. To that end, the standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour. Most read in Motors This was changed to four miles per hour for the new 20mph roads, as requested by GoSafe, who called on chief police officers to be more lenient on drivers as they adjust to the nationwide proposal. This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph in the 20mph zone, they will not be fined. Major Speed Limit Changes on Scottish Roads However, a penalty charge notice could be issued if they're caught at 26mph. But reports now suggest changes could be introduced to amend this threshold and could see drivers fined if they're travelling at 24mph. According to Wales Online, chief police officers were set to review the policy in March. The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, said: "Dropping this threshold would be utter madness. "The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds. "Labour's failed 20mph experiment should be dropped." In 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales. In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country. Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at 32.7mph in May. Throughout 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services delivered a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes. A spokesperson for GoSafe said: "While the public get used to the change in default limit, chief police officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit. "This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit. "The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources." The roads that are in contention for changes Anglesey These roads have been proposed to change to 30mph. Amlwch A5025 Amlwch, Lon Parys to Ffordd Madyn Benllech, A5025 Bodffordd, A5 approach Bryn Du, unnamed Class 3 road Bull Bay, A5025 Caergeiliog, A5 Bryngwran approach Gaerwen, Lon Groes - industrial estate road Holyhead A5153, Parc Cybi Holyhead A5154, Victoria Road Llanddaniel, A5 approach Llanddaniel, Llanedwen approach Llanddaniel, level crossing approach Llandegfan, Ffordd yr Eglwys Llanfachraeth, A5025 Llanfaes, unmamed Class 3 road from the B5109 Llanfair PG A5025 near park and ride facility Llanfihangel yn Nhowyn, RAF Valley, Minffordd Road Llangefni, Industrial Estate Road Newborough, A4080 Malltraeth approach Pentraeth, B5109 Beaumaris approach Rhosmeirch, B5111 Coedana approach Rhosneigr, A4080 Llyn Maelog approach Talwrn, Old school road (Due to Closed School) Trearddur Bay, B4545 Lon St Ffraid East Blaenau Gwent A section of the A467, Aberbeeg Road, will revert to its former speed limit of 40mph. All other roads currently set at 20mph should remain. Caerphilly It has been reported that dozens of roads in the county are being considered to be reverted back to 30mph from 20mph but no further details are available. Cardiff Four roads in will be reverted back to 30mph Newport Road: All of Western Avenue:A section of Western Avenue west of the Taff River Bridge up to the junction with Cardiff and Llandaff Road. The council decided there are enough pedestrian crossings and significant separation between carriageways and footways to allow a return to 30mph. Ocean Way:From Beignon Close to Rover Way. As the area is mainly non-residential and carries a lot of traffic to the Link Road the speed limit will change. Hadfield Road:The section between the junction with Leckwith Road and Carmarthenshire The following A and B Class roads are proposed to return to 30mph, subject to consultation and the Traffic Regulation Order process: A484 Cwmdwyfran (in full) A484 Pentre-Morgan (in full) A484 Pentrecagal (in full) B4297 Heol Y Bwlch, Bynea (in part - for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi) B4333 Hermon (in part – on southern approach to the village only) B4312 Llangain (in part – on both approaches to the village) B4312 Moument Hill, Carmarthen (in full) B4308 Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly (in part – on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m) B4556 New Link Road, Penygroes (in full) B4306 Heol Y Parc, Hendy (in part - from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr) B4337 Llanybydder (in part) - for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr Ceredigion There will be no proposed changes to any existing speed limits. Conwy Conwy Council has drawn up a list of priority roads that will be assessed. A final decision has yet to be made on the following roads. B5115: B5115 from Brompton Avenue, Bae Colwyn (Colwyn Bay) through Llandudno Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay) B5115 Colwyn Road, Llandudno to Conway Road, Llanrhos Bryn Lupus Road, Llanrhos Rhos Promenade and Marine Drive, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos (Rhos on Sea) Glan y Mor Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay) B5106: B5106 from Gyffin through Tal y Bont B5106 Dolgarrog to Trefriw A547: A547 Llanddulas Road, Abergele A547 Abergele Road, from Wynnstay Road to the 40mph east of Highlands Road, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn) A547 Conwy bridge A548: Foryd Road and Towyn Road, Tywyn (Towyn) and Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay) B5383: Rotary Way, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn) St Asaph Avenue, Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay) B5113: Kings Drive to Llanrwst Road, Bryn y Maen B5279 Tyn y Groes Road Meirion Drive, Conwy B4406 Penmachno to A5 Conway Old Road to Bwlch Sychnant (Sychnant Pass) Maesdu Avenue, Deganwy Denbighshire The council has announced it has no plans to increase the speed limit on any of its 20mph roads Flintshire The council has said that it will begin the process of reverting some roads back to 30mph in July. It said more than 1,000 requests had been received and all had been assessed. These are the roads which have been nominated to have their speed limit changed. Final decisions on them are yet to be confirmed: A5026 from Lloc to A5151 A5026 Holway Road/Fron Park Road/Halkyn Road, Holywell A5104 Chester Road to High Street, Saltney A5104 Main Road, Broughton A5104 Mold Road, Broughton A5104 Pontybodkin to Coed Talon A5119 Flint, Northop Road A5119 King Street A5119 King Street to Leadmills A5119 New Brighton A5119 Northop Road, Northop A5119 Ruthin Road, Mold A541 Caergwrle A541 Cefn y Bedd A541 Denbigh Road, Mold A541 Hendre A541 Pontblyddyn B5441 Welsh Road, Deeside A548 Bagillt Road A548 Mostyn Road A548 Oakenholt to Flint A548 Weighbridge Road, Deeside A549 Dobshill to Penrhwylfa Roundabout A550 Gladstone Way, Hawarden A550 Hawarden Road, Caegwrle A5119 Aber Road, Flint Alltami Road, Buckley Aston Hall Lane Aston Road B5121 Brynford Road B5121 Greenfield to Holywell B5125 Glynne Way B5125 Hawarden B5129 Kelsterton Road B5129 Sandycroft B5129 Shotton B5444 Wrexham Road, Mold Bagillt High Street Bannel Lane, Buckley Brunswick Road Bryn Lane, New Brighton Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa Bryn-y-Baal Road to Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa Burntwood Road to Wood Lane Carmel Road Chambers Lane B5128 Church Road, Buckley B5129 Connah's Quay High Street Deeside Industrial Park Drury Lane Drury New Road Dock Road, Greenfield Evans Way, Shotton Ewloe Interchange Factory Road, Sandycroft Fagl lane Ffordd Llanarth Ffordd Nercwys Ffordd Pentre Bach Gas Lane, Mold Globe Way, Buckley Green Lane East Greenfield Street to Greenfield Road Gwernaffield Road Hall Lane Kelsterton Lane, Connah's Quay Jubilee Road Level Road B5127 Liverpool Road, Buckley Llinegar Hill, Penyffordd Lower Aston Hall lane Maes Gwern, Mold B5126 Mold Road, Connah's Quay Manor Lane Industrial Estate Martins Hill Megs Lane Monastery Road Moor lane Mount Pleasant Road Nant Mawr Road, Buckley New Road, Drury Oakfield Road Padeswood Road South, Buckley Pen-Y-Maes Road Pinfold Lane, Buckley Plough Interchange Precinct Way, Buckley Queensferry roundabout Queen's Lane, Mold Raikes Lane Rhes-y-Cae River Lane, Saltney Sandy Lane, Saltney Spence Industrial Estate St Davids Park Shotton, Woodland Street The Willow Tinkersdale, Hawarden Vounog Hill to Wrexham Road, Penyffordd Wepre Lane to Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay Whitefarm Road, Buckley Wood Lane to St David's Park, Ewloe Woodlands Road, Mold Merthyr The council received comments on the following 20 roads, however a review will take place to decide whether they will be reverted back to 30mph. Pant Industrial Estate Pant Road to Pontsticill A4054 - Cardiff Road Treharris/Quakers Yard Aberfan to Troedyrhiw A4054 - Plymouth Street A4054 – Old Hoovers factory to petrol station A4054 - Caedraw roundabout to road bridge College Boulevard - Merthyr College/gyratory to Vauxhall garage A4054 - Caedraw roundabout to Vauxhall Garage roundabout Bethesda Street Brecon road - St Marys Church to Cyfarthfa Arms Cyfarthfa road - Pandy Clock to Mormon Church Top of Galon Uchaf roundabout to 10th Avenue Penydarren roundabout to Pontmorlais Top section of Swansea Road Aberdare Road Winchfawr A4054 - Upper Cefn High Street A4054 – Full length of Cefn High Street Whole of A4054 to revert back except outside schools Monmouthshire Council has decided it is not reverting any roads from the current 20mph speed limit. Neath Port Talbot Council The council has said it has received 93 comments about streets or roads following a consultation after the revised It said it was reviewing all the comments and assessing them against the guidance. Newport In March, 2025, the council stated its intention to change the speed limit for the following 16 streets in Caerphilly Road (part – extend existing 30mph from the property 'Brambles' up to Garth Terrace) Bassaleg Road (part – Pye Corner up to 130 Bassaleg Road) Bettws Lane (part – from Malpas Road to Newport High School) Duffryn Drive Duffryn Way Frederick Street George Street Lighthouse Road (part - between Morgan Way to a point prior to controlled crossing near Duffryn Way) Morgan Way Royal Oak Hill (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with Chepstow Road) Tredegar House Drive Tregwilym Road (part – Western Valley Road to Chartist Drive) Usk Road (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with The Hawthorns) Wern Industrial Estate West Nash Road (part – from junction with Nash Road to point near St Mary's Close) Wharf Road Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire Council has asked for the public's views on any changes that should be made in its area. Powys It has been reported that the council has been consulting on possible changes and that the results of this will be presented in due course to cabinet. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council The council has been looking into 313 requests to change roads back from their current 20mph limit. But no decisions have so far been taken on any changes. Swansea There are 17 roads in Swansea that could potentially see their limits increased from 20mph to 30mph. A48 – From Penllergaer to Pontlliw -From a point 60 metres south of Parc Penderi in Penllergaer to a point 60 metres south of Oaklands Road in Pontlliw. B4295 – The Promenade, Penclawdd -From the current 30mph limit at a point 45 metres southwest of its junction with Graig-y-Coed west to its junction with Hall Lane. B4296 – Pentre Road (Pontardulais) -From the current 30mph limit at a point 360 metres south of its junction with Park Terrace to a point 130 metres south of this junction. B4296 – Pentre Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit at a point 50 metres north of its junction with Clos Brynlliw, Grovesend south to a point 10 metres north of Clos Pengelli. B4296 Coalbrook Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit 420 metres north of its junction with Frampton Road northwards for a distance of 100 metres. B4436 Mayals Road -From its junction with Mumbles Road west to the 40mph limit at a point 100 metres west of its junction with Curlew Close. B4620 Swansea Road/ Carmarthen Road (Llewitha) -From the existing 40mph limit on B4603 Clydach Road -From a point 30 metres north of its junction with Field Close north to a point 50 metres south of its junction with Lanllienwen Road. From its junction with the northern kerbline of the junction 45 roundabout of Carmel Road - From a point 40 metres east of Colwyn Avenue to a point 50 metres west of Crymlyn Road. Brynmill Lane - From its junction with Sketty Road southeast to its junction with Park Place. Gors Avenue -From a point 10 metres west of its junction with Townhill Road to its junction with Carmarthen Road. Townhill Road -From its junction with Gors Avenue to a point 10 metres west of its junction with Mayhill Road. Heol Ddu -From a point 20 metres west of its junction with Llangyfelach Road west to the existing 40mph limit 20 metres southwest of its junction with Roger Street. Heol y Cwmdu -From its junction with Carmarthen Road to a point 10 metres west of the access road to Parc Cwmdu. Mynydd Newydd Road -From the existing 40mph limit 50 metres south of its junction with Penplas Road to a point 20 metres north of its junction with Broughton Avenue. Pant Lasau Road - From the existing 40mph speed limit 113 metres southwest of the southern boundarybof the property known as Brynsirol northeast to a point 60 metres southwest of its junction with Heol Maes Eglwys. Pentregethin Road -From its junction with Pontarddulais Road east then southeast to a point 10 metres southeast of Woodford Road. Torfaen Consultations have taken place regarding the following roads to be revised, this is set to be completed by the end of spring, 2025. Newport Road, Cwmbran (part) Estate Road, Blaenavon (including Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate) The A4043 north from Pontypool towards Abersychan (part) New Road, between Griffithstown and New Inn (part) Usk Road, New Inn (part) Riverside, Pontypool Turnpike Road, Llanyravon (part) B4236 Caerleon Road (part) - 40mph section Vale of Glamorgan The speed limit on 83 roads could change in the Vale of Glamorgan but a list of which roads are being considered has not been shared. Wrexham These are the roads set for reversion to 30mph: B5445 Marford Hill, Marford B5445 Chester Road, Gresford A5152 Chester Road, Acton (A483 – Garden Village) A5152 Chester Road, Acton (Garden Village – City) Ty Gwyn Lane, Acton B5100 Rhosnesni Lane, Acton Jeffreys Road, Borras A534 Holt Road, Wrexham (Hullah Lane to Greyhound) A534 Holt Road, Borras (Greyhound to Link Road) A525 Ruthin Road, Wrexham A541 Mold Road, Gwersyllt A525 Kingsmills Road, Hightown Kingsmills Loop (Old A525) Abenbury Road, Abenbury Cefn Road, Abenbury A525 Marchwiel Road/Bangor Road, Marchwiel A528 Overton Road, Marchwiel A525 Bangor Road, Cross Lanes B5130 Holt Road/Kiln Lane, Cross Lanes B5425 New Road/ Main Road/ Llay New Road, Rhosrobin Plas Acton Road, Pandy B5425 Llay New Road, Llay B5102 Straight Mile/ Croeshowell Hill, Llay Gegin Lane, Llay Higher Lane, Llay Chapel Lane, Llay Phoenix Drive, Brymbo New High Street, Brymbo Railway Road, Brymbo B5101, The Lodge B5426 Wern Road, Minera B5426 Minera Hall Road, Minera B5426, The Wern B5605 Park Road/Newbridge Road, Rhosymedre A539 Llangollen Road, Trevor A539 Llangollen Road, Acrefair B5070, Chirk B5070, Chirk (buffer) B5605 Wrexham Road, Johnstown B5605 Ruabon Road, Johnstown Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Johnstown B5605 Ruabon Road, Ruabon B5605 New High Street, Ruabon B5605 Bridge Street, Ruabon A539/B5605 Ruabon Roundabout B5097 Plas Bennion to Tatham Road Plas Bennion Road/ Copperas Hill Plas Bennion Road (buffer) Credit:
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
I visited hotspot where two tourists died – what I saw on 7am run horrified me
I recently returned from a family getaway in the stunning coastal resort of Albufeira – and it lived up to expectation. The beaches were sandy, the weather was (mostly) glorious and the scenery was spectacular. However, despite having a memorable break and making it back safely, this was not the case for everyone. While I was there, two British tourists tragically lost their lives in a place some now consider just to be a nocturnal party town. Greg Monks, 38, from Glasgow, was found in a ravine in Albufeira. He was on a stag do when he left a party early before reportedly encountering trouble when jumping a wall on his way back to his hotel, reports The Mirror. A 21-year-old man was later found at the foot of a set of steps in Albufeira's picturesque old town in what is believed to have been a drunken fall. The deaths brought the popular Algarve resort into the spotlight, with some publications subsequently reporting on the 'darker' side of Albufeira that has supposedly become a "boozy bolthole" for wild behaviour. And while my time there passed pleasantly with my partner, Ciara, and our daughter, one observation of anti-social behaviour did stay with me. Having a toddler, early starts are inescapable, and during some sunrises, I went for runs throughout Albufeira. During one exercise excursion, I reached the mile-long neon-lit "strip", which has reportedly been nicknamed 'The Chaos' by locals. I had already been there during the day time. While the atmosphere was raucous even then, it was relatively harmless, with people simply out having a good time, while clearly consuming lots and lots of booze. But being there at 7am, it was an entirely different story. The street was completely covered in litter. It looked like a dumping ground. In a street full of late night bars and clubs filled with tourists thirsty for fun, I didn't expect it to be spotless. But the sheer amount of rubbish scattered absolutely everywhere, including bottles, glasses and takeaway food, was excessive. Some party folk were still staggering around having not yet been to bed, and while busy binmen loaded litter into a truck or deployed leafblowers to gather rubbish, one tourist was throwing up on the street. It was a miserable-looking scene, with my eyes being drawn to one old lady who was carefully trying to navigate the cobbles without tripping up. Another man, clearly incredibly drunk, was attempting to walk forward, but his body was inadvertently moving backwards instead. The sight to behold reminded me of a conversation I once had with Michelle Baker, a Brit who has lived in Benidorm for 40 years, for a story. Speaking about walking along the famous party strip in the Spanish holiday hotspot for an early-morning stroll, she told me: "It really is a no man's land and I try to avoid that street like the plague. The bins have fallen and they probably have been sick in the bins as well, it is just a nasty nasty street. "In some parts of the strip the smell of vomit is quite offensive in the morning." Seeing the strip in the Algarve during an early-morning run reminded me of her words, and it also made me think of the comparison with Benidorm. Some locals now believe Benidorm authorities tackling drunk behaviour has led to party-hungry tourists seeking other destinations instead, like the Algarve. Paul Surphlis, a Brit from Newcastle who has a business by the strip, told The Sun: "Since Spain cracked down on tourism and said they did not want Brits there, Albufeira is now getting that Benidorm crowd. They want to behave as outrageously as they did in Spain, but it won't be tolerated here." Another local told YouTuber Wendall that Albufeira was gaining a worse reputation than Benidorm because it attracted a younger crowd with less discipline. Drug use and public nudity is reportedly on the rise in the Portuguese family favourite destination too. Wendall himself summarised in his YouTube video: "I thought it would be a relaxing few days in the sun but this ain't my type of holiday... this is my idea of holiday hell." But he added: "If you want to let your hair down and go wild, like Brits abroad, then this is the place." From my own experience, I didn't necessarily agree with Wendall, especially because Albufeira had much to offer for families (boat trips and dolphin-watching being some examples) – far removed from the boozy shenanigans of youngsters. However, despite my opinions, one British tourist, Doreen Burywood, told the Daily Mail: "We used to go every year, loved the place, but stopped when the hen and stag parties started arriving - such a shame." Towards the end of my holiday, I found myself on another run, and once again I encountered the strip early one morning. This time, the scene was even filthier, with the hard-working binmen having not yet had a chance to reach all the junk. And while I'm sure most of the revellers had a good time in the early hours, I did feel sympathy for the workers who had to once again clean up their mess. Despite this, there have been crackdowns by Albufeira City Council to combat anti-social behaviour by rowdy tourists. This includes a stricter dress code where bikinis and swimsuits on city streets are forbidden with rulebreakers facing fines of €1,800 - if the legislation is passed at the end of this month. Spitting, vomiting or urinating in the street could also result in fines of up to €740. The Mirror reached out to Albufeira City Council regarding claims made in this story.
