New analysis reveals rise in ‘dangerous mistakes' during summer months
Analysis of government statistics reveals an average of 262 people were killed or seriously injured annually between June and August due to driver fatigue on England 's motorways and major A roads, a 59 per cent increase compared to other months.
The agency advises planning breaks that go beyond quick stops, suggesting visits to nearby historic sites, beauty spots, or cultural landmarks, and is producing videos to highlight such locations.
A National Highways survey found that only 39 per cent of drivers would take a break due to tiredness, with 29 per cent admitting they did not factor in rest stops on their last long trip.
The warning follows a recent case where a van driver received a five-year, nine-month prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Airlines 'lack confidence' in Heathrow bosses after tunnel shutdown connecting terminals sparked huge travel chaos
Airlines reportedly 'lack confidence' in Heathrow airport bosses after a summer marred by incidents has caused travel chaos. A scathing letter written by Heathrow AOC - the body representing 90 airlines - accuses Britain's biggest airport of 'poor' management during the disruption. It also complained of crisis calls being mismanaged and of communication during incidents. Holidaymakers this month spoke of 'utter chaos' with roads leading up to Heathrow gridlocked when a 'technical fault' caused a tunnel connecting to Terminals 2 and 3 to close. Passengers were told to go to Terminal 5 and get on the Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express to reach the terminals, only for the services to be suspended due to overcrowding. Many carriers expressed their dismay about the airport's handling, reported The Times, with 'people effectively being stuck inside the CTA [Central Terminal Area] and mass congestion affecting not only passengers but airline crews too'. It was the second incident to cause delays at the airport in just one week after an IT issue with a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) centre led to more than 100 cancellations of flights across the country. The letter, seen by The Times, read: 'The view of the AOC Executive is that the management of these events has been poor, which has resulted in significant impact to carriers.' A Heathrow spokeswoman said: 'Working collaboratively with airport partners is why Heathrow is the most punctual and busiest airport in Europe, delivering record service levels in security, baggage, and safety. 'We learn from any regrettable disruption, and one of the key areas where we can unlock better, more resilient service for customers is by expanding the airport, which is why we welcome the government's strong desire to deliver the project at pace.' The tunnel shutdown chaos caused panic for travellers on one of the busiest weeks of the summer holidays. Frustrated passengers shared images of traffic filling the motorway as well as pictures of huge queues inside the airport. One penned on X: 'People running with their luggage in the roads. Shameful.' Another added: 'People running dragging cases on the motorway now. Find a solution!' Others inside the airport said 'confused, stressed' passengers have been left with no idea 'what is happening' and complained that airport staff were not helping the situation. 'Hey @HeathrowAirport - do better!! Utter chaos today. No staff helping massive amounts of confused, stressed passengers,' one user wrote. A fourth person said: 'Been at Heathrow for an hour caught between the lifts and terminal tunnel and no one knows what is happening, this country is knackered.' Heathrow airport recently pledged to cut waiting times at airport security. Heathrow promised that 95 per cent of passengers will pass through security in under five minutes by 2031. The airport is also planning to redesign its terminals to improve the passenger experience by creating 70,000 sqm more space for travellers, reports The Times. Terminals 3 and 5 are also set to get more shops and restaurants while the airport has pledged that 99 per cent of bags will arrive on time due to new technology. The airport said the technology would mean that 1.25 million fewer bags ended up lost. Heathrow's new plans will form part of a £10bn investment to upgrade the passenger experience at the major airport. While earlier this month, it unveiled its designs for a third runway.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Stunning UK ‘lake theme park' that costs £5 to enter – perfect for families in heatwave school holidays
BRITAIN is basking in scorching temperatures yet again this week, so if you're looking for an alternative to the beach - why not opt for some wild swimming. Pool Bridge Farm is home to four lakes that are great for wild swimmers - and is just 10 minutes from York city centre. 4 Each lake offers something different, making it somewhat of a lake theme park. For example, you could take a dip in Q Lake - which is the family lake and also the largest lake, spanning across seven acres in total. For added fun (and to make sure the kids don't get bored) you can paddleboard or kayak on the lake. However, visitors will need to bring their own equipment and pre-book a time slot. Or head to one of the other three lakes, which are adults only. The Monet Lake is known for being calm, where you can swim amongst flowering lilies - hence why it is named after Claude Monet. It measures 200 metres long and there are large grassy banks to sunbathe on when you don't want to be in the water. Then at M Lake - shaped like the letter - visitors can enjoy 500 metres of swimming or hop into one of five wood-fired saunas. Lastly, those who prefer to get a good workout in can head to Horseshoe Lake where they will find a 300 metre circuit. The beautiful lake an hour from London with overwater bungalows like the Maldives The site was originally for fishing, but the current owners decided to turn them into swimming lakes. It also has outdoor showers and saunas. Visitors that want to use the saunas will also need to book, with each 55-minute session costing £15 or £20 to include lake access. After a leisurely swim, you can grab a bite and a drink at the Pool Bridge Farm Cafe with homemade meals and wood-fired pizzas. The attraction also hosts events occasionally, including a sound bath on August 24 and an Equinox Event on September 21. The attraction is open from 8am to 8pm throughout the summer. A child swim ticket costs £5 and an adult swim ticket costs £8. If you work for the NHS, you can get a discounted ticket for £6.40. Or save a few pounds by getting a family ticket, which costs £20 for two adults and two children. Pool Bridge Farm also has a campsite for those looking to stay overnight, with pitches from £20 a night. If you want to extend your stay, the city of York is just down the road to be explored and there are plenty of places to stay near the lakes including campsites and shepherd's huts. How to do 24 hours in the city of York THE Sun's Alex Lloyd headed to York for 24 hours and here is what she got up to... An afternoon tea at The Principal hotel provides not only delicious food but also a beautiful view of York Minster. The hotel, located near York station, has a rich history, with original ornate tiles still visible in the corridors. For a deep dive into the city's food heritage, visit the York Chocolate Story museum to learn about the Rowntree and Terry families, who built confectionery empires there. The city also offers many contemporary dining options, from the budget-friendly and inventive brunch dishes at Partisan to street food at the shipping-container hub Spark. Don't miss the lemon curd-filled doughnuts from Cosgriff and Sons bakery, conveniently located across from Clifford's Tower. Finally, enjoy a nightcap at the Impossible Wonderbar, a grand restoration of a former Terry's shop and ballroom. The UK is home to many different water attractions, including a park that's perfect for a hot weekend with a splash park, boating lake and miniature railway. And at another site you will find a 750-acre adventure attraction with six lakes, a zipline and a nature reserve. 4 4
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent's new multi-million-pound station gateway unveiled
The councillor who steered the revamp outside Stoke-on-Trent railway station said he was elated with the new gateway and thanked everyone for their patience with the project was part of a £29 million improvement plan, funded by the government's Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), and had been under way for more than a businesses have complained about an impact on trade, most notably The Potters Club which closed its restaurant after 74 years of trading. Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Labour, said he recognised that businesses, locals and commuters would be "really, really pleased that just the chaos of the roadworks is over". He said of the city's latest feature: "It feels like a proper welcome, fit for a Stokie, and a place that people can be proud of."The revamped area in front of the station includes wider pavements, pedestrian crossings and larger bus shelters displaying computerised arrival Josiah Wedgwood statue was relocated to allow for the scheme. Since work on the ground began in May 2024, Station Road had been significantly disrupted, and at times impassable to traffic."Roadworks and disruption is never easy, but I like to think it was short-term pain for long-term gain," Gordon-McCusker stated the £40 million had been invested into new bus schemes, so passengers could travel to Festival Park, the Bet365 Stadium and Wolstanton Retail new layout gives priority to public transport, a move which the councillor hoped would make pedestrians safer."When people leave the station they're not dodging cars. It's an easy approach; it's a safe approach," he said. Paul Brown who works at Bod, the bar located inside the station, said lengthy roadworks had significantly impacted takings and he was relieved to see the traffic cones being collected. "Now it's all completed, we're hoping it'll be for the good [of] the business."He added the project looked good, and backed the restrictions to traffic. "I'm hoping that with the busgate being put in, it'll help reduce speeding cars that come flying through here," he said: "This is a station that's fit for the future."Hopefully it won't need any of this kind of major work done for the rest of my lifetime."
