Latest news with #BristolChannel
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Waverley returns to Bristol 50 years since its relaunch
The world's last seagoing paddle steamer returns to the Bristol channel this month offering popular day trips across the West and South West Waverley is a vessel of national significance and is registered on The National Historic Fleet with almost 80 years of has operated in preservation since 1975 becoming a "national treasure" after carrying an estimated six million passengers."We have developed the best possible sailing programme for the Bristol Channel to ensure that as many locals and visitors as possible have the opportunity to step aboard the Waverley," said Captain Dominic McCall. Strong winds in early June effected an excursion and a crew member noticed a boiler leaking steam on the ship which needed to be repaired ship will now be ready to set sail again for its planned tours on 6 June where passengers can join a special fundraising cruise round the Holm Islands to help support the maintenance of Clevedon Pier, the only Grade 1 listed pier in England. This season includes two planned trips to the remote Lundy Island – passengers that board the Bristol channel experience will be allowed to step ashore and explore the mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway the Waverley is giving the "ultimate day out" by connecting three steam railways – the West Somerset, the Brecon Mountain and Lynton & Barnstable railways by taking a paddle steamer and steam train around the Bristol Channel and South West Wales are until 25 June, where the Waverley will be exploring Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer from 27 June.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bizarre squiggly road markings leave drivers baffled – would YOU know what they mean?
BIZARRE squiggly road marking have left residents baffled and wreaked havoc for drivers. But following widespread criticism, the local council has decided to take action. 2 The unique wiggly road markings in Clevedon, Somerset, have now been removed following a fierce backlash. After review, the traffic scheme has been scrapped with the wobbly lines removed and the original parking reinstated. The work to remove the road markings started in February and was completed at the weekend at a total cost of £500,000. It is thought that over £1 million was spent on previously installing the lines. In addition to the sea-facing parking being re-introduced, a mini-roundabout, pedestrian crossing and new loading bays have also been created. 2 The seafront will remain a one-way system and the two-way cycle path has made way for a contra-flow lane. Overall, the works took 13 weeks to complete and the whole scheme including its removal has cost the taxpayer nearly £1.5 million. North Somerset Council installed the wavy lines, cycle lane and one-way system along Beach Road in 2022. This was in an effort to slow drivers and deter people from roadside parking there. But the markings sparked confusion and anger amongst residents who could no longer park their motors on the seafront overlooking the Bristol Channel. At the time, one local reckoned the markings resembled a "lane for drink-drivers." Another insisted that "the road layout is a hot mess." It was also described as "Balamory from hell for a motorcycle" by a third resident. The RAC previously dubbed the markings as one of the most "bizarre" schemes it had seen. MP Liam Fox also hit out at the "shambles" and called for the scheme to be axed. The scheme even prompted protests amid widespread media ridicule. At the time, a council spokesman said: "The lines are a design feature to reduce the potential abuse of parking at these locations and help make the road feel narrower, which is a technique used to slow traffic speeds. 'In this case, the area is adjacent to the sailing club entrance so needs to be kept clear. 'A wavy line provides uncertainty to the driver and is proven to help reduce unwanted parking.' North Somerset Council has been approached for comment.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Britain's daftest road markings are finally removed after council spent £1.5m on wiggly lines that left drivers and cyclists baffled
Britain's 'most bonkers' wiggly road markings - which wreaked havoc on drivers and cyclists and sparked widespread protests - have finally been removed in a humiliating blow to the council who wasted £1.5million of taxpayers' cash on them. The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million. North Somerset council said the lines helped make the road feel narrower, which would help reduce the speed of motorists. But the new seafront layout sparked derision and anger among locals and visitors who could no longer park their vehicles facing towards the sea to enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel. The traffic scheme - described by the RAC as one of the 'most bizarre' it has ever seen - was reviewed and the decision made to reinstate the original parking and remove the wobbly lines. The work, which took 13 weeks to complete and cost a further £500,000, was finally completed at the weekend. The works re-introduced sea facing parking, removed the two-way cycle path, the yellow brick road, the wavy line and made way for a mini-roundabout. North Somerset council said the works would 'improve' pedestrian crossing points. Resident Cathy Hawkins who set up the campaign group 'Save our Seafront' said the scheme was a 'disaster' and a 'complete waste of money'. Cathy, who claims the scheme cost £2million, said: 'They made themselves a laughing stock in the country. 'I don't think it is much better than it was before and it is a complete waste of £2million. 'It is still one way and it still causes real traffic issues - I'm not particularly happy that it is not in the initial way but it's better than it was. ' She claimed her campaign group 'begged' the council to refuse going ahead with the project. Ms Hawkins added: 'This is the outcome of not listening to their residents. 'They refused to speak to us and they went ahead. 'It was a ridiculous scheme that was dangerous. People could open their doors onto the cycle lane which meant people could get knocked down their bikes. 'There were massive issues reported - it was an awful design in the first place. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million The wiggly lines are being removed in Clevedon, Somerset, following the outrage 'They need to do what the residents wants not what the council wants. 'They are putting these schemes all over the country. This has got to stop - councilors are not there to force things onto people. People are fed up with it.' The initial plans were originally met with heavy criticism from local residents - who even staged a 'conga line' protest in fancy dress amidst widespread media ridicule of the project.
Times
18-05-2025
- Science
- Times
Welcome to Britain's biggest building site. There's a ‘fish disco'
Two miles off the Somerset coast, a strange sound is playing. About 20 metres below the slate-grey surface of the Bristol Channel, a small device called a ceramic transducer blasts out a high-pitched acoustic beam at a frequency far higher than can be detected by the human ear. This machine — once disparaged by the former environment secretary Michael Gove as a 'fish disco' — is being tested to see if it can scare off the salmon, herring, shad, eel and sea trout that in six years' time will start being sucked in their millions into massive water inlets that have been built near by. Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is late and over budget. This is the biggest building site in Britain, possibly
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Worcestershire firm take on Severn source to sea challenge
A team from a film and media company is to travel the length of the River Severn to raise funds for source to sea challenge will see the group from Bewdley-based DRPG kayak, run and cycle the 220-mile (354 km) route from the heights of Plynlimon to the Bristol chief executive Dale Parmenter, who is taking part, said he was inspired by BBC Children in Need and hoped to raise £20,000 for four charities."Like most great ideas this one started in the pub, I wanted to do something big for our 45th [anniversary] and that seemed like a great idea," he said. "The River Severn has played a big part in my life.""One of my first films I ever made was on the Severn. I used to row as well. My family came up from France on the troves about 300 years ago and I went to school by it, so I thought 'this is fitting let's do the whole thing'."DRPG supports companies with their internal and external communications and said it had worked with the likes of Tesco, Lloyds Bank and JLR, among set to benefit from the challenge are the River Severn Trust, award-making foundation Meeting Needs, the King's Trust, and Wheels for All, which champions inclusive Parmenter said the group had been training "a few times a week", practising a few of the disciplines. "There's a bit of an age difference between us so I think there's going to be a bit of competition," he joked. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
