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Rachel Reeves issued Heathrow warning as expansion may lead to more misery for Brits | Politics | News

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Passenger costs at Heathrow Airport could be increased as a result of Rachel Reeves’ plan to build a third runway, an expert has warned.

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), said the Chancellor’s ambition must not come at the expense of passengers – many of whom are travelling for work.

He added: “Many UK businesses are already face rising costs and increased operational overheads.

“It is crucial that any investment in Heathrow is managed responsibly, ensuring that improvements are not simply passed down through increased passenger charges.

“The BTA urges a clear and fair cost strategy that protects travellers while delivering the modernised infrastructure Britain desperately needs. We look forward to working with Heathrow, airlines, hotels and wider industry stakeholders to ensure that the expansion strengthens the UK’s global connectivity without creating unnecessary financial burdens for those who rely on it.”

When asked what fees could rise, a spokesperson for the BTA noted a recent increase in drop-off fees as “just one case in point”.

In a letter to Heathrow, the organisation predicted that the airport’s additional revenue for parking would exceed £35.2million this the year – a number that reportedly accounts for only a 50% use of the drop-off option by drivers.

The Heathrow Reimagined campaign group has also claimed that the airport is the most expensive in the world, with customers paying £1.1billion more than if charges were in line with equivalent major European airports.

A £6 charge applies every time a vehicle enters the terminal drop-off areas at Heathrow. These are located outside each terminal.

On Tuesday, Heathrow Airport announced a new multibillion-pound investment programme to expand, including new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and work towards its third runway.

Officials say this will include a boost to UK steel jobs. But Paul McGuinness, Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, has suggested that the “expensive” project won’t be a “quick fix” for the economy.

He said that any construction or purchase of steel “would be at least over half a decade away”, and the project “may yet prove uninvestable as several of Heathrow’s airline customers have averred”.

Mr McGuinness added: “After all, the costs of demolishing villages, diverting roads and rivers and tunnelling over the M25’s busiest junction, to increase Heathrow’s size by an area that is larger than Birmingham International Airport, promises to be inordinately expensive.”

The campaigner described the announcement as “almost Orwellian”, and claimed that the project’s maximum economic benefit to the UK would be somewhere between £3.3billion and minus £2.2billion over 60 years.

Regarding the increase in drop off charges, a spokesperson for Heathrow Airport told our sister site MyLondon that the Drop-off Charge is an important part of its sustainability strategy and “changes behaviour to reduce Heathrow’s environmental impact”.

This reduces pollution and congestion, officials added, and free drop-off and pick-up options remain available for all terminals and long stay car parks.



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Hidden gem beach ‘like Caribbean’ with white sand and turquoise water | UK | Travel

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Sawdays holidays says the crystal waters mean if you “squint a little and you could be in the Caribbean.” It added this Isle of Harris beach is one of Scotland’s “truly spectacular” beaches.

There is a campervan site by the beach so there are some larger vehicles using the road, according to Scotland Less Explored. You can also park at the beach for free. 

There are also free toilets and hot water showers at the beach if you are visiting the spot at a colder point in the year or find yourself desperate for the bathroom after a long journey. 

Within the Huisinis Gateway building which is open from 7am to 7.30pm every day, you can find information about local wildlife. You can also take a picnic and enjoy it here on a rainy day as the glass windows show a sneak peak of the beach.

Swimming at the beach is possible. Unlike many quaint little bays on the island which are not sheltered from the open ocean, meaning there are large waves and strong currents, here the bay is protected by headland meaning you can take a dip in easily.

If you are looking for a sweeping viewpoint of the beach – stop just before the carpark on the on the B887. You will be able to take a beautiful panoramic picture of the beach and the bordering peninsula. Park your car and walk back a  few hundred metres in the direction you came from for a souvenir your friends and family will be jealous of. 

If you get bored of beautiful views there is also a spot of history to explore nearby. The Bunavoneader Whaling Station, built in the early 1900s by a Norwegian company operated on and off for almost 60 years.

Today, one of the original three red brick chimneys remains as well as mammoth concrete platforms where ships would return with the enormous beasts.

There is also the North Harris Eagle Observatory which you can cycle to from the beach. Or you can walk it in less than half an hour. 

The building is a small wooden structure which allows you to quietly observe wildlife through the large glass windows – keeping an eye out for the majestic golden eagle.



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Stop flying to Cuba as tourist finds idyllic alternative in Europe | Europe | Travel

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A seasoned traveller has confessed that his latest jaunt across Europe has “completely changed” his perception of Spain, leaving him baffled as to why he’d never heard the name of the hidden gem of a city mentioned before.

Rob Adcock, who chronicles his travels on TikTok, shared his astonishment after he visited an Atlantic coastal city he feels deserves more recognition. Wandering through the sun-drenched streets, Rob said he felt “like an extra on a movie set.”

He shared: “Someone described it to me as being like the ‘Cuba of Europe’ and they are not wrong – because my camera roll has never taken such a beating.” Building suspense among his audience, Rob initially withheld the name of the city, instead offering glimpses of its historic architecture, open-air dining spots, and picturesque seaside setting.

“It’s by the sea so it’s that little bit cooler than the other cities around it,” he said. “And it’s not an expensive place – it’s the perfect mix of a city and a beach break.”

Rob also said it was easy to get around, pointing out that “you can walk everywhere” since “nothing is too far” – which saved him from spending on taxis. “The nearest airport is a £4 train ride and you can fly here through Skyscanner for just £34 in the middle of summer,” he added.

Rob admitted: “I couldn’t have told you anything about this place before I got here, but now I will not stop whanging on about it to anyone who will listen.”

So, what’s the name of this enchanting destination? “Get it in the chat,” he encouraged. “[Tell them] you’re going to Cadiz for the weekend.”

Reacting to his post, a TikTok user shared their own fond memories: “I was there for a day’s stop on a cruise. Went nuts taking pics of old doors. Fell in love with the place.”

Another person shared: “The fish market is amazing too, great bars and restaurants nearby to eat all the delicious seafood and the chicharron de Cadiz is so yummy with a glass or two of Manzanilla or Fino.”

A third expressed gratitude for the recommendation: “Thanks this looks amazing and right up my street.” Whilst a fourth TikTok user added: “Great surfing there!”

Cadiz is the southernmost point of both mainland Spain and Europe.

According to the city’s tourism website: “Its location has determined its clear maritime vocation and its exclusive dedication to the sea since the earliest days of its founding. Considered the oldest city in the West, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs all passed through here, and Spain’s first democratic Constitution was drafted here.”

It continues: “The city, popularly known as the “Silver Cup”, has an unmistakable seafaring flavour, and highlights the grace and hospitality of its inhabitants, as demonstrated by its famous carnivals; very interesting monuments such as the Cathedral , the Walls, the Parish of Santa Cruz, the Genovés Park, the Puerta de la Caleta, etc.

“All of them places of undoubted charm, to which we must add its gastronomy and its famous and beautiful beaches, such as La Caleta, Santa María del Mar, or La Victoria.”



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Fury in 1 of Europe’s most beautiful cities as tourists steal road | Travel News | Travel

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Locals in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities have been left furious after rude tourists destroy their roads for ‘souvenirs’. Bruges in Belgium is visited by millions of people every year, but some try to take a piece of the city home with them.

Tourism brings more than £432 million a year in revenue, but a new trend is now costing the city and taxpayers £276,500 in the last year alone. Known for its cobbled streets, visitors are prying up cobbles in their hundreds. City authorities have had to put up warning signs to inform ignorant tourists that Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement. Franky Demon, the city councillor responsible for roads, said up to 70 cobblestones disappear from the city’s streets every month – this number goes up during the peak season. 

He said: “The phenomenon increases significantly, especially during busy tourist periods such as spring and summer. We’ve noticed they’re mainly stolen from tourist attractions, so we suspect it’s mainly tourists who are taking them. 

“While some may see this as harmless or quirky, the consequences are serious. The removal of cobblestones poses a clear safety risk to both residents and visitors.

“Missing or loosened stones create tripping hazards, and city workers must frequently be dispatched to carry out repairs. Our workers obviously have other things to do besides replacing the stolen cobblestones.”

Local authorities are now taking measures to prevent theft. The cobblestones, which weigh around 20 lbs each, are being removed, cleaned, and set back into the ground with cement.

Demon said: “We simply ask for respect. Anyone who walks through Bruges steps over centuries of history. Leave those cobblestones where they belong.”

A similar issue exists with the city’s green metal chairs, which the authorities leave out for visitors to the parks and central square. Last year, 350 chairs (around four in 10) were stolen. Authorities also blamed visiting tourists for these thefts.

Bruges is working to cope with overtourism. In 2019, the city reduced the number of cruise ships allowed to dock in the nearby port and ended tourism campaigns in nearby destinations to discourage day-trippers.

With its storybook charm, the Belgian destination is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, featuring on lists by travel experts, bloggers, and tourists.



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