Heading for a station with a long name. (Not *that* long though)

TfW first class availability, a useful summary and would be even more useful with daily updates.

https://tfw.wales/service-status/first-class-service-availability

Mark

Airport drop-off charges: how does yours compare?

The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport has increased to £8.50, making it one of the most expensive in England.

The charge to park for 10 minutes in the drop-off area has risen a number of times in recent years, with a spokesperson for the airport saying the latest increase was due to the chancellor's recent budget - which would see its business rates bill rise.

In response to the news, Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association said airports were "pulling the easiest revenue lever" by increasing their parking fees. He added public transport was often not an alternative option, especially at airports outside London. "Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable - it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community," he said.

Take a look at how airport drop-off charges compare across England.

Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport offers a range of parking options as well as links to public transport.
Short Stay car park: Located eight to 10 minutes walk from the terminal. It charges £8.50 for up to 15 minutes or £10.50 for 15 to 30 minutes parking.
Bristol Airport Flyer: £15 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.
Free shuttle bus: Passengers can board the shuttle from the waiting zone, which offers free parking for up to an hour. The shuttle drops passengers off at the Transport Interchange which is located a short walk away from the terminal.

London Heathrow
Parking fees cost the same at all Heathrow terminals. There are also links to public transport like the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express and free transportation between terminals.
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7.50 for up to 29 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes. Motorists can park for up to 29 minutes for free.

London Gatwick
From Tuesday, London Gatwick will overtake Bristol and become the most expensive for drop-off and pick-up parking when its fees increase by £3.
Parking fees are the same at both North and South terminals.
Drop-off area: £10 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses. Parking is free for up to two hours.

London Stansted
Drop-off area: £7 for 15 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking. Located a short walk away from the terminals.
Long stay car parks: Free parking for up to two hours. Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses.

London Luton
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car park: £15 for 30 minutes parking. Reduced tariff for blue badge holders and fully electric vehicles.
Long stay car park: Located further from the terminal, but served by free shuttle buses. Free parking for up to two hours.

London City
London City Airport will introduce a drop-off charge for the first time from Tuesday. Blue badge holders will be exempt from the fees.
Drop-off area: £8 for up to five minutes, then £1 per minute. Maximum stay is 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: £6.90 for up to 20 minutes parking.
Long stay car park: £74.90 for eight to 24 hours parking.

London Southend
Drop-off area: £8 for up to ten minutes.
Short stay car park: £45 for one to two hours.
Long stay car park: £65 for four to 24 hours. £65 for each additional 24 hours or part thereof.

Birmingham
Drop-off area: Free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: Ranges from £2.50 to £10.50 for up to one hour depending on car park.
Long stay car park: Ranges from £49 to £64 for up to 24 hours, depending on car park.

Manchester
Paid drop-off area: £5 for five minutes at terminals one, two and three.
Free drop-off area: Located in JetParks 1. Passengers can travel to the terminals for free on a shuttle bus service, with the journey taking about six minutes.
Short stay car park: £12.80 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £61.40 per 24 hours.

East Midlands
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 15 minutes.
Short stay car park: £8 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: from £40 for 24 hours.

Newcastle International
Newcastle Airport scrapped its free drop-off parking in December.
90 minutes' free parking at Callerton Parkway, next to the Metro station, with a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes.
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay 1 car park: £18 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £40 for one day, £25 per day or part thereafter.

Liverpool John Lennon
Express drop-off area: £6 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £8 for up to 30 minutes.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £12 for up to one hour, £50 per day and £25 per day or part thereafter.

Leeds Bradford
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £83 per day, £48 per additional day.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £57 per day, £18 per additional day.

Teesside International
Drop-off area: £2.50 for up to 10 minutes, rising to £5 for 60 minutes, and £7 per hour thereafter.
Longer stays: £24 up to 24 hours if booked in advance, £36 for 24 hours for non-booked parking.

Norwich
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Longer stays: £10 for up to 4 hours in car park 2, £35 for 24 hours in car park 2.

Southampton
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 20 minutes in the short stay car park.
Short stay: £15 for up to one hour.
Longer stay: £60 for up to 24 hours.

Bournemouth
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Short stay: £10 for up to two hours.
Longer stay: £40 for one day.

Exeter
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 14 minutes in car park 1, closest to the airport. Free for up to 30 minutes in car park 4, further away.
Short stay: £10 for up to 2 hours in car park 1.
Long stay: £45 for one day in car park 1, £30 in car park 4.

Cornwall Airport Newquay
Drop-off area: free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay: £7.50 for up to 2 hours.
Long stay: £26 for up to 24 hours on the day, £20 if booked in advance.

But they’ve just spent a small fortune building a new drop-off car park!

They know full well that despite hiking up the charges that people will still use the drop-off car park and they can watch the cash roll in. People will moan about the cost but will still use it as it’s quick and convenient.

Parking and retail is where airports, particularly regional ones make their money.

Good to be hearing from you on these trips, Mark.   I am looking at following in your footsteps (metaphorically) over the next few months, and loving your experiences.

I was wondering if you're catching the 07:04 off Bath Spa on any of your days - the "Parly" over the Rhubarb loop.

The Paddington <-> Bristol <-> Penzance through trains seem to be very much "high risk" trains if you need to be on time.  Before the evening buses from Chippenham to Melksham were withdrawn, there was a 5 minute change off the train from Penzance to the bus at Chippenham - 22:11 to 22:16, and it worked on 2 evenings out of 3 ...

Where are ou headed today?

The lowest point in the Severn tunnel: is it marked by a pair of blue lights?

Mark

With these compulsory eye tests will the tests start with the oldest driving licence holders first.

I have glaucoma and require a DVLA eye test every 3 years when I renew my licence.  I strongly support this proposal.

Rough sleepers outside station moved on - council


Eastbourne Borough Council said it had moved on rough sleepers from outside the town's railway station

A "small" number of rough sleepers have been moved on from outside a town's railway station, the local authority has said.

Eastbourne Borough Council said its station had become a "hot spot" for rough sleepers over the last few months due to it providing shelter and opportunities for begging. It said there were "serious concerns" about public safety and sanitary conditions in the area.

The council said the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) had been activated and the rough sleepers were entitled to accommodation. It said a multi-agency task force had cleared and carried out a deep-clean of the area, while support had been offered to those rough sleeping. Daily checks of the area will continue, it added.

The council spokesperson said: "The current rough sleepers at the station have refused all offers of support and accommodation to date. Our specialist team will continue to work with partners to prevent rough sleeping and homelessness in Eastbourne. We strongly encourage people to donate to local homelessness charities, not give money to rough sleepers, which often causes more harm than good."

The council said it provided services including outreach sessions, Housing First, for individuals with complex needs, assessment centres and short stay accommodation. It added that it was working with organisations including Salvation Army, Matthew 25 and Kingdom Way Trust, to "maximise their capacity" to support rough sleepers.