Airport Parking and Road Use Charges in UK

The most expensive airport parking in Britian is at Luton Airport, according to a survey by GMB (the general trade union). An hour in the short-stay car park at Luton costs £6.50, compared with £3.90 at Heathrow, £3.70 at Gatwick, £3.20 at Birmingham, £3.40 at Glasgow and £2.80 at Stansted Airport. Luton’s short stay parking is more expensive than parking at some top London hotels!   We checked, and according to Luton Airport’s website you can save 60% on short term parking charges by booking in advance on-line.  www.london-luton.co.uk. 

A congestion charge has been in operation in Central London for several years, requiring motorists to pay £8 per day when their vehicle enters the congestion zone between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding public holidays.  For more information visit the Transport for London website at: www.tfl.gov.uk.

The question of whether motorists in the UK should pay to use roads nationwide is being hotly debated but looks to be a long way off while tests are carried out and ways of implementing such a complicated scheme are worked out.  Road charging would be used to keep congestion to a minimum during busy times.  It is speculated that road charging could produce enough revenue to replace fuel tax and car tax.  (Our guess is those charges will remain firmly intact!) Charging to use roads could cut congestion and carbon emissions significantly, and deter many people from driving unless necessary. 

In Manchester congestion charges have been introduced to cut down the amount of traffic during rush hour times.  Motorists face charges of up to five pounds to enter Manchester city centre during busy times and further charges to exit each zone. The charges don’t apply at off-peak times or weekends. A similar scheme was proposed in Edinburgh but defeated. Glasgow has terrible congestion problems which it currently tackles by charging higher fees to park, thereby discouraging motorists.  It’s probably only a matter of time before road charging schemes will be in operation throughout the country. 

Here in Norwich the council’s Highway Committee plans to raise the cost of resident parking permits, with owners of large 4×4 type vehicles paying the heftiest fees. This is part of an effort to encourage motorists to switch to smaller vehicles which would be more economical and also allow for more cars to park on the streets outside houses.  Free permits would be issued to those who own cars which run on alternative fuel. The cost of parking in the centre of Norwich could also be raised to £1.60 per hour. 

Obviously something has to be done about congestion, but we hope that steps are taken to improve public transport and thereby encourage us out of our cars.  The rail system between Norwich and London is consistent in its unreliability – and it’s expensive.  Last year two of the TIA team wasted a day of their lives sitting on a train stuck halfway to London, for several hours, only to have to abandon the trip when the train returned to Norwich because of problems with overhead lines. This seems to happen an awful lot which is a shame because we have lost faith in the rail system to get us where we need to go.  Buses can take forever and are uncomfortable… which leaves us no alternative but to get back in the car.

Be Aware of Malaria Risk in the Tropics

Just a reminder: We all have to take care of important matters like purchasing or renewing our travel insurance and checking on passport renewal dates and visas for trips to the tropics. Don’t forget to also check whether you need vaccinations for your destination(s).  It just isn’t worth the risk to go off without the recommended protection.

The Health Protection Agency reported that the number of cases of malaria in British people who visit the tropics is on the rise.  During 2006, 1,758 cases were reported in travellers from the UK – eight of which were fatal.  Close to 80% of the cases were caused by the most deadly strain, whereas over 200 cases were due to the type which can cause debilitating illness but is not usually fatal.  Over half the cases were among those visiting relatives or friends living in tropical areas.

A malaria expert at the HPA reported it is a common misconception that those who were born in areas where malaria is common (and now live in the UK) have built up immunity to the disease.  Apparently the partial immunity is quickly lost and those who have never lived in affected areas will have no immunity at all. Medical advice on the prevention of malaria should always be sought and followed.

The appropriate malaria medication should be used depending on the destination.  Preventative measures such as covering arms and legs with clothing and using mosquito nets and insect repellents should also be taken. Travellers are urged to educate themselves and be aware of the symptoms of malaria, which can be flu like.  The longer you wait to seek medical help the worse the illness could be.  If you are unwell after returning from the tropics get checked out as quickly as possible.  Tell the doctor where you have been and mention the possibility you could have been infected with malaria.  For more information visit:  www.hpa.org.uk.

Enjoy Your Safari - But Don’t Take Chances

Your safari adventure is sure to exceed all your expectations, but remember that the animals you encounter are wild and not safely behind fences as they are in a zoo. Not long ago, two British tourists - a woman and her ten year old daughter - were trampled to death by a charging bull elephant in a National Park in Zimbabwe while on a walking safari. The husband (and father) managed to escape to safety but was injured. It was thought that the elephant was unusually aggressive because it was in musth. 

The attack happened despite the group being escorted by armed guides. Investigations were started to determine whether negligence was a factor, but it seems that sometimes the attacks can happen with such speed that everyone is caught off guard. Apparently one of the guides did shoot at the elephant and was seriously injured as the elephant continued its attack.

According to a National Geographic report we saw, about 500 people are killed by elephant attacks worldwide every year. Many victims are the local population and farmers who may be encroaching into the habitat of the elephants and trying to protect their crops and livelihood. Adult elephants can eat over 400 lbs of food a day, which means an entire field of crops.   Elephants can grow to 13 feet tall (4 meters) and weigh up to six tons. Because of their size people under-estimate their speed and forget they can run at up to 30 mph. Unlike other animals you might encounter on safari, elephants are vegetarians so don’t attack humans because they’re hungry! The National Geographic website has a lot of information and reports about these attacks.  Just type ’elephant attacks’ into the search box: www.nationalgeographic.com.

In Zimbabwe, elephants are reported to be the second most dangerous animal after crocodiles. They often become the victims of humans in poaching incidents for their ivory (which, as most people know, is illegal) or because they are considered dangerous or a nuisance to the humans living close to them. In some protected areas the elephants are culled to keep their numbers down.

Scientists and biologists are studying elephants to try to understand their increasingly aggressive behaviour towards humans in all parts of the world. The reason, it is speculated, may be a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, perhaps from a memory of their family members being killed by humans – and elephants are known for their intelligence, close family units, and loooooong memories…

Have You Tried Eurostar Yet? Disneyland is Close

Eurostar recently reported its best punctuality records since it started operating in November 1994. Because of the increasingly reliable service many business travellers are now opting to take the Channel Tunnel route with Eurostar instead of using short-haul airlines. The increase in use of the train is also thought to be partly due to passengers’ frustration with airport security procedures and delays. 

On November 14 this year the terminus for the Eurostar Channel Tunnel service will be moving from Waterloo International to St. Pancras International.  This move will make the journey between the UK, Belgium and France faster by cutting up to 22 minutes off the journey. St. Pancras International will be the starting point for High Speed 1 – the UK’s first high-speed rail line which will link central London with high speed trains in Europe. 

If you plan to visit Europe, perhaps to take in the Tour de France in July or Rugby World Cup in the autumn, you might consider avoiding the budget airline scrums and take Eurostar instead.  Eurostar travels direct to Paris, Brussels, Lille and Avignon.  From there you can catch connections to dozens of other destinations such as Bruge, Amsterdam and Lyon.  Have a look at the Eurostar site for route maps.  Don’t forget that in winter the Ski Train can whisk you away to all the downhill action in the Alps www.ski.eurostar.com.

Getting to Disneyland Paris is very easy with Eurostar. In less than three hours you could be standing at those magic gates with excited kids in tow ready to meet with Mickey, Minnie and all the other assorted, smiling critters. This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the theme park, which opened on April 12, 1992.  www.disneylandparis.com.

Eurostar has a very informative website which tells you everything you need to know.  Just click on their link:  www.eurostar.com.

Beware of Jellyfish on Spanish Beaches

Along with hoards of winter-white humans, the sunny coastlines of Spain are also visited in summer by swarms of jellyfish or ‘jellies’ as they are known. Last year thousands of holidaymakers had painful encounters with them. So, if you’re planning to swim in the Spanish Med this summer be aware of the potential and watch out for them.  The problem has become so troublesome that authorities in Murcia are considering putting up a very long net offshore to stop jellyfish invading the beaches. Other resort areas are considering physically removing any unwelcome visitors and dumping them into landfills, which seems rather unfair (the jellyfish, not humans!)

Your holiday fun could be seriously spoiled if you’re suffering from painful stings.  When jellyfish are particularly troublesome the beaches may be closed.  If warnings are posted it would be smart to stay out of the water, or suffer the possible consequences.  We saw a report that last year in the Valencia area over 11,000 people were stung badly enough to receive medical attention.

There is a more scientific explanation of course but basically, just like us, the hot and dry weather drives the jellyfish onto the beaches.  Although rare, particularly nasty jellyfish like the Portuguese Man-o-War have been sighted in the Spanish Med and there is speculation that their numbers could increase.  The most common ones you’re likely to encounter are the Sea Nettle and the Compass Jellyfish. 

I was stung by an unidentified jellyfish in Mexico while scuba diving several years ago.  It was certainly not a pleasant sensation.  It looked like a harmless piece of seaweed but felt as if I had about a hundred pins jabbed into my forearm all at once.  My arm was sore for a while but got better on its own with the aid of some soothing gel. I can’t imagine what that must feel like if you’re stung in more sensitive areas, as many people are.   If you’ve ever watched those beach rescue shows on television you may have seen how children can get stung on the face while swimming, particularly around the eyes, which must be really horrible.  If you plan to spend a lot of time in the water we’d recommend you read up on jellyfish so that you can identify the nasty ones and get out of their way.  You could encounter them in many parts of the world so water-lovers have a very good chance of getting caught eventually no matter how careful. 

Jellyfish are not the only critters to watch out for.  Shark attacks are very rare in Spain, unlike some other parts of the world, but you could encounter other hazards like rays, sea urchins and weaver fish.  People get stung by them every year and it’s not because they are aggressive to humans or out to get you.  They hide in the sand and don’t appreciate being trodden on, so it’s their way of telling you what they think of you.  Check online - for a start you could try www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/9608/jellyfish/ and do your own research. A book to help identify jellyfish and other creatures of the seashore might be a fun way to educate yourself and your children, or maybe a trip to an aquarium.  A pair of cheap beach shoes to wear while paddling is probably a good investment - along with your travel insurance of course!

Do You Hate Flying Because of Turbulence?

We found some good news for nervous fliers. NASA scientists are developing new technology aimed to give pilots enough warning of turbulence ahead for them to try to steer clear of it, or at least give cabin staff and passengers sufficient warning to make sure they are strapped in, meals and meal carts stowed, and you’re not caught bouncing about in the tiny loo - where there are no seatbelts or padded walls.  NASA website: www.nasa.gov.

“The Captain has turned on the seat belt sign…”  We all hate hearing those words? There’s nothing worse than having just got your meal sorted out and unpacked on the tray and drink poured, ready to dig in, than feeling the first shudders of turbulence.  If you are crammed into a typical economy seat and your seat belt is unfastened you could have a heck of a time trying to fasten it while the tray is down.  So, best advice is to always keep it buckled.  I do.  I happen to really enjoy flying but, like everyone else, don’t enjoy turbulence. I always feel sorry for the cabin staff when they have to carry on with their duties unless the turbulence is so bad that the captain instructs them to take their seats too.  Not a good sign.

It is hoped that the new technology will help prevent injuries and save airlines a lot of money.  Incidents of turbulence can cost the airlines millions in late arrivals, re-routing flights and additional maintenance and inspections.  Another type of technology is being developed in conjunction which will calculate the severity of turbulence and send a report to ground staff who can use the data to determine if the plane needs to be checked out before flying again. Some of the new technology is being tried out on aircraft flown by Delta Airlines (www.delta.com).  A new system is also being developed to alert pilots to the threat of icing conditions as they cross the United States. 

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) almost all turbulence-related injuries during flights in the U.S. occur because of seat belts not being fastened. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of buckling up whenever you’re seated.  Those who dread getting on a plane can take heart as flying can only get safer with all this new technology being developed.  Aviation buffs might enjoy the FAA website:  www.faa.gov.

Mobile Phone Roaming Charges to be Capped!

Good news today for Brits who travel a lot and use their mobile phones abroad. European Union negotiators have agreed a deal to cap roaming charges within the EU. The new law was endorsed yesterday in Strasbourg but still has to be submitted for final approval by the full European Parliament on June 7th - which should be a formality.  It is hoped that the new rates will be effective by the middle of August, meaning cheaper outgoing and incoming mobile phone calls for the peak summer travel season. 

The new deal will translate into significant savings, with calls made from a mobile phone from abroad being capped at about 35 pence per minute and a maximum of 19 pence for calls received on your mobile phone from abroad. The actual charges will depend on the current exchange rate, of course. Under the new agreement roaming rates will be reduced even further over the next three years. 

It has long been argued that mobile phone companies have been gouging consumers on roaming charges. So this is a significant victory for mobile phone users and a blow to the mobile phone companies who have been making oodles of money. There is talk, however, that the phone companies are plotting their revenge by increasing the cost of domestic mobile phone charges to compensate for the loss of the massive profits from international revenues.  C’est la vie!

Planning to Fly Around the World on a Budget?

If you do your homework it is now possible to fly completely around the world on budget fares! No need to pack sandwiches either as most of the budget carriers provide meals and in-flight entertainment on their long-haul flights and seats are assigned at check-in.  If you plan carefully you should be able to find budget airline tickets for less than half the amount you’d normally pay.  Here are a few suggestions:

Try Zoom Airlines for a budget fare between London and New York. Starting daily from June 21st. They also fly to Bermuda and cities in Canada (www.flyzoom.com).

You can now fly from Heathrow to Toronto twice weekly on a budget flight with Air Transat.  Fares include meals, tea, coffee, etc. (www.airtransat.co.uk).

Low-cost Oasis Hong Kong Airline flies from Gatwick to Hong Kong for about £150 each way, inclusive of taxes.  They plan to add a further flight from Hong Kong to Oakland, California beginning in July. Future plans for Oasis include routes from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Toronto (www.oasishongkong.com).

If you want to take in Australia it will take a bit more planning to do it on a budget but it’s possible.  Your could take the Oasis flight to Hong Kong and then use Jetstar (www.jetstar.com) to take in Singapore, Sydney and Hawaii. From Honolulu you could take ATA (www.ata.com) to San Francisco and then on to New York and back to London.  Other airlines to consider for travel Down Under include Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) and Skywest (www.skywest.com.au). Between Oz and NZ try Freedom Air (www.freedomair.co.nz); also Jetconnect and Jetstar. 

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.co.uk) plans to start operating flights from Auckland to Vancouver from November this year which will provide a great link for those wishing to visit New Zealand and western Canada. Westjet flies from Toronto to New York (www.westjet.com).  Or you could take in Las Vegas before returning to New York with JetBlue (www.jetblue.com). 

Royal Bengal Airline plans to start flights from Stansted to Dhaka, Bangladesh, with future plans to add links from Manchester and Birmingham (www.royalbengalairline.com).

If you were hoping for a bargain air fare to Malaysia, AirAsia X has delayed its launch date until next year.  They’ve bought some of the new Airbus planes so watch out for budget flights as their future plans include routes between Kuala Lumpur and Stansted or Manchester. Watch for updates on their website (www.flyasianxpress.com).

Keep an eye out for Kingfisher Airlines for flights in India.  They’ve also purchased the new Superjumbo plane which should translate into cheaper flights (www.flykingfisher.com).

Does Your Travel Insurance Cover Terrorist Attacks?

If you haven’t yet made plans for the long Bank Holiday weekend it may not be too late to find some last-minute deals online. Bookings in many Mediterranean resorts have been down so far this year, so you could still snap up a bargain.  It’s not something we want to think about when planning our holidays, yet many travellers are concerned about problems which might arise due to terrorist activities.  Although the chances of anything happening are unlikely that’s what insurance is all about, so it’s nice to know that the insurance industry is responding to these concerns. 

The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is encouraging all insurers to cover travellers who may be caught up in terrorist activities. While many travel insurance companies still refuse to cover these risks, Travel Insurance Direct now provides insurance in a number of areas related to terrorism at no extra charge.

You still need to be sensible about the whole thing. If the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to a particular area or country there wouldn’t be any cover, but who would want to go under those circumstances anyway?  There are a number of other conditions to check up on too. (That’s why it’s important to read your policy!)

The following advice always stands: Before planning a holiday in any country that might be considered unsafe for any reason, we recommend that you check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website first.  If you go ahead and travel despite listed warnings you may find your travel insurance will not compensate you if you encounter a problem because you will have put yourself at ‘unnecessary risk’.  It’s wise to call your travel insurance company before setting off to ask whether you will be covered for your destination.  Most travel insurance policies have exclusions for events like terrorist acts, revolution, war and civil unrest.  If you sustained injuries and lost your belongings in such a situation you may not be covered, although that is not always the case. If your injury or loss was sustained in an unrelated event you could still be covered.

If the FCO warning is serious enough that you decide not to travel you should receive compensation for cancellation from either your insurer or bonded tour operator or be offered an alternative trip.  When purchasing travel insurance it is important to make sure the policy includes good medical coverage with repatriation coverage. For more information about posted warnings visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk or call their help line on 020 7008 0232.

Ensure Your Pet is Cared for When You Go Travelling

We know you would never be guilty of neglecting your pet. Would you? A new law came into force this year to protect your pet (March 28th in Wales and April 6th in England). You now have a legal responsibility to take care of pets properly, so next time you go off on holiday and leave your pet behind please make sure it is being well cared for in your absence. The new Animal Welfare Act requires you to take care of your pet’s welfare in areas such as:

• Providing a proper diet (including food and water)
• Providing somewhere suitable to live
• Providing for any need to house the pet with, or apart from, other animals
• Allowing the animal to express its normal behaviour
• Protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.

Penalties could result in a ‘welfare offence’ meaning a fine or even a prison sentence. Most people do care for their pets and the new law is not designed to go after responsible owners without reason - it has been designed to protect animals which might be victims of abuse or neglect. This is a good thing! With warm weather on the way remember it’s not a good idea to leave pets (or children!) in a hot car.

If you need help with vet bills, micro-chipping or neutering, your local RSPCA might be able to help so contact your local office for information. The RSPCA is always very grateful for any support with volunteers or donations. To learn more about caring for animals and the Animal Welfare Act visit www.rspca.org.uk/petcare or call the RSPCA advice line: 0870 33 35 999.

A while ago we wrote a blog about Pet Passports and procedures for taking your pet abroad. To review this information and related links click here.

When you look for a pet don’t forget the local animal shelters where an abandoned pet might be the perfect match for you. For information about adoption and links to organizations and charities, visit www.animalsamaritans.org.uk. The new Animal Welfare Act is great news for all pets … Woof! Woof! Meow! Meow!