Daily Brief 24 June 2013

Posted on June 24, 2013

Latest update 19:15

Red alert for rain Czech Republic.

Newslines: Autobahn random shooter detained – France ‘boites noires’ – DFDS Harwich-Esbjerg suspended – Deadly bus crash Montenegro – Wolf wee in crash cut bid – Bridge theft Russia – Poland roads opportunities – EU raps UK, France, Belgium, Portugal and Romania – Kazak in-car smoking ban plan – New border point cuts Georgia transit time – Kravice Falls & Medjugorje in easier reach – Capljina-Neum direct – Russian truck toll protest – Luggage crash horror – Bulgaria E79 road block threat – Danube 2 ‘premature’

Top Gear was out and about on the Mall, London, yesterday for what they describe as its most ambitious shoot ever... in addition to the red, white and blue (black?) Jaguar F-TYPES was a McLaren P1 hypercar (see right). The new series begins on Sunday, June 30th at 8pm, BBC Two.

Top Gear was out and about on the Mall, London, yesterday for what was described as its most ambitious shoot ever… in addition to red, white and blue (black?) Jaguar F-TYPES was a McLaren P1 hypercar (see right). The new series begins on Sunday, June 30th at 8pm, BBC Two.

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – storms continue in eastern Europe with red alerts for all Czech Republic. Amber alerts for northern Italy, Hungary, southern Austria and Serbia.

Weather in brief – lots of showers in north west Europe though UK largely dry. Dry and sunny Romania, Greece and Turkey. Hot and sunny Spain and Portugal, less so South of France.

Crossing the Channel – all DFDS sailings Harwich-Esbjerg have been cancelled until the end of the week (see below) following the incident on Saturday. No other operators currently reporting any delays.

From @Port_of_Dover this morning: …

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘Current forecast indicates slight sea conditions for the week.’

NOTES:

Eurotunnel – “Resurfacing works will be taking place in the boarding lanes of the UK Terminal from 17 – 28 June. During this period, there will be no catering or toilet facilities available in this area. Please visit the Victor Hugo Terminal building after you have checked in to make full use of the facilities available there.”

Brussels – a European Summit for Heads of State on Thursday and Friday (27 and 28 June) will mean the area around the EU buildings in the east of the city will be completely closed to all traffic and pedestrians. Residents are even being barred from putting out their rubbish. Click for more.

Bulgaria – after eleven straight days of protest against the recently elected government the British Embassy says, ‘There is a small risk of violence. Avoid large gatherings in public spaces and follow local media and the advice of the local authorities.’ For the latest FCO travel advice click here. For Bulgarian news in English see www.Novinite.com or @novinite_com on Twitter.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Germany – after five years, federal police (BKA – Bundeskriminalamt) have detained a man believed to be responsible for 700 random shootings on autobahns. The 57 year old professional driver was detained at his home in Nord Rhein Westphalia, western Germany, yesterday, according to a statement. The incidents started in July 2008 mainly targeting car transporters. Several serious injuries but no fatalities resulted. A change to more powerful ammunition last year saw the investigation move up a gear. The BKA will hold a press conference tomorrow.

Road safety – the 650,000 deer on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido caused over 2,500 accidents last year. In a bid to reduce the carnage transport operators are sprinkling wolf urine along the roads according to AFP. The effect lasts for a month. The wolf urine is imported from America.

Ferry – DFDS’ Sirena Seaways will be out of service until at least next Saturday (29 June). All departures until Friday have been cancelled. The vessel struck the berth at Harwich as it returned from its regular sailing from Esbjerg, Denmark. Nobody was injured. The ship is said to be holed below the water line. The DFDS service is the only regular sailing between UK-Scandinavia. Limited space is sometimes available on DFDS Tor Line boats between Immingham/Tilbury-Gothenburg.

A glitch, Rolls-Royce style: Pordoi aborted in favour of Falzarego. Click for the official blog/photos.

Saturday saw a spectacular gala dinner presided over by HRH the Duke of Gloucester for participants in the Rolls-Royce Rally, at Lake Garda. It marked the half way stage and also exactly 100 years since the start of the original 1913 rally. Since then, drivers have tackled the Dolomites in two stages, stopping in Moena overnight, taking in the Gobbera, Broccone, and Rolle Passes. The original plan to take the Pordoi Pass was aborted at the last moment in the face of a ‘very large and unexpected bicycle tour’ so they opted for the Falzarego Pass instead.. Oh well, it wouldn’t be a genuine adventure if it all went to plan. Next: Slovenia and Trieste.

Kazakhstan – a member of the lower legislative house Majilis last week proposed a ban on smoking while driving says Interfax. ‘Why is this still legal?’ asked Omarkhan Oxikbayev, also chairman of the national Accounts Committee. Italy and the Netherlands are considering similar bans. Smoking in the presence of under-16s, including in cars, is prohibited in Cyprus. Ireland and Finland are considering the issue.

France – another day, another road safety initiative. Addressing a road safety conference on Friday, interior minister Manuel Valls proposed cars should have ‘black box’ (boites noires) accident recorders, a move he points out is also being discussed around Europe and in America (not to be confused with UK insurance black boxes). The minister also restated the objective to reach 2,000 accident fatalities by 2020, down from 3,653 in 2012. Other ideas include a ban on hands-free phones that use earphones or headphones though embedded phones would be exempt. There is also some discussion that the age for driving unaccompanied should be reduced to 15 years old. Read thelocal.fr report, and the Liberation report.

Russia – a tractor driver has been caught after stealing a bridge in Frolovo in the south west Vologda region. The man had been intending to sell it for scrap metal but was apprehended after police followed drag marks to his house.

Meanwhile, a new law which will levy an approx. 6p per km ($0.11) charge for 12t trucks using federal roads met immediate opposition from the industry with ‘Turkish’ style protests planned, i.e. road blocks. The new legislation will come into force in November 2014. The exact number of heavy vehicles is unknown but reckoned to be around 1.5m. The system will be governed by on-board electronic units with revenues ring fenced for roads maintenance.

Belgium – motoring association Touring says its research shows a crash at 50kph multiplies the weight of unsecured luggage in the passenger compartment by fifty and can inflict fatal injuries even at that speed. It recommends using rear seatbelts to tie items down.

Bosnia – a brand new 5km section of dual carriageway opens this week between the brand new Bijaca international border point and one of Bosnia’s finest natural attractions, the Kravice Waterfalls. Only a few miles further on is the world’s second most visited Catholic pilgrimage site, Medjugorje. The new road, part of A1, was finished ahead of time and 6m BAM (£2.6m) below budget.

In related news a new direct road from southern Bosnia city of Capljina and the country’s sole coastal resort Neum got the go-ahead last week. The existing road winds around the mountains so drivers commonly drive through Croatia instead. With Croatia joining the EU from 1 July however crossing two Schengen borders will be impractical. The Bosnian authorities perhaps belatedly see the new road as high priority. The funding instrument is almost in place. Construction should start by the end of the year.

Poland – the Director General of National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) has announced tenders for four new motorways: one section each of S5 (Wielkopolskie) and S7 (Warminsko-Mazurskie), and two sections of S19 (Podkarpackie). Nine more tenders will be announced before the end of June says the New Poland Express, and a further 450km-worth in the second half of 2013 (for a yearly total of 700km). The GDDKiA rep at the EC’s Road Charging conference in December famously announced that, from 2015, Poland would become ‘a massive building site’ as its ambitious roads programme was put into full effect. The UKTI website has more information and advice on road and motorway construction in Poland. Also see this easy guide in English from the Turkish Ministry of Economy. Only contracts less than €5.2m appear on the EU TED’s tender site while GDDKiA has a preference for short 10-15km road sections.

Montenegro – 18 people have died and 29 injured after a coach plunged 40m off a bridge in Montenegro, apparently in heavy rain. The victims are all from Romania. The accident happened on the Kolasin-Podgorica road at the Grlo Bridge according to the official report, some 30km north of Podgorica. The mountainous area is a known accident hotspot in the tourist season according to reports.

Technology – Telegraph Travel has advice on the cheapest way to make mobile phone calls when on holiday in Europe, hopefully soon to be obsolete when roaming charges are outlawed next year.

Turkey/Georgia – a new border point at Cildir will cut the transit time from Turkey’s eastern province of Ardahan to Azerbaijan from the current four hours to under 2h30. It was opened last week by Turkey’s President Gul.

EU – in its monthly roundup, the European Commission has collared Belgium, Portugal, Romania, France and the UK for infringements in Transport. Belgium is yet to transpose directives on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), for instance real time warnings about dangerous road conditions ahead (via the Belgian Road Rage twitter feed – @BE_RoadRage – DriveEurope is detecting increased dissatisfaction with road conditions in the country). Separately Belgium and Portugal have not taken ‘action regarding safety management of road infrastructure’ including road safety audits and safety rankings. Romanian authorities are in breach of EU Public Procurement rules over the upgrading of the Crasna-Iasi highway having relied on national law which does not include, for instance, ‘full right of effective review’ for failed bidders. The infringement roundup also includes last week’s widely reported failure of the UK and France to ensure a fully independent regulator for the Channel Tunnel, and for continued high access charges.

Separately, European Commission Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas met with the UK Transport Select Committee in Brussels today and discussed, among other things, ‘how to boost Channel Tunnel use,’ according to his twitter feed (@SiimKallasEU).

Bulgaria – the 101 year anniversary of the liberation of Pirin Macedonia in southern Bulgaria from Ottoman rule has sparked protests in Blagoevgrad over the recent election of the District Governor from the minority Turkish-ethnic DPS party. Demonstrators say they will block the important E79 road south to the Greece border at noon on Wednesday unless Musa Palev resigns. ‘Road blocks will be staged every week in the following order: the Ilinden and Kulata border crossing points, main road E-79 near Sandaski, Simitli and Strumlyani until this person understands that he is not wanted,’ one protestor told news agency Novinite.com today.

Also – a lack of road signs, and places to buy the road vignettes needed for both Romania and Bulgaria – and no connecting infrastructure at either end – are fuelling the feeling that last week’s opening of Danube 2 was premature. The bridge has been the subject of several reports on Bulgarian television. Despite this, Danube 2 is proving popular, perhaps because tolls will not be levied until 1 July.

Driving in France 2013. Everything we know.

Posted on June 21, 2013

Everything we know about driving in France – from speeding, tolls, ferries, Priority to the Right, roundabouts and driving in Paris.

Welcome to France. Note that the limit on autoroute is reduced from 130kph to 110kph in the rain. Also, in fair conditions and light traffic the minimum speed in the leftmost lane is 80kph.

Welcome to France. Note that the limit on ‘autoroute’ motorways is reduced from 130kph to 110kph in the rain (i.e. when windscreen wipers are needed). Also, in fair conditions and light traffic the minimum speed in the leftmost lane is 80kph.

SPEEDING

2012 was a record breaking year for road deaths in France, the lowest since records began. Traffic police really have the bit between their teeth having identified speeding as the major factor.

With foreign motorists guilty of almost a quarter of offences – 50% in the summer – you are top of the list.

As well as 400 new unmarked speeding cameras, the latest wheeze is plainclothes Renault Megane police cars equipped with radar guns. In two months of operation 10,000 motorists have been caught. Fatal accidents were further reduced by 27% in March and 15% in April this year.

Photo via @UKinFrance, the official Twitter feed of the British Embassy.

Photo via @UKinFrance, the British Embassy twitter feed.

If you get caught

In the good old days, French police escorted you to a cashpoint. These days they keep hold of your documents while you go on your own. Police do not accept credit or debit cards. You must give them the exact amount in cash.

Speeding penalties come in three classes – three, four and five – depending on how far over the limit you are, and whether you are caught in town or on the open road/motorway.

Class three is for less than 20kph over a limit of 50kph. The fine is €68 cut to €45 for immediate payment.

Class four is for less than 20kph when the limit is 50kph, or – when the limit is over 50kph – in three 10kph bands: +20-30kph, 30-40kph and 40-50kph. The standard fine is €135 (reduced to €90 for immediate payment) but for the latter two categories you enter a grey area where the courts can get involved and your licence can be confiscated (for up to three years). If your licence is taken away, somebody else has to drive.

Note – ‘Every year,’ says the British Embassy in Paris, ‘the French authorities send us a large number of driving licences that have been confiscated after speeding offences.’ Meanwhile, the AA says, ‘Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40kph will have their licences confiscated on the spot by police.’ The British Embassy forwards licences to the DVLA who send them back to the owner, or reissue, depending.

A class five offence is for doing 50kph+ on the open road/motorway, or more than 20kph in a 50kph zone. The fine is €1,500 (no reduction*), your licence can be taken away and your car confiscated. Get caught twice for a class five offence and the penalty is all the above plus a €3,750 fine and possibly three months in prison.

* we’ve heard lots of anecdotal evidence after Le Mans that the €1,500 fine is in fact reduced to €750 for immediate payment. Also, read this 2009 blog from Historic Racer on being caught speeding in France.

Tolerance

Don’t feel you have to drive with eyes anxiously scanning for Les Flics. The authorities maintain they are only after excessive speeders. The margin for error on radar traps is quite generous. Stationary radar is 5kph up to 100kph then 5%. Mobile radar is 10kph up to 100kph then 10%. Remember this is actual speed. Your speedo overestimates (by as much as 10%).

While we’re at it, radar detectors were outlawed last year (€30,000 fine, vehicle and device confiscation). This includes satnav systems where speed cameras are marked as ‘points of interest’. Campaigning organisation ‘40 millions d’Automobiliste’ has compiled this crowd-sourced map of what they consider to be sneaky speed camera locations. The fine for driving while using a mobile phone is €130.

sources: UKinFrance; legifrance.gouv.fr; wikipedia.fr; pistonheads.com; thelocal.fr

KIT

The on again off again law that all drivers should have two approved breathalysers in the car is on again – even if the fine for not having them is suspended. But like everything else you need (see below) not having breathalysers could tip the balance in a confrontation with police. Since they are so cheap £5.99 for a two-pack from Halfords it’s sensible to stock up.

(BTW: The French drink drive limit is 50mg per 100ml of blood, significantly less than the UK level of 80mg. Read the Daily Mail/Transport Research Laboratory study into how much different kinds of people can drink before breaching the 50mg and 80mg limits.)

As well as a driving licence, V5C logbook and proof of insurance you need a GB badge (if there’s no EU logo on your numberplate), headlamp adaptors (unless your lights switch automatically), a warning triangle in case of breakdown and a hi-viz vest (kept within reach of the driver’s seat).

Advisory items include your MOT certificate to prove roadworthiness (especially for modified cars) and spare headlamp bulbs (and specs if you need them). Everything can be bought at the port, or on the boat.

Pretty expensive: the A89 between Bordeaux and Lyon.

Road tolls

There’s not much you can do about road tolls in France. It’s an issue when the 987km between Calais and Avignon costs €71.60 (check toll rates at mappy.com).

If you really hate paying tolls, check out this official map of the free autoroutes. Apart from the odd one here and there, in general the free roads are in the north west, on the peripheries and – particularly – the A16 from Calais and Dunkerque to the Belgian border. For those going to east France, or even south, consider heading this way, via Brussels and Luxembourg. It’s only 21km further to Nancy than the direct route, you avoid the €35.80 toll plus fuel in Luxembourg is the cheapest in western Europe. This week it’s €1.32/l petrol and €1.19/l diesel according to Dutch touring club @ANWBeuropa.

Note: the French Association of Road Operators publishes a list and map of motorways annotated with toll rates. It’s complicated and in French only but is useful for comparing toll rates on different routes. Click here.

An autoroute that used to be free the A63 between Bordeaux and the Spanish border has recently been taken into the paid network.. But it has been spruced up and is half price (€3.15) until the third lane opens at the end of the year.

The alternatives to autoroutes are the Route Nationale main roads. They can be glorious, but those not content to dawdle through towns and villages consign themselves to a travel time warp in which the scenery is the axles of successive HGVs and the conversation is limited to, ‘Can I overtake now?’

If you cannot save money on the motorways then you can at least save time by signing up for the SANEF Liber-T tag. It allows you to pass through the freeflow automated lanes and avoid the queues at the cash/card barriers. We were surprised to learn that 20,000 UK drivers now have the tags since the scheme launched last year. It costs €40 to set up (€20 refundable), is normally issued within a few days and you can use it to pay at VINCI car parks too. Be aware though that at peak times it’s not unknown for there to be queues in the auto lanes while the low tech lanes are empty…

Tolls also apply to infrastructure like bridges and tunnels. The famous Millau Viaduct on the A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Montpellier is just €8.90 each way (and you can pay automatically with the SANEF tag). But the Frejus and Mont Blanc Tunnels are a shocking €40.90 each way and you have to pay manually. See our Traffic/Travel/Weather page for more.

FRANCE - approaching La Tour du Pin, south east France, between Chambéry and Lyon on Route Nationale 6, September 2011.

In control: on Route Nationale 6 between Chambéry and Lyon, south east France.

Priority to the Right.

They say Priority to the Right is obsolete but they are only half right. Most traffic on main roads does indeed now have priority over junctions on the right but only because of the increasingly common yellow diamond priority signs (above).

In France they have priority zones, starting with a yellow diamond sign and ending with the same but crossed in black. If you have just passed a black crossed yellow diamond sign then any vehicles approaching from roads on your right – apart from car parks, private premises and dirt tracks – are entitled to pull out in front of you when it is safe to do so.

Roundabouts

Never worry about going the wrong way around a roundabout. Road engineers feed you in the right direction.

Traditionally however cars pulling on to roundabouts had right of way. This is also steadily dying out as the almost ubiquitous ‘Cedez le Passage’ give-way signs on the approach to roundabouts make clear.

We’ve recently begun to conceive of Continental roundabouts merely as convenient places to U-turn (or turn left). Treat them like this, or be prepared to, and there’s no problem.

Brittany Ferries started a high speed Portsmouth-Le Havre service in May.

Ferries

It’s business as usual for the time being at MyFerryLink despite a recent Competition Commission ruling that the Eurotunnel-backed operator was unfair competition to DFDS and P&O on the Dover Strait.

Otherwise, the big ferry news this year is Brittany Ferries starting a new route from Portsmouth to Le Havre to compete with the existing LD Lines/DFDS service.

The Brittany Ferries service is by high speed catamaran, sailing Thursday to Sunday. It takes 3h45, departing 07:00 from Portsmouth and returning at 12:30. Prices start at £139 each way for a car+2 passengers.

The DFDS/LD Lines service is by conventional ferry, sailing each way every day. The leg from Portsmouth is overnight, 23:00-08:00 while the return is 17:00-21:30. Five day returns start from £120 but for peak time sailings (with cabin) the price can be two or three times that.

Le Havre’s big claim to fame is being at the mouth of the River Seine which makes finding your way the 200km to Paris ultra simple. Just follow that river!

Driving in Paris: daunting but not dangerous. Make the most of it while you still can.

Driving in Paris.

The primary advice for driving in Paris is the same as for every other city: don’t believe the hype. Take it from us who have now driven in almost every major European city, the congestion is the same as everywhere else and so are the driving standards.

The advice here is really for regulars: Paris is changing for drivers. Satnavs will definitely not cope with the ever-expanding Paris-Plage city beach along the Seine in the summer while more and more streets are being reserved for public transport and taxis. Plus, new 30kph speed limits are proliferating.

Meanwhile, an EU crack down on air pollution will see the limit on the Peripherique ring road reduced from 80kmh to 70kmh ‘before the summer’ (and there are plans to reduce it even further to 50kmh…)

One thing you don’t have to worry about in Paris (or any other French city, for the time being) are low emission (LEZ) or congestion zones. Until next year at least, classic and vintage cars are still allowed in the city centre. Do it while you still can.

Fuel in France: not as cheap as it used to be.

Finally, fuel.

The days when it was significantly cheaper to refuel in France are long gone. @ANWBeuropa tweeted on Tuesday (18.6.13) that the average price of unleaded in France is €1.62/l and diesel €1.45/l.

That approximates to £1.39 and £1.24 respectively compared to the average UK price of petrol at £1.33 and diesel at £1.38 in May, according to the AA Fuel Price survey.

We’d be interested to hear about your experiences with French police or any other aspect of driving in France. Please leave your comments below.

Read the AA’s Driving in France advice here, and the RAC’s here.

Daily Brief 21 June 2013

Posted on June 21, 2013

Latest update 19:40

News: 4,200 speed cameras for France – Dashcams illegal in Luxembourg – hands-free text ‘dangerous’ – Russia $13.6bn infrastructure plan/hooligan priests – 36mpg 911 – Albania MPs in most traffic violations

Day 7 Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally: “Day of Reckoning” on the Stelvio Pass

Follow the Alpine Rally here. For a map of Stelvio click here.

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – Red warning high temps Croatia and Montenegro. Amber for high temps (and storms) surrounding countries up to the Baltic. Amber warning heavy rain south Norway and east Spain.

France & Germany flood/storm alerts from earlier in the week now downgraded.

Weather in brief – hot and sunny Italy, Greece & Turkey otherwise cloudy, rain and possibly thunder pretty much everywhere else.

Crossing the Channel – Condor Ferries says: ‘Due to adverse weather Saturday’s 13:15 departure from Poole will now depart at 12:00.’ Click for more.

Brittany Ferries: ‘21/06 Portsmouth to Cherbourg – We’re sorry to advise that this afternoon’s sailing is delayed by 30 minutes, due to the ship running at a reduced speed this morning. Latest check- in time will be 15:30hrs.’

No other operators currently reporting any delays.

From @Port_of_Dover this afternoon, ‘Here in Dover sea conditions in the Channel are moderate with a South Westerly breeze, force 6, and the visibility is moderate.’

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘The current forecast indicates rough sea conditions over the weekend. Services may be subject to weather delay.’

NOTES:

Luxembourg – the north-south 7 Cote d’Eich road has been closed after being washed away following heavy rain this week. Diversions are in place and repairs effected but as it’s the major road out of the city centre in the north congestion will be heavy.

Plymouth Port – Brittany Ferries tweeted yesterday: ‘There are road works at the exit from Plymouth port, we have arrangements in place with the City Council to minimise possible delays..’

Bulgaria – on-going – peaceful – demonstrations in cities, for the last week. They are set to continue with one report saying the country, after an absolutely torrid year, could be ‘on the edge of revolution’.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

France – the government has announced it is to up the speed camera count to 4,200 by the end of the year according to thelocal.fr. More details to follow.

Albania – a report by BalkanInsight says the country’s politicians are some of the worst offenders when it comes to traffic violations, and to paying up for them. Albania is shortly to hold a landmark General Election.

Any excuse to feature a 911: but this car with that number plate has driven the 650km to Le Mans at an average 36mpg according to @PorscheGB_PR. Impressive.

Technology – according to The Economist – quite the place to get all your driving news these days – “a study has shown that hands-free texting is more distracting to drivers than using a mobile phone”.

Luxembourg – as devices which can record number plates and recognisable images of people, dashcams – on-board CCTV cameras in vehicles – are illegal in Luxembourg.

Russia – as well as an amnesty for jailed businessmen (not thought to include Mikhail Khordokovsky), President Putin also announced today a major infrastructure investment, $13.6bn – 400bn roubles – on three projects: a railway Moscow-Kazan in the east, an upgrade for the Trans-Siberian railway and a massive new ring road around Moscow, making three ring roads around the city in total. No word on when any of the projects will be complete yet but the state funds will be used to leverage private investment.

Who knew but apparently Russian clergy have a reputation for reckless driving at the wheel of their luxury cars. Orthodox priest Pavel Semin, driving a Mercedes G-Wagen, was apparently involved in a tragic incident in which two road workers died last August. Reportedly he has now admitted his involvement after some allegedly dodgy dealings. Other priests have since been warned to not drive flashy cars and observe the rules of the road.

Daily Brief 20 June 2013

Posted on June 20, 2013

Latest update 19:10

Extreme weather across Continent – ~~slight delay Brittany Ferries Ports-Le Havre-Ports.~~

Other news: Luxembourg aquaplaning warning – Eurotunnel ‘overcharging’ – Germany road buckling – Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally – new road opens to the Kravice waterfalls – damning report on Poland crash rates as road building bill row rumbles on

Hitler hit-and-run: This road safety ad by Romanian agency Publicis was actually first released last November but having been presented at this week’s Cannes Lion ‘Festival of Creativity’ is causing controversy all over again. What do you think? Is it thought provoking or merely provoking? Two similar ads in the series feature Stalin and Saddam Hussein.

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – Red alerts for high temperatures in Germany (area shrinking) and north central Croatia. Also amber alerts for flooding/storms east and south west France (downgraded from red). Other amber storm/rain/flooding alerts in much of central and east Europe.

Read the latest on the storm situation in France here. For how the heat is affecting Italy see here.

Weather in brief – warm though with cloud and rain in north west and south west, getting hot further east and cooler further north. Rain across Alps regions.

Crossing the Channel – ~~15min delay currently from UK on~~ Eurotunnel. ~~Slight delay Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth-Le Havre-Portsmouth.~~ No other operators currently reporting any delays.

From @Port_of_Dover this afternoon, ‘Here in Dover sea conditions in the Channel are calm with a light Southerly breeze, force 1, and the visibility is moderate.’

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘The current forecast indicates moderate sea conditions, becoming slight towards the end of the week.’

NOTES:

Plymouth Port – Brittany Ferries tweeted earlier – ‘There are road works at the exit from Plymouth port, we have arrangements in place with the City Council to minimise possible delays..’

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Rolls-Royce Alpine Rally: the latest

It’s day six of the Rolls-Royce Alpine Trail, in Austria and Italy, from Seefeld to Solda and an afternoon run up the Stelvio Pass. Click the link above for the official blog.

Yesterday was day six of the Rolls-Royce Alpine Trail, in Austria and Italy, from Seefeld to Solda and an afternoon run up the Stelvio Pass. Click the link above for the official blog.

Luxembourg – motorway aquaplaning warning on motorways today after heavy showers.

Eurotunnel – the European Commission is accusing Eurotunnel regulator the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) of overcharging to use the Channel Tunnel. Eurotunnel is distancing itself from the row. Read its response here. See the commission’s charge-sheet here.

Germany – a draft manifesto from the ruling CDU party, lead by Angela Merkel, ahead of elections later this year pledges to spend €25bn on the road network over the next four years.

Meanwhile, the heatwave in Germany is causing concrete carriageways to buckle, up to 50cm in the air. One person has died in an accident caused by the disintegrating roads so far. The problem seems to be limited to southern areas and concrete roads.

Bosnia – it might only by 5km long but the brand new road between the also brand new international border point at Bijaca and Kravice means speedy access to one of Bosnia’s most spectacular natural attractions: the Kravice Waterfalls. Not much further away is the world’s second most visited Catholic shrine, Medugorje, all in the southernmost part of the country within easy reach of Ploce on the Croatian coast. The new road was finished ahead of time and will open for traffic next week.

Croatia/Bosnia – an agreement governing cross-border traffic between the two countries was finally signed in Brussels yesterday. As late as Tuesday afternoon it looked like the deal might not happen. While of itself it does not solve all the cross-border issues between the two countries as Croatia moves towards accession to the EU on 1 July, it does establish a fresh legal basis on which the solution to these problems can be based.

Belgium – a large scale operation against UK-bound ‘people smuggling’ at a notorious industrial estate in the coastal/border town of Veurne failed to find any illegal immigrants. 53 trucks were searched at the popular refuelling point.

Poland – The venerable Economist publishes a scathing piece on the accident rates in Poland – nearly four times the UK rate for fatalities – as the country embarks upon an ambitious road building programme. No mention of the row over unpaid construction bills we reported on Monday oddly. Prime minister Donald Tusk is ‘not impressed’ by the claims and will not bow to ‘political pressure’ says Reuters.

Daily Brief 19 June 2013

Posted on June 19, 2013

Latest update 19:00

Flood emergency France, 43 Departments on alert – ‘extreme high temperature’ Germany – DFDS DoverCalais and Brittany Ferries Ports-Le Havre-Ports delay.

Other news in brief: all Swiss mountain passes now open – Benelux cross border enforcement tragedy – Portugal traffic fines out of date

Totalitarian chic: from an exhibition of Intourist posters advertising (among other things) adventurous driving holidays in the former USSR. Held at the new GRAD Gallery, 3-4a Little Portland Street, London W1W until 31 August. Partial repro of ‘Georgian Military Highway’ by Aleksandr Zhitomirsky, 1939.

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – via UKinFrance: Red alert (immediate general threat to security of people and property) for #floods issued for the #Pyrenees.

NEW: 43 departments in the north east and south west of France are on alert for storms and flooding.

Also amber warnings for storms north east France; and for high temperatures in much of central and east Europe.

NEW: ‘extreme high temperature’ alert for the whole of Germany, today and tomorrow, ranging from 32-38°C.

Weather in brief – Hot in central and eastern Europe but some thunderstorms too. Cloudy and rainy elsewhere.

Crossing the Channel – reduced service today and tomorrow DFDS Dover-Calais due to tech hitch.

Brittany Ferries – Portsmouth-Le Havre-Portsmouth – ‘We’re sorry to advise sailings on 20/06/2013 will be delayed due to an engine fault which has slightly reduced the vessel’s operating speed. 20/06/2013 07:00 departure from Portsmouth will now arrive at 12:00 20/06/2013 12:30 departure from Le Havre will now depart at 12:45 and arrive at 16:00.’

From @Port_of_Dover this afternoon, ‘Here in Dover sea conditions in the Channel are slight with a North Easterly breeze, force 3, and the visibility is moderate.’

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘The current forecast indicates moderate sea conditions, becoming slight towards the end of the week.’

NOTES:

Bulgaria – the sixth day of demonstrations in Sofia and other major cities. Some violent clashes with police.

Brussels – Traffic congestion due to taxi strike on Wednesday 19 June from 10 am to 1 pm: North station – small ring road – Rue de la Régence.

Berlin – Central Berlin ‘completely locked down’ ahead of President Obama’s speech later at the Brandenburg Gate.

Turkey – the situation remains uncertain after widespread demonstrations in recent weeks, particularly Istanbul and Ankara. Keep up to date with the latest official advice here.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Switzerland – all mountain passes in Switzerland are now open. The Susten Pass in the Bernese Oberland opened yesterday.

A moody Panamera at the facelifted Porsche’s international press launch in Elmau, Bavaria yesterday.

A moody Panamera pic at the facelifted Porsche’s international press launch in Elmau, Bavaria yesterday.

Belgium – a serial flouter of traffic laws has been jailed for 59 months, fined €45,000 and banned for life by a court in Antwerp. According to previous reports, the 41 year old man had been caught speeding and ignoring road signs on 21 separate occasions and had been in line for a 29 year sentence.

Portugal – nearly 25% of traffic fines in 2012 – or 370,000 tickets – were torn up for being outside the Statute of Limitations says The Portugal News. Chronic understaffing is blamed. Total fines in 2012 were €84m, slightly down on 2011, the shortfall explained by motorists being more willing to challenge.

Benelux – a cross border police operation went tragically wrong at the weekend when a driver fleeing officers in Luxembourg collided with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The driver of the other vehicle was cut free and is in a serious condition. The miscreant was later apprehended. In all 32 people were arrested in Operation Etoile, from 13-16 June, tackling drugs and drug tourism, involving 364 police and customs officers from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Vehicles were checked on motorways and country lanes. Passengers on trains and buses were also questioned. Such cross border initiatives will play an increasing role in EU crime fighting. Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas threatened legal action on Monday against any countries failing to transpose the regulations by the end of this year.

Daily Brief 18 June 2013

Posted on June 18, 2013

Last update 18:00

Red alerts flash floods south west France and extreme temperatures Montenegro.

DFDS Dover-Calais cancellations today and tomorrow for technical reasons. Click for more.

Flashfloods: the Esplanade webcam, Lourdes, south west France this afternoon

in brief: Serb Presidential seatbelt campaign – Condor countdown to Weymouth – Hungary HU-GO go – Norway Tesla model S test – Stockholm bus land Princess – Poland road building bills – Rolls Royce Alpine Rally start – Russian road safety gains & road toll plans for Moscow – fuel card decree Belarus

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – the ‘Sahara Heat Hammer’ is well and truly taking hold in Central Europe. Amber alerts for high temperatures in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia and – particularly – Montenegro (red alert) – but also consequent storms in places.

Meanwhile, storms and heavy rain continue down the west side of France and north east of Spain. According to @UKinFrance: ‘French met office have issued red alert (#rain, #floods) for Haute-Pyrenées (south west France). Take extra care, follow advice.’

Also, the Italian met service has issued extreme heat alerts for 14 cities as temperatures and humidity are forecast to soar.

Weather in brief – Thundery rain in western Europe but dry and sunny to the east.

Crossing the Channel – DFDS Dover-Calais: technical hitch forces cancellations this evening and tomorrow. Click link for more. No other operators currently reporting any delays.

From @Port_of_Dover this afternoon, ‘Here in Dover sea conditions in the Channel are slight with a West Sou Westerly light airs, force 1, and the visibility is moderate.’

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘The current forecast indicates moderate sea conditions, becoming slight towards the end of the week.’

NOTES:

Turkey – the situation remains uncertain after widespread demonstrations in recent weeks, particularly Istanbul and Ankara. Keep up to date with the latest official advice here.

Spain – a rabid dog was caught and destroyed in Toledo at the weekend, the first incidence of rabies in the country since 1978. Click for the official advice.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

The Channel – Channel Islands, UK & France operator Condor Ferries is set to resume sailings from Weymouth on Wednesday 17 July. Sailings were moved from the port, the closest to the Channel Islands, in February 2012 after structural problems with the berth but repairs are now almost complete, though the work hasn’t been easy according to ferryonline.co.uk.

Hungary – the eToll system of electronic tolls for trucks – now rechristened HU-GO – mired in controversy after the firm selected to build and operate the system pulled out – will go ahead as planned from 1 July. The system is mandatory for vehicles over 3.5t and varies depending on the number of axles. The government is expecting – indeed relying on – ‘a significant increase in revenues from international transit traffic’. Drivers can pay either via an on-board electronic device or by pre-paid ticket. A dedicated portal www.hu-go.hu should open from 20 June. The system was expected to be optional for car drivers though there is no word on that yet. All drivers need to buy an eVignette to drive on Hungarian motorways, available from garages, border points, etc. Tickets are daily, weekly (10 days) or monthly. Daily tickets for cars are 3,375HUF (£9.90); weekly 8,255HUF (£24.90). For the full price list click here.

Road safety Serb style

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is fronting a road safety campaign from the back seat of his official limo. The film is aimed at improving seatbelt use in the country. 58% wear belts in the front but only 3% do so in the rear. Click the link above for the vid.

Norway – motoring programme Autofil tested a fully-loaded US-spec Tesla Model S in wintery conditions to assess its cold weather abilities, no holds barred, on a 270km drive from Oslo to Geilo (a climb of 800m). See the subtitled video here.

Poland – Ambassadors from six EU countries have clubbed together to demand apparently outstanding payments due from completed road building projects according to Reuters and local reports. Companies from Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Austria and Germany say they are owed an ‘unusual and unprecedented’ £2bn and that the country’s reputation is being damaged as a result. The Polish roads ministry GDDKiA disputes the account saying works have not been completed to the required standard.

Comment: until it can be proved beyond doubt that the money is owed as described we are 100% behind the Poles on this one. We hear about lots of disputes between construction companies and national authorities over the standard of works complete or broken promises, the latest in Romania. Perhaps UK companies will shrug at this seeming confirmation of all stereotypes about doing business in former Soviet-bloc countries. We say: this is a huge opportunity for British companies, seemingly the only country not included on this sad roll-call. For advice on doing business in the region look no further than Lord Browne’s interview with the BBC’s HARDtalk on 30 April 2013, on ‘Putin’s Russia’: ‘Provided that you were doing things which were clear and simple and for the benefit of Russia, and your own benefit, and you never changed strategy you could get things done.’ Despite the subsequent controversy over BP-TNK, BP in fact made six times its original investment on the deal.

The Finnish-British civil architects WSP Finland has won a design competition for a 3km landmark road/tram/pedestrian bridge linking eastern island suburb Laajasalo with the centre of Helsinki. The proposed structure won plaudits for its ‘light and airy’ design. Construction should start in 2018 all being well. The company recently won an award for its Crusell Bridge in the west of the city. WSP operates worldwide, including Poland and Romania. Brave!

Finnish-British civil architects WSP Finland has won a design competition for a 3km landmark road/tram/pedestrian bridge linking eastern island suburb Laajasalo with the centre of Helsinki. The proposed structure won plaudits for its ‘light and airy’ design. Construction should start in 2018 all being well. The company recently won an award for its Crusell Bridge in the west of the city. WSP operates worldwide, including Poland and Romania. Brave!

Sweden – newly married Princess Madeleine was collared for driving her black Volvo in a Stockholm bus lane shortly before the wedding earlier this month. The will-they-won’t-they-can-they-can’t-they flip flopping over whether she should pay the £100 fine is causing some controversy..

Rolls Royce 1913 alpine Rally re-run

See the official 2013 Alpine Rally blog here – see our original story here.

Forty eight Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts, including one of the modern incarnation, have set off on the recreation of the 1913 Alpine Trial. Currently in Austria, having already tackled the 27% Katschberg Pass, the cars will no proceed to Italy and Slovenia. Keep up to date with the action via the links above.

Russia – a tweet from @AGRE_RoadSafety this morning (via @edijk_nl) says: ‘The road safety efforts in Russia have brought results: 5 months statistics demonstrate 7,9% deaths decrease compare to the same period 2012.’

An in-depth report from The Moscow Times says tolls will become the norm on roads in the region, including the new M11 to St Petersburg. Click here for the map of road building in the area.

Belarus – a decree signed by President Lukashenko on 13 June allows for tolls on the country’s highways to be paid by fuel card, including in Belorussian or Russian roubles, US dollars or euros for foreign-owned vehicles. Click for the full statement.

Daily Brief 17 June 2013

Posted on June 17, 2013

Last update 18:15

in brief: Le Mans – Spain toll roads trouble – Toilet vouchers flushed away – clear way for Peljesac Bridge – new official WW1 battlefield driving routes Belgium – rabies Toledo – EU road safety moves – Jaguar sales boon – non-helmet wearing cyclist 20% at fault – new Karawanke Tunnel hot spot detector

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – Very changeable weather in west/south Europe. Check link for latest, but so far: amber warnings for high temperatures south west Germany, Hungary and Montenegro. Storms in north east Spain.

Most alarming are the storms in the ~~Paris region~~ and south and west France. See here for a news report.

Weather in brief – rain/storms in Western Europe becoming very warm and sunny in central and eastern areas. Mixed weather in Spain.

Crossing the Channel – No operators reporting any current delays.

Latest @CF_travel_news forecast: ‘The current forecast indicates moderate sea conditions, becoming slight towards the end of the week.’

NOTES:

Turkey – the atmosphere remains febrile according to widespread reports following big demonstrations over the weekend, and incidents involving tourist hotels in Istanbul. Keep up to date with the latest official advice here.

Spain – a rabid dog was caught and destroyed in Toledo at the weekend, the first incidence of rabies in the country since 1978. Click for the official advice.

Luxembourg – a rehearsal for the National Day celebrations will see several roads in the city centre closed this evening.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Cars – Tata Motors-owned Jaguar enjoyed a bumper month on the back of its new F-TYPE launch. The company sold 7,061 vehicles in May 2013. According to Automotive News Europe that’s a rise of 63%. Land Rover sales fell by 6%.

EU – Denmark has won this year’s EU road safety award for cutting serious injuries by 18%, twice the average rate across the bloc. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas says they are now back on track to achieving a 50% cut in road deaths by 2020 compared to 2010. As impressive results are achieved in reducing fatalities, the Commission now turns to serious injuries. 1.5m people are seriously hurt each year costing 2% in GDP says Kallas. He also says the Commission will not hesitate to take action against any member state not transposing cross-border enforcement directive by its end of this year deadline.

Belgium – The West Flemish Tourist Board already has a number of set routes to take in WW1 battlefield important sites. Out this month is ‘Life at the Front’ taking in the region around Poperinge. Click for the official webpage here, and details of other routes, or local media reports here.

Ready, steady.. Le Mans 2013

Click for the British Embassy advice for Le Mans race goers.

‘Looking forward to driving down this stretch of road at over 300kph in a few days time!’ tweeted racing driver and F1 pundit @AntDavidson over the weekend. It is of course the Le Mans 24 Hours on Saturday. Scrutineering started yesterday with practice and qualifying due from Wednesday. Click the link above for the official website.

Germany – a judge said a woman who received serious head injuries after colliding with an opening car door was 20% responsible for the accident because she was not wearing a helmet according to this report.

Spain – problems for the country’s toll roads have not gone away according to reports in the Olive Press. We reported last year that the situation was becoming critical as recession bound traffic levels were far below projections (though the statistics seem suspiciously similar). Meanwhile, summer season tariffs have just been introduced. The threat is that the roads could be closed though not sure how realistic that prospect is. The reports come a week after similar fears in Portugal.

Germany – 20% of redeemable toilet vouchers are just thrown away according to figures from one service station operator as reported in thelocal.de following recent controversy that only 50c of the 70c charge to use the facilities is reclaimable at the till (despite the widely publicised price increase we were only charged 50c on our recent visit to Germany). It’s awkward because it’s natural to fill up and use the shop before using the loos. The vouchers are valid for at least twelve months though in Germany they cannot be used against fuel purchases as they can in Austria. Similar voucher schemes operate in most western European countries.

Germany’s historic Highway Churches are the subject of a photo-feature in Deutsche Welle this week. Far from dying out, the roadside places of worship – many of which have free toilets! – often have striking modern architecture.

Bosnia/Croatia – Bosnian authorities will not object to the oft-controversial Peljesac Bridge according to reports. The bridge will bypass the Bosnian land corridor at Neum and directly link the Croatian annexe with the rest of the country. There have been concerns that a bridge would restrict access to the port at Neum as we reported in May.

Austria/Slovenia – a unique laser hotspot detector has been installed at the Austrian north end of the Karawanke Tunnel. In one week of operation, ahead of the toll booths, it has already stopped one overheating truck from entering. The detector generates a 3D picture of the vehicle compares actual and expected temperatures. In case of overheating an alarm sounds and the vehicle can be stopped from entering the 8km tunnel.

Daily Brief 14 June 2013

Posted on June 14, 2013

Last update 18:25

in brief: Floods latest – Danube 2 ‘New Europe Bridge’ is open! – McLaren P1 ride competition – DFDS £19 ticket sale – new UK road tolls call – Portuguese tolls roads trouble – Azerbaijan core network by 2015

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – no red or amber alerts for anywhere in Europe currently. Some patches of yellow warnings, mainly in Germany for high winds (now receding). With the ‘Sahara Heat Hammer’ due next week the horrible weather is shortly to be a distant memory.

To keep up to date with the aftermath of the floods, mainly now in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria see @KGeorgievaEU. She tweeted at 16:00: ‘Latest update on Central Europe #floods. Situation improving but not over yet,’ and the picture below (click for full size):

Central European floods as at 16:00 Friday

Weather in brief – cloudy with patches of rain In Germany and east wards, otherwise sunny – even hot – in places. Best forecast for weeks.

Crossing the Channel – after yesterday’s bad weather, Condor Ferries reports: ‘The weather forecast for Friday is looking much better! Sailings are expected to operate as scheduled.’ However they have bad news for the weekend: ‘The current forecast indicates moderate to rough sea conditions over the weekend.’

According to Dover Port this afternoon: ‘Sea conditions in the Channel are slight with a South Westerly breeze, force 4 and the visibility is good.’

No operators reporting any current delays.. though Condor does warn about delays getting to Jersey port this evening because of a film premier:

NOTES:

Luxembourg – diversions will be in place all weekend from tonight 20:00 on the busy A3 from Croix de Gasperich to Aire de Berchem (the biggest services/booze/fags shop). Click for details.

Turkey – protests in major cities are on-going. The FCO advice is for ‘all British nationals to avoid demonstrations’. Click here for the latest.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – protests are also on-going in central Sarajevo, peaceful so far. Click here for latest advice.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Bulgaria/Romania – It’s taken 19 years, but the second bridge over the mega mile Danube border between the two south east Balkan countries officially opened this afternoon. We’re currently going to town on a feature, out soon, including why the Bulgarian President felt unable to attend at the last minute..

DFDS – offering 20,000 tickets at £19 each way on its Dover-Dunkirk route for travel booked before 30 July and used before 31 July (selected sailings).

Prize drive McLaren P1

Enter the Forza Motorsport competition to win a ride in the McLaren P1 at this year’s Goodwood festival of Speed. Click the link above.

Road tolls UK – Another day, another report calling for road tolls in the UK. This time from the radical Institute for Economic Affairs, Margaret Thatcher’s old favourite. The IEA says, ‘Customers, not governments, should determine the amounts and locations of road expansion.’ Read their report here, or tune your radio to seemingly any station this morning to hear what they have to say (14 shows so far and counting).

Portugal – a report from The Portugal says charges from chasing motorists who fail to pay, and falling traffic levels, are increasing the pressure on road operators to near critical levels . Nearly 20% of cars do not pay while drivers diverting to secondary roads, nearly 50% in some cases, are increasing congestion.

Poor Gwyneth Paltrow… the woman who seemingly has everything lacks the golden touch when it comes to charity auctions. Signing the armrest on a new Audi RS6 wiped £200 of its value according to motoring journalist Ben Oliver – @TheBenOliver. Update 01.07.13 – turns out it sold for £120k at Elton John’s White Tie charity ball, up £43k on the list price.

Germany – young women drivers not only cost insurance company Axa 25% less in accident repairs than their male counterparts but a survey for the company says women are most likely to cope better with dangerous situations. Read the full story here. This comes on top of a recent report which says men claim 80% of driving points.

Azerbaijan – the core motorway network will be complete by 2015 according to a govt minister. The total road network is 5,000km, 1,500km of which is motorway (just under half of the UK for a third of the land area). Last year the country imported 100,000 cars.

Daily Brief 13 June 2013

Posted on June 13, 2013

Last update 18:30

‘Deteriorating weather’ causing problems on the Channel, see below. Dover Port tweeted at 16:30: ‘Here at Dover sea conditions in the Channel are rough with a West South Westerly wind, force 7-8 and the visibility is moderate to good.’

in brief: Thanet Council accused of state aid for TransEuropa ferries – British driver killed on Peking-Paris – new 911 GT3 driven – new Rush teaser – driving in Montenegro warning – Danube 2 opening heartache; Trakia highway open 5 July – eCall compulsory for 2015 – a Lot of drunk deer

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – no red or amber alerts for anywhere in Europe currently. All previous flood warnings for Central Europe have now been completely downgraded. To keep up to date with the floods’ aftermath see @KGeorgievaEU.

Weather in brief – rain over northern Europe but lots of sunshine and warm weather to the south.

P&O – Dover-Calais: update 18:00: ‘Sadly the deteriorating weather in Dover means that we expect slight delays [c.45mins] on all services Dover/Calais/Dover. Please check in as normal.’

DFDS – All Dover-Calais services are operating with delays of up to 1 hour. This delay is due to restricted Port movements at the Port of Calais.

Condor Ferries – The Commodore Clipper (Portsmouth-Guernsey-Jersey-Portsmouth) is currently operating approx. 45 mins behind schedule due to the adverse weather in the English Channel today. She is currently en-route to Guernsey where she is now expected to arrive at 16:45. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your onward travel plans.

Brittany Ferries – 14/06/13 Portsmouth to Caen 08:15hrs – This sailing time has been brought forward 25 minutes following a planned naval movement in the port. Latest check-in is now 07:15hrs.

NOTES:

Athens – twitter reports of traffic disruption in the north east of the city over protests after the state broadcaster ERT was shut down on Tuesday.

Turkey – protests in major towns and cities are on-going. The FCO advice is for ‘all British nationals to avoid demonstrations’. Click here for the latest.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – protests are also on-going in central Sarajevo, peaceful so far. Click here for latest advice.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

Porsche 911 GT3 @Drive(n)

The new Porsche 911 GT3 has been driven for the first time and not even a quibble about the lack of a manual gearbox has stopped Chris Harris calling it a ‘masterpiece’. Click the link above for the video.

UK speed limit trial – ‘Re 80mph limits. I am now reliably informed NOT to expect an announcement this Autumn and that Patrick McL remains “cool” about the whole thing,’ says BBC Transport correspondent @RichardWescott, adding, ‘by cool I mean unconvinced.’

EU – eCall: The European Commission has ‘adopted two proposals to ensure that by October 2015, all new cars will automatically call emergency services in case of a serious crash… it is estimated that it could save up to 2,500 lives a year.’

Ferries – A Thanet District councillor says debts accrued by the defunct TransEuropa Ferries amount to state aid. Ian Driver representing the Green Party says £3.4m in port fees waived since March 2011 are in contravention of EU rules, a charge the council denies according to the BBC. TransEuropa went into administration in April ending the only ferry service from Ramsgate. For more see Ian Driver’s blog.

Russia – A British competitor on the Peking-Paris Rally has been killed along with two others in a tragic accident in Siberia. Named by The Times as Emma Wilkinson, 47. The incident occurred on the Tyomen to Omsk highway in Siberia yesterday according to local reports. Another woman is in intensive care.

Formula One – a new teaser for the much anticipated Rush has been released, the film about the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Grand Prix season due out in September.

Summer snow in Italy and Switzerland.

The official news agency Agence France-Presse (@AFP) tweeted this photo today of a snowboarder jumping across a mountain pass connecting Switzerland and Italy as a worker clears snow. Taken June 12 (yesterday).

France – authorities are warning of ‘drunken’ deer on the roads of Lot in south central France reports The Connection. The animals eat Spring buds which ferment in their stomachs making them drunk. The problem is not confined to Lot. Beware.

Montenegro – the British Embassy in Montenegro yesterday tweeted advice about driving in the south west Balkan country: ‘Drive defensively and expect the unexpected – the local driving style in #Montenegro may be different to that of the #UK.’ Not sure what prompted that. For more see @UKinMontenegro.

Bulgaria/Romania – former Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov is reportedly ‘heartbroken’ at not being invited to the opening of the Danube 2 bridge tomorrow. The high profile piece of infrastructure will be only the second bridge across the two countries’ 256 mile River Danube border and its opening is set to be a high profile event. Borisov resigned in March after widespread protests over high electricity prices. Meanwhile, in response to the opening, the ferry at Oryahovo – midway between the two bridges – has cut its prices.

Latest reports say the Trakia Highway – the first motorway link between capital Sofia and the Black Sea – will be launched on 5 July.

Daily Brief 12 June 2013

Posted on June 12, 2013

Last update 17:15.

in brief: French air traffic control strike called off tomorrow – RAC/HERO Rally to rerun the original Epsom-Edinburgh-Epsom ‘1000 mile trial’ – Embassy advice to drivers heading for Le Mans – Help for Heroes at McLaren – Google buys Waze – UK 80mph motorway speed limit trials upcoming – Russian motoring dissident arrested

TRAVEL/WEATHER:

Meteoalarm weather alerts – long running red flood warning west Czech Republic now downgraded but severe storms still expected in central Bulgaria and on the southern Greek mainland.

The flooding in central/east Europe continues. For the latest see @KGeorgievaEU. The UK FCO says flooding in Budapest has now stabilised but has now moved to the south of the country (see here). Meanwhile ten central Bulgarian regions have been placed on alert for hail and rain storms (see here).

Weather in brief – rain in the north, dry in the south.

No ferry/train Channel operators currently reporting any delays.

@CF_travel_news, Condor Ferries’ twitter feed reports: ‘A weather front is expected to pass through the Channel this evening and into the early part of Thursday morning. Services are currently expected to operate as scheduled, however they may be subject to weather related delays.’

NOTES:

Turkey – protests in major towns and cities are on-going. The FCO advice is for ‘all British nationals to avoid demonstrations’. Click here for the latest.

France, Belgium – three day strikes by airport and rail workers are expected to lead to a ‘week of travel chaos’ though the third day in France, tomorrow, has reportedly now been called off. Expect the cross Channel trains and ferries to be busy. Read a roundup from thelocal.fr here.

Luxembourg – road closures in the capital from 18:00 – parking suspended from 14:00 – for the Tour de Luxembourg cycle trial.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – protests are also on-going in central Sarajevo, peaceful so far. Click here for latest advice.

NEWS/PHOTOS:

New Le Mans Porsche

Porsche has completed the shake down test of its new LMP1 Prototype Le Mans car at it recently expanded Weissach testing facilities near Stuttgart. Cute.

Porsche has completed the shake down of its new 2014 LMP1 Prototype Le Mans car at its recently expanded Weissach testing facilities near Stuttgart. Cute.

Driving in France – the British Consulate in Paris has issued advice to drivers heading for this years ‘Le Mans 24 hours’ race on 22-23 June, particularly about road safety and speeding offences: ‘Every year Consular staff have to assist families after serious and fatal road traffic accidents on the way to or from the race. And the French authorities also send us, every year, a large number of driving licences that have been confiscated after speeding offences. I’d urge everyone to leave speeding to the experts this year and to make sure that you get home safely and without any police involvement,’ says Ambassador Sir Peter Ricketts. Click for more.

McLaren hosted wounded troops from the Help for Heroes charity at its Technology Centre in Woking yesterday in a bid to inspire more to get involved in motorsport. The visit was in association with Mission Motorsport, part funded by H4H. ‘Motorsport is a natural fit with the Forces. It has the winning mentality we all crave, the physical demands and the engineering too,’ one man told The Sun.

UK – The Royal Automobile Club and HERO Rally are to re-run the historic ‘1000 Mile Trial’ in July 2014. First held in 1900 it was the first ever British endurance and reliability trial, on a route from Epsom to Edinburgh and back, and took 20 days compared to five days for the modern version. Pre-war and veteran cars are eligible to enter. Click for more.

An interview with transport minister Stephen Hammond in this week’s issue of Auto Express magazine out tomorrow reveals plans for a trial of an 80mph speed limit on motorways next year. He also has something to say about road tolls too apparently.

Technology – Google has sealed the deal to buy crowd-sourced navigation app Waze.

Russia – Motoring dissident Vadim Korovin has been arrested after apparently failing to give way to an official cortege in Moscow. Officials are infamously given priority in ‘Zil Lanes’ causing such traffic congestion that President Putin recently decided to fly rather than dive to work in the Kremlin. Korovin, of the Russian Federation of Car Owners, has also reportedly been charged with running over a police officer in the incident. He has denied all charges.

DriveEuropeNews

Author Archives: driveeuropenews

Daily Brief 24 June 2013

Driving in France 2013. Everything we know.

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Daily Brief 12 June 2013