£1 ticket offer launches Plymouth-Bristol bus route

BUS company Stagecoach South West has launched Falcon, the first dedicated 24/7 coach service connecting major locations across the region.

Claimed as a cost-effective alternative to the train, the Falcon service will operate 19 journeys a day, seven days a week, between Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol Airport, and Bristol city centre, both day and night.

To mark the launch, single and return journeys will initially cost £1 until February 27. From the end of February, normal fares will apply, which include £5 return journeys anywhere along the route for under 25’s and OAP’s and adult returns from £7.50.

Bob Dennison, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: ‘Falcon is a bold step in making it easier for people to travel across the region. It’s a ’round the clock’ service between the main towns and cities across the South West, plus Bristol Airport.

‘I am confident this 24/7 connection will prove extremely popular with commuters, university students, shoppers, day trippers and, of course, holidaymakers flying from Bristol.’

Tickets, including weekly season tickets, can be bought in cash direct from the driver. A select number of tickets will also be available to pre-book via www.megabus.com.

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Plymouth ‘best value’ for hotel stays; London worst

HOTEL comparison site trivago.co.uk has published its annual Best Value UK City Index. The list of 26 includes cities with at least 50 hotels and an average of at least 150 reviews per hotel. The index combines hotel price data with aggregated user reviews and ratings. This year, according to the index, #Plymouth is the best value city in the UK for a hotel stay, while London is the worst value. 

At an average of £76 per night for the past year, Plymouth is also one of the cheapest UK cities for a hotel stay, following Sheffield at £71 and Nottingham at £73.

In second place is Exeter, with an index of 89.20 and an average hotel price of £82. Although price is a contributing factor to the best value index, cities must also have excellent hotel ratings. Salisbury and Inverness, for example, occupy third and fourth places despite having an average price per night of over £100 (£108 and £109, respectively).

With an index of 46.64, London is the worst value city in the UK for a hotel stay, with an index significantly lower than the other cities on the list. It is also the most expensive city, at an average of £164 per night. Following London is Manchester, Glasgow, and Oxford.

Cities ranking low in the Best Value Index are often criticized for their lack of space, leading to a lower level of comfort and poor ratings. London hotel rooms, in particular, are often described as cramped and ranked low as a result.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55847069@N03/7948672682">Iconic Landmark</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Plymouth takes steps toward cruise port …

MARINE consultants have been appointed to look at the economic case for a #cruiseterminal in #Plymouth, Devon. 

GP Wild International, whose clients have included CruiseScotland, Monaco, and the port city of Dubrovnik, is compiling a report which will examine the current cruise market, its future trends, and Plymouth’s place in the market.

A consortium comprising Plymouth City Council, Associated British Ports, the Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce, Destination Plymouth, and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership has commissioned the report.

The study’s scope will include discussions with organizations such as the Ministry of Defence and the Environment Agency to get an overview of what would need to be achieved to overcome current constraints. 

Should the economic feasibility studies prove compelling, Plymouth would then aim to have an operational cruise liner berth in place for the Mayflower 400 commemorations in 2020.

A key part of the project will be an analysis of world cruise fleets in terms of ship length and passenger capacity, and the potential for ships to berth in Plymouth.

… as mayor gives nod to new London cruise port

PLANS for a London cruise terminal at #Greenwich have been given the thumbs up by mayor Boris Johnson.

The development, which was given approval by Greenwich Council last month, will also include 477 homes, a skills academy, restaurants, cafes, and bars. 

The London City Cruise Port at Enderby Wharf will be able to handle 55 cruise ships a year when it becomes operational in 2017. Ships carrying up to 1,600 passengers will be able to use the terminal.

The development will create almost 500 full-time jobs.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21823610@N07/2417997210">plymouth barbican evening</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/63056271@N03/8987424917">Columbus 2 leaving Greenwich</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Up in smoke!

THE British Fireworks Championships return with a very big bang this year on August 12/13.

Phtography by Chance Agrella

Exploding with tens of thousands of rockets and spectacular mortars, the very best of the country's firework display teams take on one another for the grand title in what is one of the biggest annual displays put on by professional firework companies in the UK.

Spectacular performances start each night just as darkness falls on the Hoe. Entertainment – other than that provided by the four tonnes of fireworks – includes a traditional fairground.

Despite varying weather conditions over the years – and even a WW2 bomb being found on the site – the event has successfully taken place every year since it started in 1997, although in 2012 the judges decided not to name a winner after gale force winds limited the scope of some of the displays on the second night.

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