Caravaners boosted by Easter Weekend roadworks suspension

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Caravan owners have been given a boost with the news that a majority of UK roadworks will either be completed or suspended in time for the upcoming Easter weekend.

According to the Highways Agency, some 60 per cent of roadworks will either be finished or put on hold for the long weekend, spelling good news for those holidaymakers keen to hitch up their caravans and get away.

This comes in spite of the fact that the bad weather experienced over the winter caused a number of road improvement projects to be hit by delays, with the government department stating that, as well as boosting reliability, the extra effort has been driven largely by an aim to make the UK’s 9,534 miles of major carriageway safe for drivers.

Announcing the good news, Highways Agency director of network delivery and development Derek Turner said: “We wish to reassure the travelling public that the Highways Agency is lifting as many roadworks as is safe and practical to do so for this Easter bank holiday.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has predicted that UK weather will remain ‘unsettled’ over the Easter weekend, with snow likely in Scotland and some parts of northern England.

Caravanners could head on Easter egg hunt

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Those spending the Easter weekend in a caravan could be interested in taking part in one of 220 Easter Egg Trails being set up by the National Trust in conjunction with Cadbury’s.

The chocolate firm is providing Egghead Easter eggs that come in environmentally-friendly packaging.

Each child who completes one of the trails will be given one of the chocolate treats, while the National Trust will be offering face-painting, crafts and Easter egg painting.

The organisation has recorded an increase in visitor and membership numbers over the past year and is hoping to encourage families to spend the bank holiday weekend outdoors by hosting the events.

Interested parties are able to head to the National Trust website to check where their nearest Easter Egg Trail is taking place.

Meanwhile, Enjoy England is celebrating the release of the new Alice in Wonderland movie by inviting Brits to explore “Alice’s England” by visiting Antony House near Plymouth.

Britain’s roads ‘could be improved’

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Caravan enthusiasts may know as well as any road user how well maintained their regular routes are.

However, the condition of the UK’s highways could be set to improve if the Transport Committee has its way and regulations are passed to develop how local authorities operate.

According to the group, many local authorities are not spending their entire roads budget allocated by the government.

It has suggested that parliament sets out clear guidelines for how this money should be spent and that it ensures there is more clarity from councils on how they are maintaining their local transport infrastructure.

A recent statement by the committee concluded that more has to be done to manage both repairs and traffic congestion.

The body suggested that a combination of sustainable transport, careful planning and the use of modern technology could improve Britain’s highways for all road users.

In other news, one happy caravan owner was reunited with his vehicle just hours after it was stolen after the TRACKER device he installed helped police catch the criminal.

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Chessington adds new attraction

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Caravan enthusiasts may be interested to hear that there is a new attraction at a popular theme park.

Chessington World of Adventure has added a new “land” called Wild Asia and intends to develop the site further by introducing the African Savannah Experience, which opens in June and will be populated by zebras, antelopes and other animals.

Based in Surrey, the amusement park opened for the summer season on March 27th having transformed Beano Land into the new attraction, which acts as an extension to Asia World.

PR manager Maria Hamilton revealed that the Wild Asia section “offers a whole experience for explorers wanting to immerse themselves in the culture, food and crumbling ruins of a lost Asian kingdom”.

Visitors can look forward to riding KOBRA, which operates on a 90-metre track and propels participants at speeds of up to 43 mph.

Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the UK enjoyed a two per cent rise in visitor numbers in the three months to January 2010, compared to the previous quarter.

Families ‘should spend time apart’ on holiday

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Brits heading on a caravan adventure with their parent may wish to take note of recent advice from travelsupermarket.com.

Figures from the firm show that more than half (53 per cent) of 20 to 30-year-olds have been on a family-funded break since turning 18.

Travel expert with the company Bob Atkinson suggested that the best way to survive such a holiday is not to do everything with your parents.

He explained that while these trips can work well, families should take care not to live in each others’ pockets throughout the break.

Mr Atkinson said people should “do some things separately, do some things differently and you can still join up and chat about it later”.

Meanwhile, a recent YouGov poll commissioned by VisitGuernsey showed that almost one in two (48 per cent) of Brits

Airstream Bambi 422 shown at British Leisure Show

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Caravan enthusiasts considering investing in the new version of the Airstream Bambi 422 travel trailer were recently given a chance to have another look at it.

The classic model was relaunched earlier this year at the National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show, with potential buyers given a second opportunity to view it at the British Leisure Show.

Attracting more than 300 exhibitors and billed as the ultimate leisure lifestyle event, the expo took place at Royal Windsor Racecourse from March 19th to 21st.

It was the perfect occasion to have a closer look at the new model, which has a MIRO weight of 1,080 kg and a loaded towing weight MTPLM of just 1,320kg.

Airstream Europe sales director Michael Hold explained that the firm was delighted by how well the redesign has worked out.

“There is now an exposed aluminium interior and front panoramic windows, which must make it the cutest trailer on the market,” he said.

The unit can be pulled by smaller cars, including the Volkswagen Golf Diesel 2.0 and the BMW 330i.

Meanwhile, a caravan owner whose mobile home was stolen in the night was reunited with the unit just three hours after the crime after police used the TRACKER device he installed to find the thief.

Stolen caravan recovered within hours

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The effectiveness of tracking devices on caravans has been proven after a stolen mobile home was recovered just hours after it went missing.

Police managed to track down the thief using the TRACKER device after the owner received a text message in the middle of the night to alert him that his vehicle was being moved from its Worcestershire storage unit.

Just three hours after the theft, officers stopped the criminal on the M5 motorway, only to discover that the car he was using was also stolen and being driven with fake number plates.

TRACKER police liaison manager Adrian Davenport explained that the incident showed exactly how vulnerable caravans are to theft when in storage.

“If the owner hadn’t made the wise investment of fitting a TRACKER caravan recovery product, the theft of this caravan most probably would not have been discovered for several weeks,” he said.

Mr Davenport added that the device had made the difference between the criminal enjoying a holiday in “‘his’ new caravan” and spending some time in prison.

In other news, caravan manufacturer Airstream chose the National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show to re-launch the Bambi 422 model.

Coronation Street stars visit caravan site

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Two stars from the hit television soap Coronation Street took a break from filming last week to explore the Camping and Caravanning Club’s Albufeira rally site in Portugal.

Steve Arnold and Simon Gregson (who play Ashley Peacock and Steve McDonald respectively) took part in the popular Pig Roast, organised by rally stewards Bob and Lyn Geary on behalf of The Club’s Carefree Travel Service. Both Steve and Simon spent time with Club members and took part in organised events on the caravan site.

“My friend Steve has a caravan on site at Albufeira and we were invited to come along for the Pig Roast,” said Steve, who first appeared on the Street in February 1995, when seen assisting Fred Elliott in his butcher’s shop.

“We had a great time and were made to feel very welcome. My father-in-law has a caravan and I fancy getting one as well. I also used to do a lot of tent camping in Wales when I was a child.”

“It is nice just to get away and enjoy some peace and quiet. The weather in Portugal certainly beats Weatherfield!”

Simon, proprietor of the Rovers Return and co-owner of Street Cars taxi firm, also admitted to being a keen camper and added: “When I was young I camped with my mum and dad in a trailer tent in Cornwall.

“We caught the back end of Hurricane Charley, the tent area flooded and we were the only ones left standing!”

Bob and Lyn Geary, who have been stewarding rallies with The Club for seven years, were delighted to welcome the celebrities to Camping Albufeira, which forms part of The Club’s winter camping programme.

“We found both Steve and Simon very friendly, sociable and down-to-earth and their presence provided the rally with a great boost,” said Club member Bob.

“We have watched Coronation Street religiously for years and love Simon’s wit and Steve’s infectious laugh. We hope they return with some of their Street friends in due course.”

As well as providing campsites in the UK, the Camping and Caravanning Club offer European and worldwide holidays. You can find out more by clicking campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/travelabroad or for further information telephone 0845 130 7701 or 024 76 422024.

Travel industry behind time zone switch

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Caravan enthusiasts could get more evening daylight hours for their money if calls to switch the UK time zone are carried through.

VisitBritain, the Tourism Alliance and the British Association of Leisure, Parks, Piers and Attractions are just some of the bodies behind the move to Single/Double Summer Time (SDST).

SDST is based on the concept of a “double summertime” which places the UK one hour ahead of GMT during winter, and two hours ahead during summer. The result would bring Britain into the same time zone as countries such as France and Spain.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has previously suggested this would reduce the number of accidents on the roads as a result of the lighter evenings. And when the scheme was trialled for three years back in 1968 data revealed around 2,500 fewer people were killed on the roads.

However those in northern parts of Britain have historically opposed the idea. For example in parts of Scotland the winter sunrise would not occur until ten o’clock am. Previous attempts to introduce the bill (by allowing Scotland and Northern Ireland to opt out of the scheme) were rejected in 2006.

Yet many at the forefront of the British travel industry feel that the positives of such a change would far outweigh the negatives, with the advantages stretching beyond the travel sector.

All three major political parties have signified their willingness to consider the issue, but minister for culture, creative industries and tourism Margaret Hodge said a wide consensus is needed for a bill to be passed.

It is essential that the whole industry supports the move, added Liberal Democrat frontbench spokesman for culture, media and sport Don Foster.

“It is really important that we in government, or whoever is in government, actually help the industry to do that,” he explained.

Calls to cut tourism tax

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Brits taking caravan holidays in the UK could soon find the prices of attractions falling, if calls to cut tourism tax are carried through.

The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) has noted that such reductions have benefited a number of European nations and there have been claims that similar results could be achieved in Britain.

According to BALPPA, the move would have far-reaching advantages that would benefit more than just caravan enthusiasts.

It argued that such a decision would help attract capital investment, develop products, create jobs and train staff.

Liberal Democrat frontbench spokesperson for culture, media and sport Don Foster and Conservative Tourism Taskforce chairman John Lewis are both behind the move.

However, minister for culture, creative industries and tourism Margaret Hodge explained that it would be premature to say such a decision is imminent.

“If anybody in the current public expenditure climate says to you that in the immediate future we will have a reduction in VAT on hotel and accommodation [it] is sending out a false prospectus,” she said.

Debate over tourism minister position

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Caravan enthusiasts could eventually be affected by the debate that is raging over calls to establish a tourism minister role in the UK.

The first ever manifesto from ABTA – The Travel Association suggested that the industry would benefit from having a dedicated parliamentary voice, but not everyone agrees that this is necessary.

Not only have travel industry stakeholders been contributing their opinions on the matter, politicians have also been discussing the possible pros and cons of such a move.

Yesterday’s (March 17th) Best of Britain and Ireland Trade Forum event saw a number of politicians discuss the issue during the Tourism Society’s Question Time.

Shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport Don Foster said that creating the position would not benefit the industry – a view shared by culture, creative industries and tourism minister Margaret Hodge.

Mr Foster said what the industry really needs in order to survive and flourish is the full support of the government.

However, Conservative Tourism Taskforce chairman John Lewis explained that his party likes the idea of the tourism sector having a “strong voice”.

Mr Lewis added that it is unclear whether ministers currently understand the needs of the industry and suggested that having a dedicated guardian could help remedy this.

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Park Holidays UK books top acts

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to a Park Holidays UK site this summer may be in for a treat, with a number of top acts set to appear over the coming months.

The company confirmed that Britain’s Got Talent 2008 finalists Portlan are set to appear at a number of its sites.

The RnB dance act, formerly known as Nemesis, is promoting the September release of its single Bang Your Head and will play sets at Steeple Bay, Felixstowe Beach, Solent, Marlie Farm, Seaview, Alberta, St Osyth and New Beach throughout August.

Meanwhile, X Factor 2007 stars Same Difference are also set to appear at a number of sites throughout July and August.

The brother and sister act is targeted mainly at teenagers and kids and is due to release a second album this year after signing for PopLife Records.

Their first LP was released in December 2008 entitled Pop following the release of their debut single We R One in November of the same year.

Meanwhile, Peter Andre recently appeared at Seawick Holiday Park’s The Venue, much to the delight of holidaymakers at the caravan site.