longest

A MEGA theme park with record-breaking rides has officially opened its doors.

The £740 million Six Flags, which is home to the world’s fastest, longest, and tallest rollercoaster, welcomed its first customers on New Year’s Eve.

Six Flags Qiddiya City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is finally open for business after four years of construction.

Included in the park’s 28 attractions is Falcon’s Flight, which is the longest, tallest, and fastest rollercoaster in the world, measuring 639 feet and reaching speeds of 155mph, according to Six Flags.

Thrill-seekers can also ride the Sirocco Tower, the tallest free-standing shot ride in the world with a maximum height of 475 feet tall.

Meanwhile, the Iron Rattler is the tallest tilt coaster in the world at 208 feet tall and Spitfire is the world’s tallest inverted triple-launch rollercoaster.

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The Sea Stallion is the world’s tallest and fastest rider-controlled coaster, measuring 39 feet and reaching speeds of up to 44mph.

And the 173-foot Gyrospin is also open for business, offering visitors the chance to ride the tallest pendulum ride in the world.

The “record-breaking rides” sit across the park’s six themed zones – coral-inspired Discovery Springs, steampunk Steam Town, the “firefly-lit” Twilight Gardens, treasure-hunt landscape the Valley of Fortune, Grand Exposition, and the action-packed City of Thrills.

There are also 29 dining options available for visitors, offering a “culinary fusion celebrating Saudi tastes and global flavours”, as well as 25 themed shopping outlets.

The theme park is the first Six Flags to open outside North America and the largest in Saudi Arabia, with unlimited access adult day tickets starting from £64.

Construction started in December 2021, shortly after Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced the £742 million contract.

The park is the first operational part of Qiddiya City, a desert entertainment complex in the Tuwaiq Mountains on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Further plans for the city include a Formula 1 racetrack, a World Cup stadium, and the Aquarabia water park set to open in March.

One tunnel holds the record as the UK’s longest at 17 miles, carrying approximately 900,000 people daily – but another will claim the title in 2030.

The UK’s longest tunnel might not be what you’d expect. It’s tucked away out of sight, yet it’s used by a staggering 900,000 people every single day.

The UK has long been celebrated for its world-class and ambitious infrastructure. Perhaps the most renowned is the London Underground.

This globally recognised network of tunnels links the capital beneath its iconic skyline.

However, one of its lines holds the record for the longest tunnel in the UK. The Northern Line, stretching an impressive 17 miles, has ferried millions of passengers since its inauguration in 1937.

It’s the busiest Tube line in London, transporting approximately 900,000 passengers daily and carrying more people annually than any other underground line, according to the London Assembly, reports the Express.

Its tracks run from Morden in the city’s south to East Finchley in the north, with stops at key locations like Bank, Charing Cross and Leicester Square.

But in just a few years, a new contender is set to snatch the title from the Northern Line. The Woodsmith Mine Line, currently under construction, will be significantly longer when it’s slated to open in 2030.

Spanning 23 miles, it will be used to transport polyhalite, a naturally occurring mineral used as fertiliser, beneath the North York Moors National Park. The line will extend from an underground deposit near Whitby to a processing facility in Wilton, close to Teesside.

In December, the tunnel reached a length of 30km, equivalent to just over 18 miles. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), affectionately named Stella Rose, surpassed the record for the longest continuous drive by a single TBM.

The Woodsmith Mine Line is a project undertaken by contractor Strabag on behalf of Anglo American. Recently, Woodsmith Project director Andrew Johnson expressed his pride at this achievement, stating: “We are incredibly proud of this milestone.

“The Woodsmith Project is one of the most innovative mining developments in the world today and construction is progressing well.

“We currently employ 1,100 people in the area of which 75% are local – something we are incredibly proud of.

“We are also proud to have a small international workforce with the specialist expertise we need for this unique world-class engineering project that will provide employment for hundreds of local people for many many years to come.”

Hartman was previously (legally) growing cannabis on the ranch. However, when the market became oversaturated, it was no longer profitable to be a small-scale cannabis grower in the Santa Ynez Valley, he said.

Hartman loves growing crops, and his mother mentioned protea, an ancient type of flowering plant found in South Africa and Australia. Protea are drought-tolerant and do well in California’s Mediterranean climate, he said. In the summer, the staff only has to provide a gallon of water to the plants.

Hartman said his family took a “massive gamble” and picked out 16 of the best cultivars that they thought would grow well, planting them in 2020. They’ve found the South African varieties, like the Safari Sunset and Goldstrike, do the best.

“These protea plants go back in the fossil record like 300 million years,” Hartman said. “They’re some of the oldest flowers on the planet.”

Hartman said he plans to open a nursery, hopefully later this year, so people can buy potted protea and plant them around their homes, given how drought-tolerant they are.

The tour through the ranch’s 8 acres of proteas includes a U-pick option where guests can take cut flowers home.

TRAVEL times between two European countries are set to be halved as the world’s longest undersea road and rail tunnel takes shape.

The 18-kilometre project will carry a four-lane motorway as well as two electrified railway tracks.

This ambitious project will see an immersed tunnel connect Rødbyhavn on Denmark’s Lolland Island with Puttgarden on Germany’s Fehmarn Island.

Known as the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, the infrastructure project is steadily taking shape beneath the Baltic Sea, and is set to be complete by 2029.

Femern, the Danish state-owned company behind the project, said the tunnel is “Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link”.

The structure is assembled from massive prefabricated concrete elements, which are built onshore before being floated into position and sunk into a pre-dredged trench on the seabed.

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Once complete, the tunnel will dramatically cut crossing times between the destinations, taking just 10 minutes by car and 7 minutes by train, a considerable decrease from the current 45- to 60-minute ferry ride.

The project estimated to cost around £6.4 billion, an amount financed largerly through loans repaid by tolls, with the European Union also granting £1.1 billion.

The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will form a key part of Europe’s transport corridors, helping to boost freight efficiency and reduce emissions through increased rail use.

When finished, the Fehmarnbelt will claim the title of the world’s longest road and rail immersed undersea sea tube tunnel.

The project, which began construction in 2021, will surpass current records like the 6.7 kilometre immersed section of China’s Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge.

Meanwhile, the project’s innovative immersed design marks a new era in sustainable cross-border connectivity, with Femern commending it as a “safe, tested and efficient way of building an underwater tunnel”.

“The technology is Danish-developed and builds on experiences from, among others, the Øresund Tunnel,” the company said.

“The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be just as safe as a corresponding section of motorway above ground. The tunnel is equipped with continuous hard shoulders and emergency exits along its entire length.”

The UK’s longest indoor ski slope is set to be built after councillors approved plans for the resort which will also include a water park, up to 418 hotel rooms and woodland lodges.

One UK town is poised to become home to the longest indoor snow centre after plans were given the green light. The bold proposal for a new indoor ski slope and leisure complex in Merthyr Tydfil has been approved by councillors following the Welsh Government’s decision not to step in.

This means the Rhydycar West development can now move forward. The scheme, situated south west of the A470/A4102 roundabout, includes an indoor ski slope, water park, indoor and outdoor activity centres, up to 418 hotel rooms, as many as 30 woodland lodge units, and up to 830 car parking spaces.

The facility is expected to serve as the official training base for the GB and Welsh national, Olympic and Paralympic snow sports teams. The project took a significant step forward when it received backing from Merthyr Tydfil Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, January 7.

Councillor Andrew Barry stressed that their main priority is the wellbeing of local residents. He told council that to tackle deprivation in Merthyr “we need positive economic solutions”, reports Wales Online.

He argued that growth could be delivered through developments of this magnitude. Cllr Barry underscored the potential for small business creation and inspiring ambition among locals.

He also emphasised the advantages to the supply chain from the development, as well as the boost to the local economy and wider region. He declared: “We have the opportunity to change the whole socio-economic dynamic of Merthyr here.”

Cllr Brent Carter hailed this project as “ground breaking” and a “complete game changer for Merthyr Tydfil”. He voiced his immense support and enthusiasm for the project, asserting it would “massively support and boost our economy in Merthyr Tydfil”.

He saw it as a prime opportunity to position Merthyr Tydfil as a “world class destination of choice”, adding: “Merthyr Tydfil needs Rhydycar West.”

Cllr Julia Jenkins expressed that they’ve been overlooked for too long and that Bike Park Wales has contributed greatly to the area. She predicted a surge of visitors and implored: “We must grab this opportunity with both hands.”

The Welsh Government had previously directed the council not to approve planning permission for the application, pending further consideration as to whether the application should be referred to the Welsh ministers for their decision.

In March 2025, the planning committee voted against officer recommendations to reject the application. In November 2025, the council was notified by the Welsh Government that the application would not be called in by Welsh ministers.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning concluded that while there are conflicts with national policy, they are of a scale and complexity that she is comfortable for the local planning authority to handle.

The committee’s report on 7 January indicates that the Welsh Government has acknowledged conflicts with national planning policy. However, the original recommendation to the committee remains unaltered.

The report further highlighted that since members have chosen not to accept the officer’s recommendation, it now falls to them to approve the application subject to conditions and the terms of a Section 106 agreement.

The proposed development also encompasses associated earthworks, access routes, drainage systems, service and utility connections, and infrastructure.

The incredible tunnel is expected to be completed by 2029

The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is an immersed tunnel set to link the Danish island of Lolland with Germany’s Fehmarn island. This remarkable tunnel beneath the Baltic Sea, expected to become one of the world’s longest underwater structures, is due for completion by 2029.

Spanning 18 kilometres (11 miles), the Fehmarnbelt tunnel will drastically reduce journey times between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Femern described the tunnel as “Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link”.

The project carries an estimated price tag of DKK 55.1billion (£6.4billion), with the European Union providing approximately 1.3billion euros (£1.1billion) in funding.

Femern outlined that an immersed tunnel represents a “safe, tested and efficient way of building an underwater tunnel”.

“The technology is Danish-developed and builds on experiences from, among others, the Øresund Tunnel. Once completed, the tunnel will not pose any obstacle to vessel traffic in the Fehmarnbelt. Marine safety is also a top priority during the construction phase.

“The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be just as safe as a corresponding section of motorway above ground. The tunnel is equipped with continuous hard shoulders and emergency exits along its entire length.”

The Institution of Civil Engineers highlighted that the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will rest atop the seabed, marking it as “a remarkable engineering feat”. “Weighing in at 73,500 tonnes apiece, these colossal structures are a testament to modern engineering. Once a tunnel element is ready to be shipped, waterproof bulkheads (barriers) are installed at both ends, and the segment is carefully towed into position by tugboats.

“In total, 89 elements will be connected sequentially – much like assembling giant Lego pieces – to form the complete tunnel.”

A FAMILY-FOCUSED theme park will reopen in the UK this year, but with new owners and new rides.

Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is set to reopen later this year.

Mellors Group, which has a number of other UK attractions including Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells and Skegness Pier, has bought the theme park.

The Group has announced its plans for the park, including adding new rides and attractions this year.

The park will remain focused on younger families, especially with children under 12 years old, but will also create new experiences that appeal to all ages.

The Group has said that the new attractions will be revealed in due course.

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James Mellors, managing director of Mellors Group, said: “Lightwater Valley is a park with real heart, history, personality, and potential, and it’s a place our own family has loved since childhood.

“Our goal is simple: to put the park back ‘on the map’ as a major theme park, by introducing new rides, injecting new energy, and creating something truly special for families for many years to come.”

He added: “We’re very excited about this acquisition and looking forward to planning a wide range of new attractions for 2026; fresh, fun, and full of excitement.

“While Lightwater Valley will continue to be a haven for younger families, we’re also widening the experience so that guests of all ages can enjoy the thrills, charm, and adventure together.

“The team here have done a brilliant job, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them as we begin this new journey.”

The Mellors Group bought the park after it was put up for sale in October for £3million.

The theme park first opened back in 1969 and today is home to more than 35 rides and attractions.

The park also hosts seasonal events and entertainment for families.

At one point, the park was home to the world’s longest rollercoaster which stretched 2,268 metres.

It held the title from 1991 to 2000 before a ride in Japan called Steel Dragon overtook it.

The ride went on to operate until 2019 and featured tunnels and bunny hops.

Current attractions in the park include a water flume, drop tower and caterpillar-themed rollercoaster.

There’s food and drink spots in the park as well.

Tickets to the park cost £26.50 per person over the height of 90cm.

In other theme park news, here are five brand new theme park lands opening this year – from Frozen kingdoms to Pokemon resorts.

Plus, love nighttime spectacular shows at Disneyland? A top UK theme park is bringing its own version to Britain.

CABLE cars aren’t just for ski holidays – this urban one has just opened an hour from the UK and it’s open for tourists.

The next time you’re in the French capital, skip the Metro and hop on this cable car instead.

A new cable car has opened in Paris and it’s the longest in Europe.

It’s called Câble C1 or the Paris Téléphérique and is 4.5km, or 2.79miles long.

The line has 105 gondolas which hold up to 10 people and it was expected to transport 11,000 people per day. 

The cable car isn’t actually a tourist attraction and instead was built as an alternative for the Metro.

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The line will predominantly be used by residents. All you need to ride the cable car is a bus ticket or travel pass that you’d also be using on the metro, and it will only cost around €2 (£1.74).

The purpose of the cable car is to connect poorly served southeastern suburbs like Créteil and Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.

The journey from Créteil to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges by road takes 40sminutes-– the cable car can do it in 18.

It will fly over four municipalities in the Paris region; Créteil, Limeil-Brévannes, Valenton, and Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.

This is the seventh urban cable car to open in France, it cost a whopping €138million (around £120.8 million) to build.

While this might seem a lot – it’s much less than a new Metro line would have cost to build.

There’s a cable car and caves combo at the heart of the UK that offers an almost similar experience to being in the Alps.

The Heights of Abraham in the Derbyshire Dales installed the UK’s first ever alpine-style cable car 40 years ago to get visitors up to its hilltop park.

You’ll find underground tours, play areas and woodland wanders for you and your family to enjoy.

The unique transport system cuts out the need to scramble up the steep hillside and has even inspired the likes of the London Eye and the cable car at Alton Towers.

The trip to the top takes you over trees, rock formations and the river, with incredible views of the town of Matlock Bath below you and rolling countryside stretching as far as the eye can see. 

But the cable car voyage is only the start of a day out with a difference deep in the Derbyshire Dales. 

Plus, check out the 1,024-year-old medieval town with terrifying cable car attraction that’s three hours from the UK.

And check out the cheap European city Brits often overlook – with Only Fools and Horses pub and new cable car attraction.

The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is a 102-mile railway viaduct in China, connecting two of the country’s largest cities, and is the longest bridge in the world

The world’s longest bridge spans over 100 miles and takes travellers two hours to traverse. The colossal Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is a railway viaduct in China and links two of the nation’s major cities.

Situated between Shanghai and Nanjing, the bridge forms part of the bustling Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway route. Work on the bridge commenced in 2006 and was completed five years later at a staggering cost of $8.5 billion (£6.4billion).

This translates to an approximate expenditure of $51 million (£38.6million) per mile of the route.

Not only is the bridge a national icon, but it was also constructed to safeguard the land beneath it, a region abundant with rivers and rice fields. For most of its length, the renowned bridge runs parallel to China’s Yangtze River.

Due to its proximity to the river, the bridge was designed to mimic its natural curvature, resulting in an unusual shape. The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge also spans the breathtaking waters of Yangcheng lake for just over five miles, reports the Express.

Prior to the bridge’s construction, train journeys between Ningbo and Jiaxing would take four and a half hours. However, thanks to this new architectural marvel, the journey now takes merely two hours, offering passengers spectacular views along the way.

The bridge has now revolutionised travel, making it possible to cover the 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) between Beijing and Shanghai in just 4 hours and 48 minutes. Despite China’s susceptibility to severe weather events, a number of safety measures were incorporated into the bridge during its construction.

Experts have confirmed that the bridge was constructed to the highest anti-seismic standards, ensuring it can withstand earthquakes. Moreover, the viaduct is also designed to endure collisions from the numerous ships that traverse beneath the bridge daily.

Not only has this new transport link significantly boosted the area’s productivity, but it has also become somewhat of a landmark. Thanks to the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge’s status as a record-breaking structure, tourists often seek out the bridge as an attraction.

The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge isn’t the only incredible architectural feat produced by China in recent years.

The world’s highest bridge was recently opened in Guizhou province. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge has slashed journey times from two hours down to just two minutes, according to local state media.

It boasts an incredible deck-to-surface measurement of 625 metres – more than half a kilometre – making it tower above the previous record holder.

THE COLOURFUL costumes and heart-warming songs of The Lion King first graced the West End over 26 years ago, yet one person knows the show more intimately than anyone else.

Leading actor George Asprey never imagined he would’ve stayed playing Scar in The Lion King for six months, let alone over 17 years, but it didn’t take him long to fall in love with the production.

Since then, millions have watched him act Scar on stage at the Lyceum Theatre.

And as a result, the actor obviously has a lot of tips for visitors.

His first piece of advice, is that whether you are new to the show or have seen it a thousand times, to come with no expectations.

He said: “Allow yourself to just open up to the set and the costumes.

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“It is difficult to take everything in, in one sitting, and when you come again, you’ll pick up the different nuances.

“Maybe in the scenery, for example.”

George shared how this is particularly true for one fan, who has seen the show over 100 times “just because she loved it so much and said there was always something to see”.

He added: “She would say ‘this is what I love to do’ – different shows affect different people in different ways, and for her, it was just her love of life in the show.”

One moment is particularly special though, admitted George.

He said: “When people watch The Lion King for the first time, they will never get that experience again – that feeling or reaction.

“I think I am always aware of that kid in the audience, mainly because of having my own children and I know firsthand, as to him and to everyone at the show, I need to be the best possible Scar I can be.

“It is a huge responsibility for all of us to consider the legacy and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I like to think the show continues to impress people.”

And having been in the show for such a long time, George of course has tips for those heading to the show.

He revealed: “I’ve had friends right at the front of the stalls and I have had friends right at the bottom end of the upper circle, and I think the one thing about the Lyceum is that all of the viewing is extraordinary.

“I really don’t think there’s a vantage point in the upper circle where you won’t see everything still.

“I think it its decent price for a reason and I don’t think it’s not worth it and I wouldn’t avoid coming if you can only afford a certain seat, because you still get a wonderful experience.”

George added how it is so much more than a show, that the costumes are all like their own pieces of art.

“Like you have a full-size elephant just walking down he aisle – it is such a feast for the eyes,” he said.

“There are just so many incredible moments in the show.

“I follow two of the greatest numbers in the show – Scar comes on and completely changes the tone.

“I think the Lion King has one of the greatest opening numbers of any musical ever,” he added.

And whilst people may think The Lion King is a show for kids, they couldn’t be more wrong.

George said: “When you’re younger, of course, you think Scar is the scariest character, but then as you get older – you start to think the language is so beautiful, his costume is so interesting and everything he says actually has a point to it.

“It truly is a family show, because every member of the family will get something different from it.”

Each time George performs, he gets to the show around 5:30pm and then by 6pm he is in costume.

He revealed: “We have to be there at 6pm, to start vocal and physical warm up – which runs until 6:30pm – then I am straight into hair and makeup and after makeup straight down to costume.

“I’ll get back to my dressing room by five past 10 and considering the amount of makeup I’m wearing, I’m so quick at getting it off – I am normally out the building by 10:15/10:20pm.”

Of course, they are days where it is more difficult though, like when he is unwell, but he did share “it’s never to do with the job itself”.

As for his routine to ensure he doesn’t get unwell often, he makes sure to eat clean – apart from Sundays, when “all bets are off”.

He also works out as much as he can.

Through 17 years George has had many memorable moments as well – but the most memorable?

“The first show back after Covid,” he revealed, “theatre was the last thing to return so it was a long time coming.

“And of course, it meant a lot to everyone.

“I’m actually welling up at the thought of it.

“To not be able to do what you love doing for 17 months and not seeing the people you love seeing – it’s hard and suddenly, people could enjoy the theatre again.”

He concluded: “All I can say is that it is a huge honour [to play Scar] and something that I never take for granted.”

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The Brenner Base Tunnel, which is currently under construction, will be the longest tunnel in the world when it opens in 2032 – and it will connect Austria and Italy.

The Brenner Base Tunnel is presently being built and will link Austria and Italy together. This remarkable tunnel, destined to become the world’s longest, is due to launch in 2032.

The rail tunnel will join Innsbruck in Austria with Franzensfeste/Fortezza in Italy, bridging two nations across different time zones. Building costs are projected at 8.54billion euros (£7.4billion).

The spectacular BBT will form a cutting-edge railway tunnel spanning 55km (34 miles) in total.

BBT explained: “In May 1994, a railway bypass was opened south of Innsbruck, known as the Inn valley tunnel. This 12.7 km tunnel links to the Brenner Base Tunnel.

“Passenger and freight trains along this stretch will therefore not only travel through the Brenner Base Tunnel, but for a few kilometres, through the Inn valley tunnel as well. This line, totalling 64 kilometres, will become the longest underground railway connection in the world.”

An unusual aspect of the Brenner Base Tunnel is the “exploratory tunnel running from one end to the other.”

“This tunnel lies between the two main tunnels and about 12m below them and with a diameter of 5m is noticeably smaller than the main tubes.

“The excavations currently underway on the exploratory tunnel should provide information on the rock mass and thereby reduce construction costs and times to a minimum.

“The exploratory tunnel will be essential for drainage when the BBT becomes operational.”

Other unique railway constructions include the world’s longest train journey, which links three countries and crosses eight time zones.

The world’s longest suspension bridge is currently in Turkey but a new record could be held if the government in Italy gets its way with its hugely ambitious Messina Bridge project

The world’s longest suspension bridge has been given the green light – and it could prove hugely popular with Brits. Just four months ago, the Italian government’s plans to build the longest suspension bridge in the world was approve. It would connect the mainland region of Calabria to Sicily.

However, a lot can happen in that time. The controversial Messina Bridge project, which would cost a staggering £11.7bn, faced a huge stumbling back last month, meaning it is once again on hold. But more on that shortly.

If the bridge ever gets built along the Strait of Messina, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni still intends, it would be a hugely ambitious infrastructure challenge that has been talked about in Italy for decades.

The colossal bridge, consisting of two towers stretching 400-metres (1,300 feet), would span an incredible 3.3km (2.05 miles). Three lanes of traffic would sit either side of two railway lines in the middle.

It would be particularly welcomed by Brits travelling in Italy, because it would cut their journey to Sicily to just ten minutes, compared to taking the ferry, which can take a lot longer than the 30 minutes crossing when you factor in the immense queuing at peak times.

Speaking earlier this year, Meloni said: “It is not an easy task but we consider it an investment in Italy’s present and future, and we like difficult challenges when they make sense.”

Transport minister Matteo Salvini spoke in August that the goal was to have it built between 2032 and 2033. He also boasted that 120,000 jobs a year would be created, something he said would bring economic growth to the poor regions of Sicilia and Calabria, which is on the tip of Italy’s boot.

Rome was given the approval for the project in August after years of the plans being scrapped. One of the biggest reasons plans have been halted historically was concerns of mafia fraud, including worries about taxpayers’ money being siphoned off by the Sicilian and Calabrian gangsters.

Other concerns have repeatedly been raised about environmental damage, cost and safety, and given the region is one of the most seismically active areas in the Mediterranean, designers promised the Strait of Messina Bridge would be able to withstand earthquakes.

However, last month, yet another setback was reported, after an Italian court ruled the bridge would go against EU environmental and tender rules.

The Court of Auditors ruling concluded: “The assumptions regarding the various ‘reasons of public interest’ are not validated by technical bodies and are not supported by adequate documentation.”

But the Italian government is refusing to give up and has vowed to review the ruling carefully and continue with its ambitions of making the bridge a reality.

As well as still having to convince the Italian Court of Auditors and both national and EU environmental agencies, there would also be pushback from the 4,000 residents who live either side of the Strait.

Their homes would be at risk of demolition and this could mean legal challenges regarding having to abandon their properties.

As it stands, the current world’s longest suspension bridge is the 915 Canakkale Bridge in Turkey – which connects Asia to Europe and takes six minutes to cross.

Construction across the passage of water (Dardanelles Strait) started in 2017 and it only became open to the public three years ago. Journey times have been cut by up to 93%.

This means 90-minute ferry trips can be avoided by using the bridge that starts in Gelibolu, Turkey, which is based on the European side of the country, to the Asian town of Lapseki.