BRITS could be set to welcome a new mega zipline after the world’s biggest tunnel flopped.
The Olympic Park’s iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit was crowned the world’s longest tunnel after it was built in 2012.
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A mega zipline could be opening in the UKCredit: AlamyThe Olympic Park’s iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit was constructed in 2012Credit: AlamyWelsh adventure company Zip World took over in SeptemberCredit: ZipWorld
But, despite all its glory, the site never attracted enough visitors to operate a sustainable business.
In a bid to save the location from ruin, Zip World took over in September and vowed to install a huge zipwire.
The company has submitted a planning application which, if accepted, would see a switchback zipwire made.
Tourists would be strapped into a chair that takes them from the top of the Orbit and back up again.
The wire would measure a whopping 440m and stretch over to London Stadium.
Plans need to be approved by Tower Hamlets and Newham council officials.
If they are given the greenlight, it is estimated the attraction would fetch 60,000 visitors each year.
Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for London 2012, the ArcelorMittal Orbit delighted visitors during the games before reopening to the public in 2014.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit isn’t just a huge sculpture, it’s also home to the world’s biggest tunnel slide, the Helix.
Standing at 76m and stretching for 178m, brave visitors can reach speeds of up to 15mph on the slide.
The huge tunnel slide also features 12 turns, which twist and snake around the Olympic Park sculpture, making for a dizzying journey.
If this sounds too stomach-churning, then visitors can also take in panoramic views over London from the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing deck.
Located at the top of the sculpture, the viewing platform boasts views for as far as 20 miles on a clear day.
Visitors have praised the attraction in their reviews on TripAdvisor, with one person writing: “The views across London are spectacular, and you get great views across the park, the stadium, and the city”.
ZipWorld boss, Andrew Hudson, said earlier this year: “We are excited to announce the re-opening date for the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ready for half term.
“This is just the start for Zip World in London, and we can’t wait to welcome both locals and thrill-seekers from around the world.
“We’ve got many more epic adventures lined up that will redefine urban excitement in the heart of the city.
“We’ll continue working closely with LLDC as we expand our off world-class experiences to bring something truly unique to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.”
Entry tickets to the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing deck start from £7, with tickets for Helix starting from £14.
Adventure giant Zip World has a host of other attractions in the UK, including the UK’s first zipline rollercoaster at Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia.
The Aero Explorer ride opened in 2023 and offers thrill-seekers a “high-speed journey across the quarry” like no other.
An overhead track is connected to a harness on the rider, which enables them to glide around as if they’re on a rollercoaster.
The track is found high above the quarry, offering views of the landscape as people fly around connected to the circuit above.
Plus, how London’s newest tourist town in a “forgotten” district is a £1.3billion attraction with hotels, theatre and a rooftop bar.
It is estimated the proposed zip line would fetch 60,000 visitors each yearCredit: AlamyThe attraction is home to the world’s biggest tunnel slide, the HelixCredit: ZipWorldPlans need approved by Tower Hamlets and Newham council officialsCredit: Alamy
THE Eurostar is getting a major upgrade with up to 50 new double-decker trains.
Eurostar has revealed a €2billion (£1.7billion) investment in double-decker trains that would become the first ever to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network.
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Eurostar is investing €2billion (£1.7billion) in double-decker trains that would become the first ever to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK networkCredit: Getty
So far, the operator has confirmed it will have 30 double-decker trains, but could add a further 20 in the future.
The new fleet, built by the Alstom Group, will be called Eurostar Celestia.
The trains will each measure 200 metres long, and will be used across the five countries Eurostar currently operates in – the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
They are also set to be used for new destinations such as Geneva in Switzerland and Frankfurt in Germany.
On board each train, there will be around 540 seats – a 20 per cent increase compared to the number of seats on the Eurostar’s current trains.
Though if running in a 400 metre formation, as trains do currently through the Channel Tunnel, then there will be around 1,080 seats per service.
According to the operator, Eurostar Celestia will also have a “bespoke design to capture the unique, premium experience Eurostar customers expect”.
The name of the new fleet was decided by Eurostar staff and is derived from the Latin word ‘caelestis’, which means ‘heavenly’.
“It evokes the stars and the essence of travel, perfectly capturing the spirit of a company that links a constellation of cities across Europe,” Eurostar added.
The decision follows Eurostar’s aim of handling 30million passengers each year in the future.
The first trains are expected to join Eurostar’s fleet in January 2031, with services launching in May 2031.
The operator plans to launch six trains initially, which will run alongside Eurostar’s current fleet of 17 e320s.
In total, the fleet will grow to 67 trains – 30 per cent more than runs today.
The entire fleet would also be maintained at the Temple Mills depot in London, which would undergo an €80million (£69.6million) redevelopment to create space for the new trains.
In addition, 350 new jobs would be created at the depot.
The trains will be an all-electric fleet too, making them more sustainable.
The new trains would be used in the five countries Eurostar currently operates in and for new destinations in the futureCredit: Alamy
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO, Eurostar said: “We’re particularly proud to bring double-decker trains to the UK for the very first time.
“Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia, which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new surprises to be revealed.
“This is a golden age for international sustainable travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.”
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, said: “This new-generation train, designed to meet the demands of international very high-speed traffic, embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility.”
The announcement comes as the Office of Rail and Road is set to meet on October 31 to make a decision on whether space should be created for a competitor operator at Temple Mills, such as Virgin or Gemini.
Recently, Virgin also announced that if it were to get approval to run cross-channel services, it would launch routes from two huge cities in the north.
And in other train news, the UK capital is set to welcome new £700million train line linking west and north of the city.
Each 200 metre train will be able to hold around 540 passengersCredit: PA
A BUNDESLIGA club unveiled its stunning new-look tunnel ahead of their clash with champions Bayern Munich last month.
FC Augsburg have been renovating their tunnel for the last few months as part of a desperately-needed refurb.
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Bundesliga side Augsburg recentl renovated their tunnel at the WWK ArenaCredit: REUTERS
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The tunnel has been designed in a simlar style to ancient Roman ampitheatresCredit: FC AUGSBURG
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The tunnel’s design is an homage to the club’s Roman rootsCredit: FC AUGSBURG
And the new-look tunnel players will walk out of going forward is truly a sight to behold.
The club has paid tribute to its Roman roots with a tunnel inspired by the city’s ancient amphitheatres.
The gates to the tunnel have drawn inspiration from amphitheatres in the Eternal City and Verona and features several aspects of the club’s badge.
Its walls have been stunningly designed to appear as if they’ve been covered in ancient Roman stones and have been laid out in a pattern befitting the time period.
The stones are beautifully highlighted by accent lights and an illuminated club badge.
A beautiful mosaic pattern comprised of Italian stones makes up the midway point of the tunnel, which the club proudly showed off on social media.
Augsburg CEO Michael Stroll said of the revamp: “We’ve long spoken about our desire to modernise our players’ tunnel.
“Our previous tunnel was functional, but didn’t really catch the eye.
This ultra-secluded British beach features red sand, cliffs and breath-taking coastal views. The one catch? It can only be entered through a centuries-old tunnel
Visitors can enter Ness Cove through the Smuggler’s Tunnel(Image: Visit South Devon)
If you’re looking to enter this stunning British beach you’ll have to go through a secret tunnel first.
Ness Cove in Shaldon, near Exeter looks like it was dreamt up in a storybook: a secluded beach, tall red cliffs and a secreted entrance. As one of Devon’s best kept secrets, many don’t even notice it’s there until they stumble through the dark, hidden tunnel and are greeted by the stunning view.
Known as the Smugglers Tunnel, it was thought to have been used by smugglers transporting their goods from the boats to the village in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, little else is known about its origins. It appears as a small entrance built into the rocky wall and, once inside, the passage is dark and winding, lit only by a string of lights on the ceiling.
Regardless, this special feature only adds to the beach’s draw. While England’s southwest is normally filled with day-trippers and tourists, particularly in the warmer months, Ness Cove offers a rare feeling of privacy.
The beach is further protected by the fact that it takes a bit of a walk to get there. There are 86 steps, with the tunnel taking around five minutes, and at the end you’re met by a steep drop (which means a tough trek back up).
However, the reward is an untouched, quiet beach, featuring soft red sand. The surrounding cliffs also keep it well-sheltered, meaning it’s often warmer than other spots around the coast.
This secret beach can only be entered through a tunnel(Image: Visit South Devon)
Since the beach is so concealed, you’re also protected from the noise of traffic, leaving you to enjoy the view in relative peace. Although, it is important to note that if you want to use the toilet, you will have to head back through the tunnel.
One TripAdvisor reviewer described the cove as “a hidden gem”. They wrote: “The access to the cove is through a tunnel. I was a bit apprehensive to go there but it was well lit and easy enough although we were a bit out of breath climbing up about 86 steps.
“Once you come out of the tunnel you are greeted with a most beautiful secluded cove with fresh water streams running down from the cliff and gentle waves of the sea in front. Not windy as it is protected by the cliffs on three sides.”
Another reviewer remarked on how quiet it was. They said: “The five-minute walk through the tunnel itself is it’s very own experience, but absolutely worth it for the views at the end.
“The beach is hidden away between two cliffs, but a great place to visit and a lot quieter than the surrounding tourist beaches.”
Shakira Austin didn’t realize how important fashion would become when she entered the WNBA in 2022.
Her introduction to game-day tunnel fashion began at the University of Mississippi in 2020.
“My school started doing their own tunnel fits,” she said. “It was cute, but I definitely didn’t know [the WNBA tunnel walk was] as popping and as big as it is now.”
During the last few years, college and WNBA social media teams have photographed players walking into arenas and to their locker rooms on game day. Tunnel walk fashion now quickly spreads on social media on game days.
The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese poses on the orange carpet during WNBA All Star Game week in Indianapolis.
(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
What started as a social media trend that fans enjoyed has become a high-profile chance for WNBA players to show off their personal style and potentially land endorsement deals. A Vogue article published last season declared that “The WNBA Tunnel Is Officially a Fashion Destination.”
Austin has adapted to the spotlight and says she enjoys expressing herself through clothing.
“It gives a little bit of a model essence,” Austin said. “You go through, you pick out your fit for the day, and all cameras are on you, so it’s definitely a nice little highlight off the court before you start to lock in for the game.”
Now in her fourth year with the Washington Mystics, Austin’s sense of style is fully her own.
Without much styling advice from teammates as a rookie, she leaned on her passion for creativity and beauty to guide her looks.
“I’ve just always liked to express myself through beauty — from either masculine or feminine looks,” she said.
At 6 foot 5, Austin has had to work with limited clothing options.
“Being that I am a tall girl, it’s kind of hard to find clothes, so repeating stuff is a big deal for me,” she said. “Also, just making [the outfit] a different vibe each time.”
The Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers poses on the orange carpet during a WNBA All-Star Game event in Indianapolis.
(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
Connecticut Sun center Olivia Nelson-Ododa didn’t get comfortable until she partnered with stylist Kristine Anigwe, a former WNBA player and owner of KA Creative Consulting.
“Figuring out, ‘OK, this is my style, this is what I actually like and enjoy wearing. How can I put it together in something that is comfortable and makes me feel confident?’” Nelson-Ododa said.
She describes being a “serial pieces repeater,” choosing to mix and match rather than follow trends.
“Honestly, it’s fashion, there’s like no rules to it.”
Off the court, fashion is now a way for her to show different sides of herself beyond her basketball identity.
“We already have an amazing job like this, and being able to add on by showing ourselves in a different light is super fun,” she said.
Although she doesn’t have the biggest interest in fashion, Sparks center Azura Stevens has seen tunnel fashion evolve into something much bigger.
The Sparks’ Rickea Jackson poses on the orange carpet during a WNBA All-Star Game event in Indianapolis.
(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
“It’s cool to put together different fits, kind of show your personality through style,” she said. “I am kind of used to it now — it’s just a part of the game-day routine.”
During her time in the league, fashion has become a natural part of the culture.
“It has become a really big thing for it to be like runways almost before the game. It’s a part of the culture now of the [league],” she said.
Stevens’ teammate, veteran forward Dearica Hamby, has had a career full of fashion transitions since she entered the league in 2015 when fashion wasn’t a major part of the WNBA culture.
“Mine has changed over the course of the years,” she said. “For me, I’m sometimes business-like, but overall just really well put together.”
Hamby credits her time with the Las Vegas Aces as the moment she saw the shift.
“I kind of feel like my time in Vegas is when it really took off. We had a really talented photographer who was able to capture our fits,” she said.
Hamby is still learning what works best for her style. One thing she’s noticed: how an outfit looks in a photo matters.
“Sometimes things don’t photograph well, and that’s what I am starting to learn,” she said. “It could look good in person, but it doesn’t necessarily photograph well, so you wanna wear things that are cut and crisp.”
As tunnel walk content grows on social media, so can critiques of players and their outfit choices.
“I’ve definitely gotten flamed before for certain outfits,” Nelson-Ododa said. “Some people are not fans and some people are fans. I really don’t care, as long as it feels good on me, I’m fine.”
“You definitely know that eyes are going to see, and you’re going to be talked about — whether it’s a positive view or negative view,” Hamby said.
What matters most to Hamby is the feeling behind the fit: “Just remind yourself that if you feel good and you feel like you look good in it, that’s all that matters.”
Less than a day after city workers painted the 2nd Street Tunnel, long an L.A. graffiti haven, taggers covered the walls of the iconic tunnel again, according to an Instagram post.
Video footage posted by user @grafftv appeared to show people spray-painting new graffiti on top of blank walls as motorists drove by.
“Less than 24 hours after the 2nd Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles was painted a sterile white for the first time in over six months, the city’s graffiti underground roared back to life,” the user posted. “What had been a clean slate at noon became by midnight a living gallery of street expression, filled with burners, rollers, and painted signatures from L.A.’s most well known vandals.”
City officials did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether or when they would repaint the walls of the tunnel, which was finished in 1924 and runs from South Figueroa Street to Hill Street.
The 1,500-foot white-tiled tunnel is an L.A. landmark, featured in Hollywood movies such as the sci-fi epic “Blade Runner” and the biographical drama “The Soloist.” It is also a popular location for car commercials, with more than 70 shot there between 2006 and 2009.
Ambitious proposals to build a huge network of undersea UK tunnels have been discussed for years, but always failed to gain momentum. However, the plan just got one step closer to becoming reality
A remote part of the UK could follow in the footsteps of the Faroe Islands (pictured) which are well connected thanks to its advanced tunnel network(Image: Getty Images)
Ambitious plans to create a network of undersea tunnels connecting one of the UK’s most isolated regions have taken a ‘significant step’ forward. Famed for its secluded white beaches, rugged grassy cliffs and crystal-clear waters, the Shetland Islands (commonly referred to as just Shetland) consists of roughly 100 picturesque isles, with only 16 of them being inhabited.
Situated some 110 miles from mainland Scotland, and 140 miles west of Norway – the archipelago is the northernmost region of the UK. Despite only having a tiny population of around 23,000 – the archipelago attracts around four times the number of tourists every single year. However, for residents and holidaymakers alike, getting from island to island isn’t always easy.
Residents rely heavily on ferries to cross between islands(Image: De Agostini via Getty Images)
At the moment, there appear to be only two airports in Shetland that have scheduled flights (Sumburgh and Lerwick/Tingwall), meaning the most common way to cross the rough waters is via ferry. However, the archipelago could soon be efficiently linked together by a huge network of tunnels.
It’s an idea that would be life-changing for many locals, and industries such as salmon farming, which has been in the works for years but always failed to gain momentum. However, last month the Shetland Islands Council had a meeting to approve the Network Strategy – Strategic Outline Case (SOC) report, presented by Stantec in partnership with COWI, Mott Macdonald and ProVersa.
The council agreed to fund a study to establish the commercial and financial viability of fixed links
The report is designed to establish the case for investment in ferries and harbours and, in some cases fixed links, including tunnels. In what has been described as a ‘significant step’, the council agreed to fund a study to establish the commercial and financial viability of fixed links and the future steps required to move the project forward. If the early plans go ahead, Shetland could see enhanced ferry services for Fetlar, Foula, Papa Stour and Skerries, together with the case for tunnels to Bressay, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.
“Tunnelling in Shetland is, ultimately, about future-proofing our island population,” said Council Leader Emma Macdonald. “Transport connectivity is central to creating sustainable islands which provide good homes and good jobs for our people, and which can reverse decades of depopulation.”
Council Leader Emma Macdonald says Shetland should follow the example of the Faroe Islands (pictured)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The councillor pointed to the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago that’s part of the Kingdom of Denmark, located some 200 miles further out into the Atlantic.
Despite its isolated position, the 18 islands are actually connected by 23 tunnels, four of which run below the sea. One of these is a 7.1-mile tunnel which connects the island of Streymoy to two sides of a fjord on the island of Eysturoy, and features the world’s only undersea roundabout nicknamed the Jellyfish.
The Faroe Islands are connected by 23 tunnels(Image: Getty Images)
“Tunnelling from mainland Shetland to our outer islands could increase their population, lower their average age, and increase their economic prospects,” she added. “It’s also critical that we continue to invest in a resilient and reliable ferry service to support all our islands. The Council has today approved this latest recommendation, and as a result this represents a significant step towards the construction of tunnels between our islands.”
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael also welcomed the move, arguing that tunnels have the potential to transform Shetland’s economy and communities. “We have seen a few false dawns on tunnels for Shetland – now is the time to deliver on their promise,” he said. “I am glad that the Council is putting investment into this project to move it to the next stage.
“The Stantec report made it clear that the choice is between either investing further in the ferry service or in fixed links. That means that tunnels can no longer be dismissed as the ‘high cost’ option relative to ferries, which is good news as we go into the next stage of development… It has been a long road just to reach this point and there is still a long way to go but I am glad that progress is being made.”
Details on how much such a project would cost, or how long it would take to construct, have yet to be announced.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
Campaigners hoping to convert a disused railway line into England’s longest cycle and pedestrian tunnel are challenging a government decision to fill much of the historic structure with concrete.
Earlier this month ministers decided to award several million pounds to permanently shutter the Queensbury tunnel built in the 1870s for a railway between Halifax and Keighley in West Yorkshire, despite spending £7.2m to shore up the structure less than four years ago.
The government has agreed to fund plans to infill the tunnel for safety reasons, by the roads agency, National Highways (NH), which is responsible for maintaining the historic railways estate.
A deluge of water inside the disused Queensbury tunnel. Photograph: Graeme Bickerdike/Forgotten Relics
The mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, who backed calls to reopen the 1.4-mile tunnel which was closed to railway in 1956, has expressed disappointment at the government’s decision. In 2021, while standing at the entrance of the tunnel, she described plans for a subterranean cycle path linking Bradford and Keighley to Halifax as a “great facility for our community.”
Campaigners accused the government of “investing in destruction” and ignoring the views of 8,000 planning objections to the plan to infill the tunnel. They are due to meet Lilian Greenwood, the minister for the future of roads, next week to urge her to reverse the decision.
In a letter to campaigners, Greenwood said converting the tunnel for cycling would be too costly in “the challenging fiscal environment” and that “safety risks need to be addressed.”
NH’s contractors estimate it would cost £26.4m to convert the tunnel. But campaigners have dismissed this figure as “gold-plated” and claim the tunnel could be brought back into use as a greenway for only £13.7m – not much more than the £7.2m spent to shore it up from 2018 to 2021 including at least £3.3m now required to infill the structure.
They also point to a study by the charity Sustrans published earlier this year which found the proposed route would generate £3 in social, economic and tourism benefits for every £1 spent on it.
Norah McWilliam, the leader of the Queensbury Tunnel Society, said: “The government is making and investment in destruction to satisfy the needs of a roads body that only cares about its own narrow interests. Community aspirations to bring positive benefits from our fabulous historic asset mean nothing to these spreadsheet shufflers.”
She added: “These new millions and the seven lost in a black hole four years ago could have paid for the tunnel’s repair, safeguarding it for a role at the heart of an inspiring and sustainable active travel network – something Bradford and West Yorkshire could be proud of.”
Graeme Bickerdike, the engineering coordinator for the society, said: “The minister claims that her decision is based on a ‘full view of the facts’, but the evidence seems to have come exclusively from National Highways which has a proven track record for exaggerating risk, misrepresenting condition evidence and frittering away public funds.
“There is no justification for another costly tunnel intervention at this time as the 2018-21 works have reduced what was already a low risk profile.”
An impression of how a cycle path through the disused Queensbury rail tunnel between Bradford and Halifax could look. Photograph: Graeme Bickerdike/Four by Three
Brabin said she shared the disappointment of campaigners, but said she understood the government’s decision. She said: “To ensure everyone’s safety the government had to act quickly to secure the site, and the realities of public finances meant a difficult decision needed to be made.
“We remain committed to helping support alternative routes for walking, wheeling and cycling between Bradford and Calderdale.”
July 10 (UPI) — Twenty-seven workers were rescued after they became trapped inside a Los Angeles tunnel that collapsed Wednesday night, officials said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that all workers who were trapped “are now out and accounted for.”
“I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped,” she said on X. “Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.’s true heroes.”
I’m on the ground here in Wilmington being briefed on this emergency.
The Los Angeles Fire Department had sent out a media advisory shortly before 8 p.m. PDT stating that as many as 15 tunnel workers were reported “isolated” by a collapsed industry tunnel in Los Angeles’ Wilmington area. The number of trapped workers was later increased to 27. An additional four workers rushed in to rescue them.
“Thirty-one persons, all believed to be tunnel workers, have been safely removed from the tunnel alive without visible injury,” the LAFD said in an update. “None are missing.”
The tunnel had a diameter of 18 feet and was being constructed for municipal wastewater management.
The collapse occurred about 5 to 6 miles south of the entry point, with preliminary LAFD reports stating the trapped workers were able “to scramble with some effort” over up to 15 feet of loose soil to meet co-workers on the other side of the collapse.
LAFD said the workers were then “shuttled” several at a time via a tunnel vehicle to the entry point.
Interim fire chief Ronnie Villanueva told reporters during a press conference that “tonight, we were lucky.”
“We were very luck this time.”
Bass said she raced to site after hearing of the tunnel collapse and was expecting to be confronted by a tragedy.
“Instead, what we found was victory,” she said.
“We’re all blessed today in Los Angeles. No one injured, everyone safe and I’m feeling very, very good that this is a great outcome in what started as a very scary evening.”
The tunnel is part of the nearly $630-million Los Angeles’ Clearwater Project aimed at protecting local waters by investing in new infrastructure, including the construction of a 7-mile, 18-foot diameter tunnel to transport clean water from the A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility to existing ocean outfalls in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The project received a $441 million investment from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2022.
“We must never forget these large infrastructure projects require workers that take great risks,” Rep. Nanette Barragan, who represents the area, said during the press conference.
More than 100 LAFD responders were assigned to the rescue mission, it said.
The cause of the collapse will be investigated, officials said.
Travel influencer Chloe Lawford shared a video of the picture-perfect beach she visited in the UK that’s only accessible via a network of historic tunnels
This hidden gem is perfect for a sunny day this summer(Image: Getty)
Finding postcard-worthy beaches in the UK might seem like a tough task. Nevertheless, wanderlust spirit Chloe Lawford, a travel blogger, has discovered a stunning, secluded coastal gem that’s just perfect for those warm summer days. Situated behind a historical network of tunnels, this hideaway boasts crystal-clear waters and an atmosphere of tranquillity.
This year, the avid adventurer made her way to this enchanting spot for a relaxed seaside picnic and a refreshing dip, resulting in a truly breathtaking excursion. Documenting her experience on TikTok (@chloelawfordtravels), she disclosed: “After paying a small fee to enter, you access the beach through these long tunnels.
“The first set of tunnels leads you out to the Gentleman’s Beach, which is on the left and there is a wedding venue here. But you can continue going through more tunnels to get to the Ladies Beach on the right.
“This was the more popular beach and it’s where the swimming pool normally is when the tide is out. But we opted to head back up to the Gentleman’s Beach as it was much quieter and it was like our own private little beach.”
Chloe enthusiastically recommends Tunnels Beaches, hidden away on the Ilfracombe coastline in Devon, reports the Express. Conveniently located within a two-hour drive from Exeter, this idyllic destination is also close to other noteworthy locations such as Woolacombe and Wildersmouth Beach.
Niche Museums sheds light on the history of Tunnels Beaches, dating back to the 1820s when droves of Welsh miners took two years to hew six tunnels into the Ilfracombe hillside.
Tunnels Beaches is hidden on the other side of a mesmerising tunnel network built in the 1820s(Image: Getty)
This massive undertaking was part of North Devon’s initiative to cement its reputation as an ideal holiday locale, creating pathways for tourists to tread or coach their way to the seaside.
Currently, adult admission to Tunnels Beaches is modestly priced at £3.75 for those aged 16 and up, whilst tiny tots under three enjoy free entry. Prices for children aged three to 15 are set at an affordable £3.
Budget-conscious visitors can take advantage of the discounts on offer for students and seniors, not forgetting the family deals available to sweeten the deal – though do note, they only accept card payments on-site.
“It was such a lovely day and the water was super clear,” enthused Chloe, sharing her experience. “[…]We had a little picnic and then went for a swim, although there were lots of jellyfish in the water, so we didn’t brave too long of a swim and we sort of had a quick dip.
“However, it was still super refreshing. If you find yourself in Devon, don’t miss out on popping by this beach when the sun’s beaming down.”
Chloe’s glowing recommendation swiftly turned heads on TikTok, with numerous others on the platform echoing praise for the site’s splendour.
A resident nearby commented: “This is down the bottom of my road, I have a season ticket and spend every day I can there! Bliss.”
Meanwhile, a second person shared their own memories, exclaiming: “Omg I’ve been there it was so cool but more rocky then sandy.”
SACRAMENTO — California really does still have a Legislature, even if you haven’t been reading or hearing much about it. In fact, it’s currently making a ton of weighty decisions.
They’ll affect many millions of Californians — with a gamut of new laws and hefty spending.
Plus congressional wrangling over Trump’s “Big Beautiful” ugly, debt-hiking bill — and the eruption of a Middle East war.
Meanwhile, it’s one of the busiest and most important periods of the year in the state Capitol. This is budget time, when the Legislature and governor decide how to spend our tax dollars.
The Legislature passed a $325-billion so-called budget June 13, beating its constitutional deadline by two days. If it hadn’t, the lawmakers would have forfeited their pay. But although that measure counted legally as a budget, it lacked lots of details that still are being negotiated between legislative leaders and Newsom.
The final agreements will be tucked into a supplementary measure amending the main budget bill. That will be followed by a long line of “trailer bills” containing even more policy specifics — all currently being hammered out, mostly in back rooms.
The target date for conclusion of this Byzantine process is Friday. The annual budget will take effect July 1.
Some budget-related issues are of special interest to me and I’ve written about them previously. So, the rest of this column is what we call in the news trade a “follow” — a report on where those matters stand.
Californians cast more votes for Proposition 36 last year than anything else on the ballot. The measure passed with 68% of the vote, carrying all 58 counties.
Inspired by escalating retail theft, the initiative toughened penalties for certain property and hard-drug crimes, such as peddling deadly fentanyl. But it offered a carrot to drug-addicted serial criminals. Many could be offered treatment rather than jail time.
Proposition 36 needs state money for the treatment, more probation officers to supervise the addicts’ progress and additional law enforcement costs. The measure’s backers estimate a $250-million annual tab.
Newsom, however, was an outspoken opponent of the proposition. He didn’t provide any funding for it in his original budget proposal and stiffed it again last month when revising the spending plan.
But legislative leaders insisted on some funding and agreed on a one-time appropriation of $110 million.
Woefully inadequate, the measure’s backers contend. They’re pushing for more. But some fear Newsom might even veto the $110 million, although this seems doubtful, given the public anger that could generate.
Greg Totten, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Assn., which sponsored the initiative, says more money is especially needed to hire additional probation officers. Treatment without probation won’t work, he insists.
Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) is trying to change the $110-million allocation mix. There’s nothing earmarked for county sheriffs who now are handling lots more arrests, she says.
“I want to make sure we uphold the voters’ wishes and are getting people into drug treatment,” Blakespear says. “This passed by such a high percentage, it should be a priority for elected officials.”
Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) predicts the Legislature will still be fiddling with the budget until it adjourns in September and vows: “I’ll continue to advocate for adequate funding for 36.” He asserts the budget now being negotiated won’t hold up because of chaos under Trump, who’s constantly threatening to withhold federal money due California.
Newsom and the Democratic-controlled Legislature decided a few years ago to generously offer all low-income undocumented immigrants access to Medi-Cal, California’s version of federal Medicaid for the poor.
But unlike Medi-Cal for legal residents, the federal government doesn’t kick in money for undocumented people. The state foots the entire bill. And it didn’t set aside enough. Predictably, state costs ran several billion dollars over budget.
The Newsom administration claims that more adults enrolled in the program than expected. But, come on! When free healthcare is offered to poor people, you should expect a race to enroll.
To help balance the books, Newsom proposed $100 monthly premiums. The Legislature reduced that to $30. They both agreed to freeze enrollments for adults starting Jan. 1.
The Legislature also wants to freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for even more people who are non-citizens: those with what it considers “unsatisfactory immigration status.” What does that mean? Hopefully it’s being negotiated.
The governor wants to “fast-track” construction of the $20-billion, 45-mile tunnel that would transmit more Northern California water to Southern California. Delta farmers, local residents and coastal salmon interests are adamantly opposed. Fast-track means making it simpler to obtain permits and seize property.
Legislative leaders told the governor absolutely “No”: come back later and run his proposal through the ordinary committee process. Don’t try to fast-track the Legislature.
June 20 (UPI) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have discovered and closed a tunnel carved into the ground between San Diego and Tijuana that stretched more than 1,000 feet into the United States, the agency announced Thursday.
The agency said the tunnel, located near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, had an exit point near a commercial warehouse. The tunnel entrance was discovered in a residential area in the Mexican border town of Tijuana, and had been concealed with freshly laid tile, CBP said.
“The investigation revealed the tunnel was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems and a track system designed for transporting large quantities of contraband,” a CBP release said.
The tunnel stretched nearly 3,000 feet, spanning the United States and Mexico border and measured nearly 4 feet high and more than 2 feet wide.
It is the latest in a long series of tunnel discoveries in the Southwest.
Drug and human smugglers have used clandestine, underground tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border for decades and routinely use them to move drugs and people into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has discovered more than 95 tunnels in the San Diego area alone since 1993. They are also routinely discovered in other border states, including Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
“Contractors will pour thousands of gallons of concrete into the tunnel, preventing the tunnel from use by Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” the release continued.
Not only lawmakers, but the Legislature’s nonpartisan, independent chief policy analyst.
The Legislative Analyst‘s Office has recommended that legislators hold off voting on what the governor seeks because they’re being pressed to act without enough time to properly study the complex matter.
Delta towns and farmers, environmental groups and the coastal salmon fishing industry are fighting the project and the governor’s latest move to expedite construction.
If there are any supporters at the state Capitol outside the governor’s office for his fast-track proposal, they’re not speaking up.
“Nobody’s told me they’re excited about it,” says state Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), an East San Francisco Bay lawmaker who is co-chairman of the Legislative Delta Caucus. The 15-member bipartisan group of lawmakers who represent the delta region strongly oppose the tunnel — calling it a water grab — and are fighting Newsom’s bill.
The black mark on the governor’s proposal is that he’s trying to shove it through the Legislature as part of a new state budget being negotiated for the fiscal year starting July 1. But it has nothing to do with budget spending.
The tunnel would not be paid for through the budget’s general fund which is fed by taxes. It would be financed by water users through increased monthly rates, mainly for Southern Californians.
Newsom is seeking to make his proposal one of several budget “trailer” bills. That way, it can avoid normal public hearings by legislative policy committees. There’d be little scrutiny by lawmakers, interest groups or citizens. The measure would require only a simple majority vote in each house.
“We’re battling it out,” says Assemblywoman Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), the Delta Caucus’ co-chair whose district covers the delta as it enters San Francisco Bay.
“This is not about the project itself. This is about how you want to do things in the state of California. This [fast-track] is comprehensive policy that the budget is not intended to include,” says Wilson.
Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek issued a report concluding: “We recommend deferring action … without prejudice. The policy issues do not have budget implications. Deferring action would allow the Legislature more time and capacity for sufficient consideration of the potential benefits, implications and trade-offs.”
The analyst added: “In effect, approving this proposal would signal the Legislature’s support for the [tunnel], something the Legislature might not be prepared to do — because it would remove many of the obstacles to move forward on the project.
“Moreover, even if the Legislature were inclined to support the project, some of the particular details of this proposal merit closer scrutiny.”
Newsom tried a similar quickie tactic two years ago to fast-track the tunnel. And incensed legislators balked.
“He waited now again until the last moment,” Wilson says. “And he’s doubled down.”
She asserts that the governor is seeking even more shortcuts for tunnel construction than he did last time.
“There are some people who support the project who don’t support doing it this way,” she says. “The Legislature doesn’t like it when the governor injects major policy into a budget conversation. This level of policy change would usually go through several committees.”
Not even the Legislature’s two Democratic leaders are siding with the Democratic governor, it appears. They’re keeping mum publicly.
Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) has always opposed the tunnel project. So quietly has Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), I’m told by legislative insiders.
McGuire and Rivas apparently both are trying to avoid a distracting fight over the tunnel within their party caucuses at tense budget time.
Newsom insists that the project is needed to increase the reliability of delta water deliveries as climate change alters Sierra snowpack runoff and the sea level rises, making the vast estuary more salty.
He also claims it will safeguard against an earthquake toppling fragile levees, flooding the delta and halting water deliveries. But that seems bogus. There has never been a quake that seriously damaged a delta levee. And there’s no major fault under the delta.
The tunnel would siphon relatively fresh Sacramento River water at the north end of the delta and deliver it to facilities at the more brackish south end. From there, water is pumped into a State Water Project aqueduct and moved south, mostly to Southern California.
“A tunnel that big, that deep, is going to cause a lot of problems for agriculture and tourism,” says McNerney. “One town will be totally destroyed — Hood. It’s a small town, but people there have rights.”
Newsom’s legislation would make it simpler to obtain permits for the project. The state’s own water rights would be permanent, not subject to renewal. The state would be authorized to issue unlimited revenue bonds for tunnel construction, repaid by water users. It also would be easier to buy out farmers and run the tunnel through their orchards and vineyards. And it would limit and expedite court challenges.
“For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape, burdened with unnecessary delay. We’re done with barriers,” Newson declared in unveiling his proposal in mid-May.
But lawmakers shouldn’t be done with solid, carefully reasoned legislating.
On policy this significant involving a project so monumental, the Legislature should spend enough time to get it right — regardless of a lame-duck governor’s desire to start shoveling dirt before his term expires in 18 months.
A group of California legislators representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area said Tuesday that they will fight Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel, contending the project is a threat to their region and would leave millions of Californians paying much higher water bills.
Newsom has said the tunnel project is vital to improving the reliability of water deliveries as climate change shrinks California’s snowpack and alters the timing of runoff. But the Democratic lawmakers criticized Newsom’s latest proposal to accelerate steps toward construction of the 45-mile tunnel by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges.
“Fast-tracking the Delta Conveyance Project is a direct attack on our region’s environmental integrity, economic stability and public trust,” said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). “We are united in our opposition to this project, not just because of what it threatens to destroy, but because of what it represents — a broken process that silences local voices.”
Wilson and other members of the Delta caucus spoke at a news conference in the Capitol. They said the project would harm the Delta’s farmlands, communities and ecosystem, and would place a large financial burden on ratepayers in Southern California.
They said the cost, most recently estimated at $20.1 billion, is likely to be much higher.
“The project would have to be paid for by ratepayers who are already overburdened with soaring utility costs and aren’t even aware of how the cost of this is going to impact them in their pocketbooks,” said state Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton). “This project will set a precedent for bypassing well-established environmental laws.”
The tunnel would transport water from the Sacramento River to the state’s pumping facilities on the south side of the delta, where supplies enter the aqueducts of the State Water Project and are delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland, including parts of the Central Valley.
Supporters of the plan, including water agencies in Southern California and Silicon Valley, say the state needs to build new infrastructure in the delta to protect the water supply in the face of climate change and earthquake risks.
Opponents, including agencies in the delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives.
The legislators called for different types of water solutions, including investing in projects to recycle wastewater, boost water storage, and rebuild aging levees in the delta to protect freshwater supplies and reduce earthquake risks.
Newsom, who is set to serve through 2026 and then leave office, has said the tunnel project is critical for the state’s future.
The governor said his latest proposal would simplify permitting by eliminating certain deadlines from water rights permits; narrow legal review to avoid delays from legal challenges; confirm that the state has authority to issue bonds to pay for the project, which would be repaid by water agencies; and accelerate state efforts to acquire land for construction.
The governor’s approach, part of his latest budget proposal, was praised by supporters of the project and managers of water agencies, who said it would reduce regulatory and legal uncertainty.
Charley Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Southern California Water Coalition, said the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water is declining, while demand continues to rise.
“Southern California stands to lose up to 10% of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don’t act,” Wilson said, calling the project the best path to offsetting those losses.
Graham Bradner, executive director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority, said the governor’s proposal would “save years of delay and potentially billions in costs by removing unnecessary hurdles.”
The legislators, however, said they will fight Newsom’s attempt to short-cut the established process.
“The governor is asking for a blank check, without cost caps, without meaningful oversight, without even committee hearings,” said state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento). “What we have before us is a proposal to advance this under the dead of night with no public oversight or input.”
Cabaldon stressed that the public ultimately would pay for the project.
“The real threat here is to the pocketbooks, the monthly water bills, of residents throughout Southern California,” Cabaldon said.
McNerny said he expects the group of legislators will “do pretty well in gathering Senate opposition.”
“There is going to be significant opposition. It’s going to be vocal. It’s going to be harsh,” he said.
The project has been supported by leaders of water agencies in Southern California who are considering investing in it.
In December, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to spend $141.6 million for a large share of the preliminary planning work. The district, which delivers water for 19 million people, isn’t expected to decide whether to invest in building the tunnel until 2027.
The legislators spoke beside leaders of environmental, fishing and tribal groups who oppose the project. Malissa Tayaba, vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said the project would harm the region and her tribe.
“It seems that to Gov. Newsom, our culture, our ancestors and the environment that sustains us is worth less than the ability to over-divert water from our rivers to send more water and money to commercial water interests,” Tayaba said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to accelerate his administration’s plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges.
Newsom urged the Legislature on Wednesday to adopt his plan to “fast-track” the tunnel, called the Delta Conveyance Project, as part of his revised May budget proposal.
“For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape, burdened with unnecessary delay. We’re done with barriers,” Newsom said. “Our state needs to complete this project as soon as possible, so that we can better store and manage water to prepare for a hotter, drier future. Let’s get this built.”
The tunnel would create a second route to transport water to the state’s pumping facilities on the south side of the Delta, where supplies enter the aqueducts of the State Water Project and are delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.
Supporters of the plan, including water agencies in Southern California and Silicon Valley, say the state needs to build new infrastructure in the Delta to protect the water supply in the face of climate change and earthquake risks.
Opponents, including agencies in the Delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives.
“It’s a top-down push for an unaffordable, unnecessary tunnel that fails to solve the state’s real water challenges,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of the group Restore the Delta.
She said the governor “wants to bypass the legal and public processes because the project doesn’t pass the economic or environmental standards Californians expect.”
Newsom, who is set to serve through 2026 and then leave office, is pushing to lay the groundwork for the project.
Newsom said his proposal would: simplify permitting by eliminating certain deadlines from water rights permits; narrow legal review to avoid delays from legal challenges; confirm that the state has authority to issue bonds to pay for the project, which would be repaid by water agencies; and accelerate state efforts to acquire land for construction.
Announcing the proposal, the governor’s office said that “while the project has received some necessary permits, its path forward is burdened by complicated regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic delays.”
The State Water Resources Control Board is currently considering a petition by the Newsom administration to amend water rights permits so that flows could be diverted from new points on the Sacramento River where the intakes of the 45-mile tunnel would be built.
The governor’s latest proposal was praised by water agencies including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which is currently spending about $142 million on the preliminary planning.
MWD General Manager Deven Upadhyay called Newsom’s proposal a “bold step” toward protecting water supplies, saying the approach would support completion of the planning work, reduce “regulatory and legal uncertainties,” and allow the MWD board to make an informed decision about whether to make a long-term investment to help foot the bill for construction.
Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, said the governor’s approach makes sense to address costly delays and upgrade essential infrastructure that is “in dire need of modernization.”
Environmental and fishing groups, however, called Newsom’s proposal a reckless attempt to bypass the existing legal process and make it harder for opponents to challenge the project over what they contend would be harmful effects on the Delta region and the environment.
Scott Artis, executive director of the Golden State Salmon Assn., a group that represents fishing communities, called Newsom’s proposal “an attack on the salmon fishing industry and the state’s biggest rivers.”
Commercial salmon fishing has been canceled for three consecutive years because of a decline in the Chinook salmon population. Artis said building the tunnel would represent a “nail in the coffin of California’s once mighty salmon runs.”
