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Mobile Roaming Going, Going, Gone
Mobile phone roaming charges are abolished today under the EU legislation ‘'Roam Like At Home'' when using a mobile in certain European countries . Those on contract plans can use their allowance of call minutes, texts and data, paying only when these allowances are exceeded. Consumer groups are advising users to check their plan's allowances and the list of included European countries. . . .15/06/17.
Critical Reception?
The first phase of a new compulsory Air Quality Certificate(Crit'Air)vehicle registration scheme designed to reduce pollution in some French cities has begun with the prospect of it being rolled out across the country. Paris and Grenoble have permanent low emission zones, zone à circulation restreinte (zcr) while Lyon, Grenoble, Lille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Chambery and Marseilles have emergency zones, zone de protection de l'air (zpa) Visitng drivers will be required to display a Crit'Air vignette (disc) in their windscreen upon entering a low emission zone. Failure to comply is subject to a fine of up to €135. Vignettes can be ordered online from the French Government site certificat are for the life of the vehicle and can take up to six weeks. Full implementation of the scheme could see certain types of vignette holder restricted or prohibited from entering the zones in a bid to improve air quality. . . updated 17/06/18.
EU Speeding Fines Can Now Follow You Home
UK drivers who commit speeding offences in mainland EU countries and are not dealt wth by an on the spot fine or a judicial process, will have their penalty fine forwarded to the vehicle's registered keeper via the DVLA from today. Under EU Cross Border Directive 2015/413, the EU transport policy must be adopted by all EU Member States.
Eight specific offences are included in the legislation of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a mandatory signal, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs, using a mobile device at the wheel, using a restricted or reserved lane illegally and for motorcyclists, not wearing a crash helmet. . . 06.05.17.
Brittany Ferries' LNG Powered Future?
Brittany Ferries has signed a letter of intent with German shipyard Flensburger Schiffbau for the construction of a liquefied natural gas powered ferry. LNG is a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels and should the project go ahead, the 185 metre LNG ferry is planned to go into service on the Portsmouth to Caen route and operate alongside the Mont St Michel in 2019. The 1680 passenger vessel will have 257cabins and space for up to 550 cars. . .22.12.16.
DFDS Leading The Way
DFDS has won the title" World's Leading Ferry Operator 2016" for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Industry Awards Ceremony held in the Maldives recently. DFDS which operates channel crossings Newhaven- Dieppe, Dover - Calais and Dover - Dunkirk is also about to celebrate its 150th anniversary. . .12.12.16.
Ferries See French Sea Marshals
Armed French Sea Marshals have begun high visibility patrols on board cross channel passenger ferries this week as an anti-terrorist measure. The armed officers are part of the Marine Gendarmerie and will maintain a programme of random and regular patrols and have the capability of being landed by helicopter while ferries are at sea. . .03.08.16.
DFDS Sees Two Familiar Returnees
DFDS is boosting its Dover to Calais sailings with the return of two newly refurbished ferries, Côte des Dunes(ex Rodin) now in service and sister ship Côte des Flandres(ex Berlioz) due to enter service w/c 22 February. Familiar sights on the route, they will join the Calais Seaways to provide 15 return sailings, Mondays to Fridays, with 13 return sailings on Saturdays and 10 on Sundays. Meanwhile the Dover to Dunkirk route is expected to receive a third ship to increase the number of return sailings. . . 12.02.16.
Eight EU Driving Offences Can Follow You Home(Eventually)
UK drivers who commit traffic offences in EU member states and not dealt with by on the spot fines or a judicial process, will have their penalties forwarded to their home address. Under a new Eu Cross Border Directive 2015/413, the EU transport policy must be adopted by EU Member States by 1 May 2015. However three countries, UK, Ireland and Denmark have a later adoption deadline of 1 May 2017. Eight specific offences are included in the legislation of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a mandatory signal, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs, using a mobile device at the wheel, using a restricted or reserved lane illegally and for motorcyclists, not wearing a crash helmet. . . 04.07.15.
Brittany Ferries to Launch “No Frills” Crossings
Brittany Ferries is to launch économie, its “no frills” crossings between Portsmouth and Le Havre and a weekend return sailing between Portsmouth and Santander. Scheduled to start late March 2014, the no frills approach will use the former DFDS Norman Voyager. Designed as lower cost fare options on travel to France or Spain, they will augment Brittany Ferries’ range which includes cruise-style and premium high speed services. . .07.02.14.
Passport OK But Don’t Forget Your EHIC
Renewing your EHIC(European Health Insurance Card) might get overlooked in the pre- travel arrangements. Ehic entitles UK residents to free or reduced cost medical treatment while temporarily visiting a European Union country and about 3 miliion cards are due for renewal. To apply for or renew your free card simply go to Ehic but remember to allow at least seven days from application. Children should also be included in the application. If travelling outside the Eu, check the website regarding the cover available and remember to make sure you have adequate provision within your travel insurance as the EHIC scheme is not designed to be a substitute. Applying in Ireland: Ehic Separate links for applying and renewing.
Applying In France:Ehic/Cpam Caisses Primaires d'Assurance Maladie. . . 21/05/13.
ECB
to Issue New Euro Banknotes
The European
Central Bank is to issue
a new series of Euro banknotes
featuring the goddess
Europa. The new notes,
the first to be issued
since the Euro’s
launch on 1 June 1999,
are to be phased in starting
with the new 5 Euro note.
The notes will continue
to feature bridges and
arches and both issues
will circulate in parallel
until the ECB announces
its intended withdrawal
programme. . .10/01/13
New
French Motoring Laws for
2012
New laws
covering sat navs, breathalyser
kits and hi-vis clothing
will increasingly apply
to motorists and motorcyclists
visiting France in 2012.
Sat navs or gps device
with speed camera alerts
have been banned under
French Law since 3 January
2012 as part of a tougher
stance on speeding. In
addition 400 new fixed
cameras are being installed.
Motorists are being advised
to either disable speed
camera alerts or contact
their device's manufacturer.
Failure to comply could
result in a fine up to
€1500, confiscation
of the device and the
vehicle.
Motorists and motorcyclists(not
mopeds)must carry disposable
single use breathalyser
kits from 1 July 2012.
They must carry the French
NF certification mark
and failure to produce
will result in a €11 fine
when the law is enforced
from 11 November 2012.
The individual single
use breathalyser units
normally have a shelf
life of 12 months and
it is recommended that
each driver carries two
in case of being stopped.
The permitted alcohol
level in France is low
at just 0.5 g per litre
of blood.
Starting 1 January 2013
Motorcyclists and their
passengers(over 125cc
and tricycles over 15Kw/h)
will also be required
to wear CE approved hi-vis
vests to bring them in
line with other motorists.
. .13/03/12
LD
Launches New Dover Calais
Service with DFDS
LD in
partnership with DFDS
begin the new service
on February 17 with an
initial one boat service
offering five
sailings in each direction.
The launch comes in the
wake of the sad demise
of Seafrance and the new
service is
looking to allocate a
second vessel to the route
in the near future. .
.04/02/12
Brittany
Ferries' New Bilbao Service
Sets Sail
Brittany
Ferries' inaugural service
to Bilbao begins and marks
the company's first new
destination for 25 years.
The twice weekly sailings
range in duration from
25 -32 hours and will
arrive at a brand new
port terminal at Zierbena.
The route will be served
by the recently refurbished,
luxury cruise ferry, the
Cap Finistère .
. .04/04/11
LD
Withdraws Dover - Boulogne
Service
LD
has announced the withdrawal
of its Dover - Boulogne
service from 5 September
2010 citing ferry overcapacity
on the Dover Straits resulting
in lower than expected
tourist turnover. LD is
currently investigating
the possibility of running
a freight only service
on the route. . .24/08/10
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