Something To Declare: South Coast trains; driving in France
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As the story below demonstrates, go-as-you-please tickets are not always bargains.
Bargain of the week: South Coast trains
As the story below demonstrates, go-as-you-please tickets are not always bargains. But the train operator Southern offers an excellent £10 deal for days out in South-East England: unlimited travel along the South Coast from Southampton via Portsmouth, Brighton and Hastings, to Ashford International. It also allows travel to and from London terminals, and as far north as Watford Junction. By comparison, the cheapest day return ticket on the premier London Victoria to Brighton line is £16 on its own.
The £10 DaySave ticket is available if you book at least a week ahead on the Southern website ( www.southernrailway.com). It is even better value if you travel with three other people: the DaySave group ticket costs £20. Accompanying children are charged at £1 each. The ticket is valid at any time at weekends, but not before 10am from Monday to Friday nor on rush-hour trains out of London.
Warning of the week: driving in France
As mentioned on page 3, this weekend marks the start of the main holiday season in France. The Bison Futé ("Clever Buffalo") scheme offers specific warnings - in French only - on its website, www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. The worst jams are expected on the A7 south of Lyon. The 70-mile stretch between Vienne and Bollène should be avoided heading south on Friday afternoons and evenings, and from 6am to 5pm on Saturdays. Going north, the authorities advise that 9am-8pm on Saturdays are likely to be heavily congested.
Other pinch-points that are likely to affect British motorists are the A10 autoroute to south-west France at Tours; 9am-3pm are the hours to steer clear of when going south, noon to 5pm coming north.
And Saturdays from 9am-7pm are worth avoiding in either direction on the A9 between Perpignan and the Spanish border at Le Perthus.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments