UK holidaymakers in popular destination warned over £430 fines this summer
The area is tightening up rules over getting about the resort
Tourists using electric scooters in Benidorm could now be hit with hefty fines following a major crackdown in the holiday hotspot. Benidorm is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations with hundreds of thousands of British tourists visiting the seaside town each year.
Spanish officials have now said they are tightening up rules around using electric scooters in the area and anyone found to be flouting new rules could be fined £427 (€500). This includes anyone using a scooter to deliver goods.
Benidorm's Mobility councillor, Francis Muñoz said: "In general national and local laws prohibit transporting goods in vehicles which are not designed for that purpose."
He added: "We have spotted increasing numbers of scooters breaking the law but over the next few weeks, users will be warned in an awareness campaign."
According to Muñoz persistent offenders will be fined and that his priority was road safety. Benidorm's Policia Local have already begun monitoring the area to ensure riders are following the laws, reports Birmingham Live.
Mobility Solutions Direct has issued fresh guidance, warning of the increased police scrutiny regarding the insurance of mobility scooter users.
Lee Cartwright, an expert from the company, said: 'The resort is facing issues due to its popularity, particularly with the increasing complaints about mobility scooters.
"Problems arise from people renting them just for fun. The local council has expressed a desire for these scooters to be used responsibly and only for genuine needs.'
Mr Cartwright advised getting proper insurance to offer vital protection. He also says to avoid unnecessary use. 'If you can walk safely without one and you don't have a permit for one, it is best not to ride a mobility scooter to avoid a fine,' he added.
The expert also said to adhere to the speed limits and to not carry another person on your mobility scooter, as they are strictly for sole use.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Around 20 scooters are subject to a daily spot check in addition to obvious law breakers being pulled over.
Benidorm was recently branded 'The worst place on Earth' by some, despite the resort town attracting roughly 800,000 British holidaymakers annually. Indeed, for certain travellers, its title stems precisely because of the influx of Brits each year.
YouTuber Ben Morris set off to Benidorm investigating whether its infamous notoriety is merited, pointing out that many attribute the resort's issues primarily to one thing: "Brits abroad."
Ben observes that English is far more common than Spanish even in the scenic Old Town, stating: "Lots of people refer to Benidorm as 'Mini Britain,' with the British greatly surpassing the local population."
He was taken aback by the sheer number of people thronging the streets, saying: "I knew that this was a popular holiday destination but I was really thrown off by how busy it actually was.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Iconic seaside city 53-miles from London gets new £5 direct bus route
Londoners dreaming of escaping the bustling city during the UK's ongoing heatwave can now travel over 50 miles to one of the country's most popular seaside resorts for less than £5 Getting to the coast just got a whole lot easier (and cheaper) thanks to a handy new bus route. With temperatures slated to hit a sweltering 38C, there has truly never been a better time to escape the Big Smoke and cool yourself down in crystal-clear water - even if it's just for the day. Brighton has long been a popular coastal destination for Londoners due to its close proximity and eclectic offerings. Famed for its Blue Flag golden sandy beaches, an impressive pier that stretches 1,722 ft into the English Channel, and its inclusive atmosphere, Brighton is one of the UK's most recognisable resorts in the UK. It's the perfect place to shop for vintage clothing, play in the arcades, and end the evening watching the sunset while gorging on fish and chips. "Ever since royal party animal George IV fell in love with Brighton back in the 18th Century, the city has been a magnet for visitors in search of fun, frolics and fresh sea air," hails Visit Brighton. "With its majestic Regency squares and crescents, iconic Royal Pavilion and famous piers, today Brighton is as well-known for being a welcoming and diverse city with a passion for culture, creativity and sustainability as it is for its historic landmarks." Earlier this week, FlixBus - which whizzes passengers to more than 6,800 destinations across more than 40 countries in its bright green coaches - revealed it was launching a new route, linking London to Brighton. The new connections, which will run twice a day, costing as little as £4.49 each way. "Londoners now have even more affordable, sustainable, and reliable travel options for weekend getaways, airport connections, and visiting friends and family this summer," hailed Andreas Schorling of FlixBus UK. "Brighton is an iconic British destination and we're excited to offer a direct route from the capital just in time for the warmer months." The 53-mile journey takes around two and a half hours, which is its only downside. Travelling to Brighton by train is much faster, and takes between 58 minutes and one hour and 10 minutes depending on the route. However, single adult fares as almost double the price - averaging out at £8. If you're itching for a mini-staycation, there is a whole range of accommodation types in Brighton to suit your budget. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, July 4-6) at a 'charming' townhouse will set you back just £176. This is based on two adults sharing a double room with a shared bathroom. However, it's worth pointing out that this property is located 1.6 miles from the centre. For those wanting a more luxurious weekend, check out Leonardo Hotel. Conveniently located next to Brighton Railway Station, the four-star hotel is a 15-minute walk to the beach, and is within close proximity to the Laines, Brighton Dome, Theatre Royal Brighton and the Gardner Centre. Staying here, in a standard double room, on the exact same nights cost £409.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I went on holiday to Spanish island and couldn't wait to get home'
One holidaymaker visiting a Spanish island admitted she 'couldn't wait to get home' after heading there, as she shared a warning to other travellers in a video that's gone viral Most people look forward to their summer holiday all year after booking it. However, one holidaymaker visiting a Spanish island admitted she 'couldn't wait to get home' after heading there, as she shared a warning to other travel fans. Dannii, who is known on TikTok as @dannii_xo, took to her account to share her experience of visiting Playa Del Inglés in Gran Canaria with her 3,747 followers – and it wasn't a very glowing review. In her clip, Dannii can be seen filming herself while laying down as she looked glum. Overlay text read: "This is your sign to do your research before booking a holiday, we can't wait to get home." The video clearly resonated with people as it went viral – racking up 29,000 likes and hundreds of comments. Many people admitted they'd had a similar experience in the area, as one person said: "We were there last week. First day was pure panic because we were in Playa Sel Inglés and went down to the beach and were like [crying emoji]. They added: "Catch a busy to Maspalomas, there's lots of nice eating places. Bus to Puerto Rico and go to Amadores, the beach is so much nicer! And from Puerto Rico get the ferry to Mogán. It was honestly BEAUTIFUL!" Another person added: "We had the same feeling," while a third chimed in: "Yeah Playa is not the best at all, nothing there. Went down the Yumbo centre for a night out that was ok. Tenerife is my new go to!" Someone else also claimed there was "nothing there", but told Dannii to get the bus either way and "she'd be ok". Meanwhile, other people recommended she go to Puerto Rico or Meloneras and Maspalomas instead, however Dannii replied: "I don't think I'll be coming back because it's really put me off, I love main Spain but this experience has been awful!" Someone else reflected on how things had changed on the island, as they wrote: "That's a shame because Gran Canaria used to be the place to be. Particularly Yumbo but we haven't been in 4/5 years as people have been saying it's getting worse." Despite a lot of people agreeing with Dannii, one person defended the area, writing: "Playa Del Ingles was literally one of my favourite vacations. So pretty. Some days just chilling at the pool or beach and other days going to see the nature. The dunes, the mountains." While another simply said: "I love Gran Canaria." A third chimed in: "Playa Del Ingles? Mate. Get yourself to Sakura or Cafe Deutsche... El Chacho in Yumbo do amazing Mexican food. It isn't as boring or bland as you think." Dannii later gave an update as she shared more insight to her holiday experience, writing: "FYI: I wasn't talking about the whole island, just the town we're staying in. The hotel's awful, the locals have been incredibly rude for absolutely no reason, I can't travel too far out as I'm with family members that are elderly and it's too much for them. "I did catch a bus to Puerto Rico which was beautiful and I've only booked one trip because everything is so pricey, I feel like I'm being scammed, inflation has increased massively which I get but my family came two years ago and the prices have doubled." Dannii's post comes amid protests and demonstrations over mass tourism in the Canary Islands have taken place over the last year. Protestors took to the streets to demand limits on the impact of holidaymakers, claiming 'tourism is killing the Canary Islands'. Despite this, National Statistics Institute (NSI) figures showed the number of tourists visiting the Canary Islands has continued to grow, even with price hikes.
Evening Standard
3 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Guatemala is the Central American country that adventurers need to know
After stuffing our bellies with pepián (a Guatemalan stew) and fresh juice, we take a short boat ride to San Miguel, home to the archaeological site of Tayasal, the last Mayan city to yield to the Spanish conquest in 1697. The excavation project began in 2021 to better understand the site where Mayan inhabitants settled in 900 BC during their Preclassic period. While much of it is still under black plastic covers, we see some of the findings at Peten Regional Museum of the Mayan World, where they sit among other collections of artefacts from sites including Tikal, Yaxha, and Uaxactún.
