Holidaymakers face travel chaos as campaigners threaten to block ALL routes into Cornwall in fury over second homes
HOLIDAYMAKERS could face travel chaos with protesters threatening to block major routes into Cornwall over fury at second home owners. A local campaign group has bragged there is “little to stop” it causing misery for millions of Brits planning a summer getaway to the South West. Cornwall is the most popular staycation destination in the […]
HOLIDAYMAKERS could face travel chaos with protesters threatening to block major routes into Cornwall over fury at second home owners.
A local campaign group has bragged there is “little to stop” it causing misery for millions of Brits planning a summer getaway to the South West.
Cornwall is the most popular staycation destination in the UK and typically attracts around five million visitors a year.
Like other holiday hotspots across England it has been especially inundated this year due to the chaos surrounding foreign holidays.
But people hoping to travel there could face a nightmare journey with Kernow Matters to Us activists threatening to blockade major roads.
Campaigners say they could bring traffic to a standstill on the A30 dual carriageway and the Tamar Bridge – the two main arteries into the county.
A spokesman for the group told the Falmouth Packet: “It is within our power to do these things and there is little to stop us.”
Second home fury
The number of second homes in Cornwall has long been a source of controversy, with complaints locals are priced out of the housing market.
Kernow Matters to Us will hold a protest in the county’s capital, Truro, on August 21 to highlight the issue.
But it is not ruling out escalating its response further and blocking major roads if the crisis isn’t addressed by the local council and Westminster.
Cornwall has the most empty houses in the country, with some 13,642 registered second homes.
There is little to stop us
Kernow Matters to Us
Brits have flocked to popular staycation hotspots this summer after ministers encouraged people not to book holidays abroad.
Environment secretary George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth, told people to visit Cornwall rather than hitting beaches in Europe.
All senior members of the Government are thought to be taking their hols at home this year, including Boris Johnson who will visit Scotland.
On top of that, the chaos over foreign travel and quarantine rules has put many people off heading for warmer climes.
Brits jetting out to Mexico became the latest victims of the ever-shifting rules yesterday as the country was put on the red list.
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Some holidaymakers only found out in mid-air that they would have to return home almost immediately to avoid hotel quarantine.
Sun-seekers in Portugal were also caught out earlier in the summer when the country suddenly turned from green to amber.
The last-minute decision sparked a rush to the airports and chaotic scenes as Brits clambered to get home before self-isolation kicked in.