Town gets boost from silent Big Ben

A town in northern England has received a ringing endorsement from the BBC after the public broadcaster sought a replacement for the chimes of Big Ben.

The “Beeb” has traditionally announced its news bulletins to the “gongs” of Big Ben, in London’s Elizabeth Tower, but those bells have been silent since August to allow for essential repairs.

Since then, the BBC has been using pre-recorded chimes, but has now agreed to broadcast live chimes from the clock tower above Rochdale town hall — at least temporarily — after the urging of local and national politicians.

“It’s putting the town on the map. The town hall is a bit of a hidden gem, and I wish people would come and see it because it’s such a beautiful building,” Mayor Ian Duckworth told the Manchester Evening News.

Attacks bad for Cape Town

Mountaineers in Cape Town are sounding the alarm after a spate of attacks on hikers threatens its key tourist industry.

TRAVEL BRIEFS

In the latest incident reported by the Cape Argus, 11 hikers were held at gunpoint on a trail near Duiker Island, south of the city. Hiking guide Frank Dwyer said the “problem is going to persist and will affect all tourism” unless authorities take unified action. Tourism is central to Cape Town’s economy, with hikes up Table Mountain a highlight for many. Andre van Schalkwyk, a spokesperson for Table Mountain Watch, said more than 40 people have been attacked since the beginning of this year — and word is spreading.

Eastern Europe best for bargain

Travellers keen to stretch their European holiday budgets should look east, a survey suggests.

A city costs barometer complied by the U.K. Post Office reveals that Krakow, Poland, is the cheapest destination in Europe for a short break, with the remaining top 10 all dominated by Eastern European cities. A weekend in Krakow, which boasts Europe’s largest medieval city square, will set back visitors just $300 for two, not including flights.

Rounding out the top five were Vilnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; Warsaw, Poland; and Budapest, Hungary. Athens, Lisbon and Lille, France, were the only cities outside Eastern and Central Europe to make the list.

Air tower to be Ireland’s tallest

An air-traffic control tower at Dublin Airport is poised to become Ireland’s tallest building. The Irish Aviation Authority has begun construction on the 86.9-metre structure, which will be slightly taller than Belfast’s 85-m Obel Tower, currently the nation’s highest.

However, it will still be shorter than several transmitters, power station chimneys and cathedral towers on the island, the Irish Independent reported.