UK: Escaped Tortoise Causes Railway Disruption

Solomon was going to be taken to a vet in Staines before his owner came forward (viral social media photo)
Solomon was going to be taken to a vet in Staines before his owner came forward (viral social media photo)
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UK: Escaped Tortoise Causes Railway Disruption

Solomon was going to be taken to a vet in Staines before his owner came forward (viral social media photo)
Solomon was going to be taken to a vet in Staines before his owner came forward (viral social media photo)

An escaped tortoise caused disruption for train services as it launched a low-speed escape attempt after trespassing on the railway.

The runaway reptile, named Solomon, was caught on the tracks near Ascot in Berkshire as he crawled along the rail towards Bagshot.

It led to the disruption of four services, The Independent reported.

Engineers picked the tortoise up and put it on the next passing train, with arrangements to drop it off at a vet in Staines.

A Network Rail Wessex Spokesperson wrote on X: “On Friday (19 July), there was a trespasser of an unusual nature on the tracks at Ascot as an escaped tortoise called Solomon was moving ‘at pace’ (according to the incident report) towards Bagshot.

“Network Rail teams arranged for the next train heading into Ascot from Aldershot to stop shortly to allow the tortoise to be rescued, getting the shellebrity onto the train to bring it into the station.

“Arrangements had been made to drop off the tortoise at a vets in Staines, however the owner was able to come and collect Solomon.

“We are sorry to any passengers who were disrupted during this incident. While we are delighted that this story has a happy ending and can reassure passengers that our everyone home safe, every day ambitions extend to pets, we must remind everyone that the railway is dangerous.

“Trains need several football pitches to stop from full speed and there are less obvious dangers such as the, always on, electrified third rail.

“We also ask that our lineside neighbours ensure that their fencing is secure to prevent human, or animal incursions onto the track.”

The internet erupted with memes of Solomon being seemingly detained by rail staff and others asking if it was going faster than national rail services in the region.

Another asked: “Why are my train delays never caused by things like this? (also who loses such a huge pet tortoise)”.

Network Rail suggested the owner’s home is next to the rail track and that the tortoise may have got through a gap in their fence.



Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
TT

Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)

Discover the hidden gem of the UK's coffee culture, where vibrant independent cafes outshine the chains, offering a unique blend of flavors and atmospheres.

“Fancy a brew?” “I'll put the kettle on then.” Hearing those words are no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK, The Daily Express newspaper reported on Monday.

It said grabbing a coffee either on the go or at a café is as part of British culture these days as it is in Italy.

But while every person has its favorite chain, be it Pret, Starbucks, Costa or Cafe Nero, nothing beats finding a decent independent coffee shop one can call home especially when it can seem high streets are dominated by the same chains.

So with the demand for coffee only growing, where is the best spot in the UK to find an independent coffee shop?

A study by Reviva Coffee reveals the UK city that is the hidden gem when it comes to thriving coffee culture.

And it probably isn't where you'd expect. In fact this county is synonymous with tea. Yorkshire Tea, to be precise.

However the study discovered the best UK city to find independent coffee shops is in the Yorkshire city of Leeds. It has a staggering 584 coffee shops, of which 86.3% are independent, and just under 14% are chains.

Placing second is Edinburgh. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just needing a cosy pit stop, Edinburgh has you covered with its outstanding coffee scene with 560 shops, 85% of which are independents.

In third for best UK cities for independent coffee shops is Bristol which has 347 coffee shops, 86.3% of which are independent.