"The BBC Travel website will soon be closing down"

[Satsuma]

"Today, we’re announcing that we will be closing the BBC Travel website in February 2017.
We know how important regular and up-to-date reports on road, rail and other modes of transport incidents are for the UK audience. We have therefore been working on incorporating this information within the Local News offering online. You will be able to find all the latest severe travel incidents on our local live services and on news stories which feature travel disruption. We also hope to feed travel updates into the personalised news services we are developing."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/entries/68182816-070d-4600-9835-e83a4fadc13d

This is very disappointing. BBC Travel is by far (for me) the best local traffic news site. I find it much more accurate and timely than RAC or AA.
Hopefully the local BBC radio will still carry traffic bulletins though.

I guess I can understand why the BBC has decided this - they are a broadcaster not a travel site, but still...

Sats

[bungeejumper]

I guess I can understand why the BBC has decided this - they are a broadcaster not a travel site, but still...

Damn that public service remit. What idiot ever thought it would be a good idea?

BJ

[Stonge]

Unfortunately this mainly appealed to a male audience and, like most TV nowadays, the emergence of a dominant female influence within the BBC has scuppered this.

[swill453]

Unfortunately this mainly appealed to a male audience

Got a reference to that assertion?

Scott.

[Satsuma]

Unfortunately this mainly appealed to a male audience and, like most TV nowadays, the emergence of a dominant female influence within the BBC has scuppered this.

What on earth are you talking about?

I'm a female - are you saying my own "dominant influence" of liking and using the site is what caused it to be shut down? I didn't realise I was quite so powerful!

[oldtimer]

I'm with Satsuma - I had no idea that my (female) opinions influenced the BBC - I wish they did!
I also regret the news of the travel site demise and my gender has nothing to do with it - just found it useful!

[stooz]

I suspect its more the advent of live traffic services in satnavs and phones makes the viewing figures drop off significantly enough to question the expense vs viewing figures.

[Redmires]

Another nail in the coffin of great public broadcasting. I suspect it's more to do money though. Recent years have seen the BBC having to pay for the World Service, having to cough up for social care policies (free licences to old people) and there's been no increase in the licence fee for a few years now.

We said we would continue to offer travel news online as part of BBC News, but would close the Travel site and halt development of the Travel app as part of a plan to help save £15m.

Since successive governments have screwed the Beeb over then it's no surprise really. We as a nation won't be happy until the right wing press have got their way and we have no choice to use their paid for platforms.

[Stonge]

It's not just the Travel Website. Look what's happened to Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) and Dr Who, twaddle.

And ridiculous 'dramas' like Broadchurch where nothing ever happens, there's no dialogue, weird noises instead of music and all the characters walk around looking like they've got constipation.

[Slarti]

It's not just the Travel Website. Look what's happened to Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) and Dr Who, twaddle.

And ridiculous 'dramas' like Broadchurch where nothing ever happens, there's no dialogue, weird noises instead of music and all the characters walk around looking like they've got constipation.

Isn't Broadchurch on ITV?

Slarti

[stooz]

A few end up funded by bbc America which must make a decent advertising revenue to cover the bill

[Clitheroekid]

Isn't Broadchurch on ITV?

Me mind's made up, don't confuse me with facts!

[Stonge]

I believe ITV broadcasts TV programmes.

Maybe not...

[Satsuma]

I believe ITV broadcasts TV programmes.

Well, forgive us for being confused, but you are the one who brought up the whole TV channel thing with your quite bizarre and totally unsubstantiated comment about alleged female dominance, specifically within the Beeb:

Unfortunately this mainly appealed to a male audience and, like most TV nowadays, the emergence of a dominant female influence within the BBC has scuppered this.

It's not just the Travel Website. Look what's happened to Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) and Dr Who, twaddle. And ridiculous 'dramas' like Broadchurch

...before specifically listing Broadchurch, which is an ITV programme. To be clear, are you saying my amazing scuppering powers reach commercial television too? If so, I am definitely going to get a logo made for my cape.

Awaiting your clarification
ScupperGirl (formerly known as Sats)

[Stonge]

Yes

And TBH I'm full of admiration for the success of your gender over the last 50 years (apart from the TV 'dramas' - sentimental drivel mostly, radio dramas have always been a bit weird and don't really count).

What went wrong with Hilary? You let us (the human race) down there, supergirl.

[bungeejumper]

Planet earth calling Stonge, we are losing contact. Please confirm position. Over.

BJ