Out and about in Britain

We looked at directions and finding your way around a few weeks ago.  If you are planning to stay in the UK for some time, you may like to add some more phrases to your vocabulary.  This time it's not just about when you get lost, but general travel vocabulary as well.

When travelling by train or coach:

Excuse me, I think that's my seat.

(Said when you have a seat reservation but the seat is occupied by someone else.)

Is this ticket valid on this train?

Do I have to pay a supplement?

How far in advance do I have to book to get a reduction?

Can I upgrade to a first?

(Don't forget that the railways in Britain are divided into First Class and Standard Class.)

There's an unattended bag in one of the compartments.  Who should I speak to about it?

Do I have to change or is it a direct service?

How long are we likely to be kept here?

You're not allowed to put your feet on the seats.

You need a valid ticket before you travel.

If the ticket machine is broken, there's another machine that issues travel permits.

There is absolutely no smoking anywhere on this train or on railway premises.

There is absolutely no smoking anywhere in any covered public place in Britain nowadays, so if you are going to the UK and you smoke, now is a good time to quit!

Finding your way around on foot or by car:

Is the town centre to the left or the right?

(This may seem like an odd question to ask, but it is easy to lose your bearings when you arrive in a new place, even if you have a map.)

Excuse me, I can't see a street sign anywhere.  Is this Union Street?

No, Union Street's the next one along.  This is The Parade.

You've gone right past it.  It's that road over there.

Am I anywhere near Orchard Close?

You are, but it's on the other side of these houses.  If you go back to Salisbury Road it's the next one up.

Is there anywhere to park round here?

There's an NCP over there but it's a bit pricey.  There's nowhere you can park for free, but the supermarket has a car park for customers.  Most people use that, although you've got to buy something to get out again, or wait till the end of the day.

Supermarkets near the town centre don't mind people using their car parks, but you either have to pay quite a lot of money for it or show a receipt.  Many people park their cars there, go shopping in the town and then pick up one or two items from the supermarket.  That gets them a receipt and the supermarket gets a customer, so everyone's happy.

NCP stands for National Car Parks, or Licence to Print Money.

What's happened to my car?

It may have been towed away.

It might be at the car pound.  I can phone them and see if they've got it.

(A traffic warden might say this.)

We're not authorised to remove the wheel clamp.

You'll need to pay the fine first.

Have you got any ID on you?

Note: It is not yet necessary for people in the UK to carry ID cards in public places.  Nevertheless, it is useful to do so as it can save time if you are dealing with the authorities (police, traffic wardens etc).

Is it worth taking a bus?

Not really.  It's only a couple of stops.

You can get there by bus, but you have to change a lot.

There is a bus service, but you'll end up waiting a long time for it.  It isn't very frequent.

You've got off at the wrong stop.  You should have stayed on until you got to the roundabout by the park.

The bus that goes there has just gone.  The next one's in about twenty minutes.

I think I can see the problem.  When they said you should go left at the traffic lights, they meant the lights in the centre.  They must have forgotten about the pelican crossing back there.

Remember that a pelican crossing is the one where you press a button and wait for the green man to appear.  There are also puffin crossings and toucan crossings which are similar.

Do you know where the nearest footbridge is?

Is there a footbridge or a subway anywhere?

In Britain a subway is a passage under a road and not, as in American English, an underground railway.