[Athelstan]

I don't know if the UK press have covered this subject, but, should you be heading for Switzerland and then Italy in the next 4-6wks please be advised to avoid the E35 A2 motorway south of Luzern heading towards the Gotthard Tunnel for Italy.

The other day 125tonne piece of rock fell off a mountain onto the motorway and crushed two Germans in their car. The mountain needs to be "stabilized" and the road repaired.

This means that traffic is using the other major north south alpine crossings and are causing huge traffic tailbacks (10 to 20kms). Avoid the Gotthard, Simplon and San Bernadino passes when heading for Italy via Switzerland in the next 4wks at least.

Alternatively bend swingers can use the smaller twistier passes: instead of Gotthard route use the "Grimsel + Nurfen Pass" - instead of the San Bernadino use the "Grimsel + Furka + Oberalp + Lukmanier Pass" or head east to Chur then use the "Julier or Albula passes + Bernina Pass" into Italy for Monza.

Alternatively give Switzerland a miss and use the French alpine crossings into Italy.

Have fun - I will.