BRITAIN/Airport security:Britain remained on high alert yesterday, with airports and train stations the main focus of heightened security after last week's three attempted car-bombings in London and at Glasgow Airport.
Several airports, including Heathrow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Blackpool, retained additional security measures introduced over the weekend.
The British Airports Authority (BAA) said that access to forecourts and drop-off points at terminals across the UK was "severely restricted".
A spokesman said that people who normally drove right up to terminal entrances were being advised to take public transport or use short-stay car parks.
A number of airports have banned all cars, including taxis, from approaching terminal buildings.
Security was tight on the Heathrow Express train service from Paddington Station and armed police patrolled all approach roads to Britain's biggest airport, the focus of last summer's liquid bomb plot.
Concrete security bollards blocked entry to the front of the main terminal buildings and vehicles were allowed only restricted access to forecourt lanes some distance from the terminal.
In Heathrow's terminal one, departure point for most flights to Ireland, police vans cut off vehicle access to the departures area and armed officers stood guard.
Elizabeth Dunne (64), from the Liberties, was returning home after spending a week with her three children. "I'm very nervous about the whole situation," she said. "My children live here and all three of them use trains to get around all the time. You never know what could be targeted next.
"My son drove me to the airport this morning, but he couldn't drop me off at the door like he usually does. There were police everywhere, searching cars on the way in and making sure no one came near the main building."
Canadians Kathy and Kris Littlewood were travelling to Ireland for a holiday with their son Cole. From Calgary, they had briefly considered cancelling their plans after hearing about the attempted car-bombings in London last Friday.
"It had crossed our minds to cancel, but we had booked everything already so we decided to just give it a go," said Kris.
"Everyone seems to be taking the steps that need to be taken in terms of security and that's reassuring," said Kathy.
"It's not very different to the security we have at home and it certainly doesn't feel like an imposition."
Janet Khyne-san, a HR manager from London, was flying to Dublin for a business meeting. "Of course I'm concerned, but not to the point where I won't travel," she said. "I came here on the Heathrow Express and there were lots of armed police in Paddington Station.
"With the London bombings two years ago and now this, it makes you a lot more wary and vigilant when you live in London, but in the end you do have to get on with life and try not to let it get to you."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the US authorities have increased the number of air marshals on flights between the US and the UK in light of the failed attacks.
Rail passengers in London also experienced disruption as police conducted security sweeps on taxis, delivery vans and other vehicles at major rail hubs such as Liverpool Street, King's Cross, Euston and Paddington.
Scotland Yard said that there would be a higher police presence in the capital at mainline stations and on the streets to "act as a highly-visible reassurance".
Armed response vehicles have been deployed to patrol transport centres and officers have been instructed to use stop-and-search powers. "As a visible deterrent and disruptive tactic, officers will continue to use their powers of stop and search under the Terrorism Act," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
Scotland has been given extensive new powers of stop and search in the wake of the attack on Glasgow airport. The UK home secretary, Jacqui Smith, granted the additional powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, allowing all eight Scottish forces to stop any person or vehicle.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur praised the public for "showing such resilience during this challenging time for London". He said it was important for people to remain alert and vigilant.