Christmas travel - as it happened: Bristol Airport closed while road and rail passengers suffer delays on 'frantic Friday'

Holidaymakers take to the roads in their droves, prompting warnings of travel chaos

A lorry burst into flames on the M40, causing long delays (Biceser Fire Station)

Two lorry fires and a closed runway at Bristol Airport caused travel misery on what was dubbed "frantic Friday" three days before Christmas.

The RAC estimated around 11 million separate getaway trips will take place before Christmas Day, with 1.3 million motorists taking to the road.

The M6 and M40 were among the roads worst affected after two separate lorries caught fire on Friday afternoon.

Drivers on the A303, which runs past Stonehenge, were told to expect traffic — last Christmas, drivers experienced 13 hours of tailbacks.

For a run-through of the day's events, check our liveblog below.

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Meanwhile, a plane coming off the runway at Bristol Airport caused travel disruption for thousands of people embarking on the Christmas getaway.

Twenty-five people were on board the BMI flight from Frankfurt when it left the runway as it was taxiing to the terminal shortly after 11.30am on Friday.

No-one was injured and passengers were taken to the terminal building by coach.

Key Points

• 7.30pm Bristol Airport remains closed for the evening
• 5.30pm Second lorry fire causes delays on the M6
• 4.30pm Serious collision on the A47
• 1.30pm Plane comes off runway at Bristol airport
• 1pm Lorry bursts into flames on M40 near Bicester

[22 December 2017 10:50 · Harriet Agerholm]

Welcome to The Independent's live blog on the ensuing travel mayhem. We'll keep you up to date so you can plan ahead. Failing that, at least we'll give you something to read when you're stuck in the back of a cramped car in a traffic jam.

[22 December 2017 11:05 · Harriet Agerholm]

The Met Office has said the day is set to be cloudy and mild — dashing hopes of a white Christmas

[22 December 2017 11:18 · Harriet Agerholm]

One lane remains closed northbound on the M1 after a van burst into flames. Here's a photo of that scene earlier this morning. The fire has now been put out and the scene is being cleaned up, Highways England said, adding: "delays are already reducing".

[22 December 2017 11:24 · Harriet Agerholm]

The A63 in Yorkshire is now fully open in both directions after a crane struck two bridges. Delays should start to ease now, according to Highways England.

Here's a picture from the scene earlier:

[22 December 2017 11:45 · Harriet Agerholm]

Another lorry is on fire. This time on the M40 outside Oxford. Highways England warned there is a lot of smoke in the area, so drive safe.

[22 December 2017 12:44 · Harriet Agerholm]

Only one lane is open on the M40 between junction 10 and 9 because of that lorry fire

[22 December 2017 12:48 · Harriet Agerholm]

Emergency services appear to have put out the fire now. According to lorry driver Peter Reynolds, the vehicle was transporting beer.

[22 December 2017 12:55 · Harriet Agerholm]

The driver of the lorry that burst into flames near Oxford is safe, according to logistics company Eddie Stobart, which owns the vehicle. It said it was investigating the incident and apologised for the delays caused.

[22 December 2017 13:08 · Harriet Agerholm]

We have some video from the scene on the M40 where traffic has been moving slowly

[22 December 2017 13:16 · Harriet Agerholm]

Plane skids off runway

All flights at Bristol Airport have been halted after an aircraft came off the runway.

Twenty-five people were on board the Embraer 145 jet when the incident occurred at 11.36am on Friday while it was taxiing after landing from Frankfurt, Germany.

An airport spokeswoman said there were no injuries and the plane was towed to an aircraft stand.

Passengers on other flights scheduled to land or take off at Bristol suffered severe disruption as the runway was closed.