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 13:36 · Harriet Agerholm]

Bristol Airport has advised passengers to contact their airline for the latest flight information, but customers are complaining they have been left without any information.

[22 December 2017 13:39 · Harriet Agerholm]

A helpful rundown if you are unsure of the best way to travel over the Christmas period

[22 December 2017 13:58 · Harriet Agerholm]

More from the beer lorry blaze on the M40 earlier — emergency services worker Helen Smith said she saw "bottles of Stella exploding"

[22 December 2017 14:09 · Harriet Agerholm]

Bristol airport has said it is "too early to speculate" about what led the plane to come off the runway, but it is "confident" the incident was not related to poor visibility due to weather conditions. 

[22 December 2017 14:23 · Harriet Agerholm]

National Rail are advising that Southern services out of London Victoria are facing disruption for the rest of the day

[22 December 2017 14:30 · Harriet Agerholm]

Junctions are reopening on the M62 and roadworks have been cleared on the M60, according to Highways England, which should ease pressures on the motorways somewhat

[22 December 2017 14:48 · Harriet Agerholm]

The runaway at Bristol Airport closed after a plane skidded off its tarmac is due to reopen at 6pm local time, according to budget carrier easyJet

[22 December 2017 15:03 · Harriet Agerholm]

Rail lines have reopened in Harrington after a broken down train blocked the line between Workington and Whitehaven

[22 December 2017 15:13 · Harriet Agerholm]

Highways England is warning of severe fog on the A42, so take care.

There are long delays northbound and one of two lanes has been closed between junctions 11 and 12 after a crash involving two vehicles.

[22 December 2017 15:20 · Harriet Agerholm]

The plane coming off the runway at Bristol has stopped a number of flights from landing.

Many people are going to have long journeys today.