Travel news live: Christmas getaway weekend delays after M25 crash and 80mph wind weather warnings in place
RAC estimates 22.7 million drivers will hit the roads as people get away for Christmas
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Your support makes all the difference.Weather warnings will kick in for parts of the UK on Saturday morning as millions more people get away for Christmas.
Roads and public transport could be disrupted by strong winds as the Met Office forecast a wet and windy weekend for many.
The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers hit the road on Friday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.
It projected that Saturday would see 22.7 million drivers and Sunday 21.3 million.
But Met Office yellow warnings have issued for parts of the UK this weekend, with the RAC warning travelling could be a “pretty exhausting experience” due to the conditions.
Yellow warnings for wind are in place from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday in the North West, the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sunday’s warning will also include London, the South East, the South West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday with 50-60mph gusts expected, with a small chance of some reaching 80mph.
What time will Christmas Eve trains finish?
Christmas Eve will mostly be everyone’s final chance to reach their Christmas destination for the holidays, as no passenger trains will run in the UK on Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be similar, except for some rare exceptions.
On 24 December, trains will start to roll into their depots ahead of Christmas from late afternoon onwards.
The last direct trains on key intercity routes are:
- London King’s Cross-Edinburgh: 5.30pm/Edinburgh-London King’s Cross: 4.13pm
- London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly: 5.55pm/Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston: 6.13pm
- London Paddington-Cardiff Central: 7.48pm/Cardiff Central-London Paddington: 8.18pm
- London Victoria-Gatwick Airport: 8.45pm/Gatwick Airport-London Victoria: 7.32pm
- Bristol Temple Meads-Leeds: 4.35pm/Leeds-Bristol Temple Meads: 4.11pm
- Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen: 6.41pm/Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street: 6.36pm
All Caledonian Sleeper services are cancelled until 27 December.
Where will the worst traffic jams be?
The AA has released its predictions of where the worst snarl ups will be on the roads over the festive period and which days drivers can expect the most traffic.
Today, Friday December 20 is expected to see the most cars on the road, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip.
The breakdown rescue company predicts that the joint second worst days for congestion over the festive period will be tomorrow Saturday December 21 and Monday December 23, each with 22.7 million drivers on the road.
It has identified several likely congestion hotspots, including:
- M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
- M25 near Heathrow airport, west London
- M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham
- M60 near the Trafford Centre, Manchester
- M1 near Meadowhall, Sheffield
See the AA’s map of the worst traffic jams:
When and where to expect the worst traffic jams this Christmas
The busiest days have also been revealed
How to avoid this airport luggage mistake this Christmas
Heathrow Airport, the UK’s largest and busiest aviation hub, has advised travellers not to wrap gifts on their website as “as security staff may wish to view them”.
The airport said in a blog post: “Wrapped gifts can be viewed as concealed packages and may need to be screened, opened and searched by airport staff. If you are taking wrapping paper and gift bags with you, make sure they fold flat so they won’t get creased. And if you’re expecting a festive haul on The Big Day, make sure you pack a swag bag to bring them all back safely!”
Other airports and airlines have also offered up similar advice.
Natalie Wilson has more:
The airport luggage mistake which could cost you this Christmas
Those taking off should put down the bows before they board this December
Weather warnings issued
Weather warnings have been issued for parts of the UK as the Christmas getaway begins.
Yellow warnings for wind have been issued in the North West and the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.
Sunday’s warning will also include London, the South East and South West, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday with 50-60mph gusts expected, with a small chance of some reaching 80mph.
The strong winds will be more widespread on Sunday, meteorologists said, but the weather will be “exceptionally mild” by Christmas Day.
Euston station expected to be ‘extremely busy’ over Christmas, rail authority warns
As many make their way back up North or down south into London during the Christmas period as they come and go visiting friends and family or making their way back to work are warned some rail routes will be very busy.
Passengers travelling between the North and London are advised that London Euston is expected to be extremely busy.
Christmas rail work, which is affecting journeys into London Paddington and London St Pancras stations, means more passengers are expected to travel through Euston station over the festive period.
Network Rail has recommended that passengers travelling to or from Euston on the West Coast Main Line, are advised to travel before Tuesday 24 December or after Thursday 2 January.
Strong winds to impact Scotland’s transport network over the weekend
Travel in Scotland over the weekend ahead of the Christmas celebrations is predicted to be impacted, as strong winds set to hit and gusts in excess of 80 mph in coastal districts.
Douglas Cairns from Transport Scotland said: “The strong winds across Scotland this weekend are expected to have an impact on the transport network.
“Road, rail, air and ferry services are all likely to be affected by the conditions, with longer journey times and cancellations possible, as well as potential restrictions on bridges. The network is also expected to be busier than usual, given it’s the last weekend before Christmas.
“As always, we ask travellers to plan their journeys before setting off to ensure they reach their festive celebrations in good time. If you’re driving, make sure your vehicle is winter ready and follow any Police Scotland travel advice that may be in place. Traffic Scotland provides up-to-date travel information on the trunk road network through its website, X account and internet radio broadcasts.
“The same advice goes for other modes of transport – if you are planning to travel by rail, air or ferry, stay in contact with your operator for the latest service information.”
Airports busy but running smoothly – with one Ryanair diversion
Passengers are flowing in and out of the UK’s airports smoothly on what for several of them – London Heathrow, Luton, Newcastle and Glasgow – is the busiest in the winter.
Most flights are leaving and arriving largely on time, though some arrivals from the US were a couple of hours behind schedule.
One irregular operation involved a Ryanair flight from Vilnius in Lithuania to the airline’s main base, London Stansted.
The Boeing 737 Max operating flight FR542 took off normally and flew for half-an-hour before turning back and diverting to another Lithuanian city, Kaunus.
The plane stayed on the ground for about 90 minutes then continued its journey to London.
The Independent has contacted Ryanair for comment.
Everything to remember if you’re flying away this Christmas
As millions flock to UK airports this Christmastime and into the New Year, there are several things that will make life much easier ahead of travelling.
Making sure your holiday money is sorted in advance, researching customs rules and making sure you can reach the airport amid train cancellations and planned closures are among some top tips to try and make Christmas air travel less stressful.
For more Christmas holiday tips from Simon Calder, read here:
Everything to remember if you’re flying this Christmas
Check you can reach the airport, don’t wrap presents you’re taking through security and go easy on the celebration drinks
Northern Rail announce Cgristmas cancellations
The state-run rail firm Northern has announced a wide range of cancellations in northwest England for Sunday.
The train operator said: “Recently, we have seen higher levels of cancellations in the North West and for that we are sorry.
“The underlying reason is train crew availability, in particular on Sundays which is contractually outside of the working week.”
On six routes, buses with replace trains. “Journeys will be longer and less frequent,” Northern warns. The routes are: Preston - Colne Preston - Blackpool South Oxenholme - Windermere Stockport - Chester Stockport – Crewe Wigan North Western – Euxton - Preston
There could also be long gaps on service of up to four hours on other lines, such as Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton.
Serious collision on A38 in Devon
The A38 in Devon is closed westbound between the between A380 (Kennford) & B3344 (Chudleigh) due to a serious collision.
Devon & Cornwall Police and emergency services are currently on scene.
Diversion Route
Road users are advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on road signs.
- Heading south on Devon Expy/A38.
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn slightly left onto A380 (signs for Torquay).
- Take the B3195 exit towards Kingsteignton/Ideford/Combe.
- Continue onto B3195.
- Keep left to stay on B3195.
- At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Strap Lane.
- At the roundabout, continue straight onto Clay Pits Way/B3193.
- Continue onto B3344.
- Turn right to merge onto Devon Expy/A38 towards Plymouth.
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