Christmas Travel LIVE: Traffic chaos on motorways while getaways hit by cancelled flights
National Highways reports severe congestion across UK as millions take to roads ahead of Christmas
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of travellers hoping to reach home for Christmas have had to organise last minute alternatives, as flights, ferries and trains have been cancelled across the UK, while drivers face traffic chaos on motorways.
National Highways is reporting severe congestion on multiple roads across the country, including the M6, M5 and M25.
It said the M1 has now reopened although drivers were still warned of delays after emergency services were called to a van fire there on Monday morning.
More than 100 flights at Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, were cancelled on Sunday. Dozens of ferry routes in Scotland and Ireland were not running due to the bad weather, while rail passengers faced chaos as Northern cancelled all trains on 11 routes.
Snow over the weekend also caused chaos on the M62, with one lane closed, as millions have taken to the country’s motorways ahead of Christmas.
More snow is expected near the end December, with the Met Office forecasting ice, sleet and snow is set to hit the north of the country and perhaps also central areas.
However, conditions are expected to improve this week after the widespread disruption caused by the “perfect storm” of adverse weather conditions and road congestion. The forecaster is currently predicting a “grey Christmas” with some sunny spells and “extremely mild” temperatures.
Plane crash lands in high winds at UK airport as poor weather disrupts Christmas travel
Conditions expected to improve after bad weather disrupts Christmas travel
Met Office reveals whether white Christmas is coming to UK in forecast
How to avoid travel chaos on road and rail this Christmas and New Year
Map: When and where to expect the worst traffic jams this Christmas
Christmas getaway delays as more than 100 flights cancelled at Heathrow
Watch live: Planes struggle to land in strong winds at London’s Heathrow Airport
Watch live: Planes struggle to land in strong winds at London’s Heathrow Airport
Watch live as planes struggle to land in strong winds at London’s Heathrow Airport on Sunday (22 December).
Temperatures to be ‘extremely mild’ over Christmas
Looking ahead to next week, conditions are expected to improve and the UK could see a “grey Christmas”, rather than a white one.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: “We’re expecting to see some sunny spells further east and a lot of cloud from the west.
“Temperatures should rise considerably and it will be extremely mild over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“In England and Wales, temperatures will be well above average with some grey in the mix. We’re expecting an average of around 12C or 13C on Christmas Eve and 11C or 12C on Christmas Day. The usual average for this time of year is 7C or 8C so we’ll be around double where we usually are.
“Overnight temperatures in Scotland for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be extremely mild.”
Heathrow cancellations rise above 100 but most other airports are running smoothly
Sunday 22 December is the busiest day of the winter at three of the UK’s leading airports: London Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester. Operations at all three are running smoothly, unlike at London Heathrow where “flow-rate” restrictions have caused the cancellation of more than 100 flights.
The most significant problems in Europe outside Heathrow are at Funchal airport on the island of Madeira. Several flights have been diverted, including to the nearby island of Porto Santo and the Canary Islands.
An easyJet flight from Gatwick circled for 45 minutes to the northeast of Funchal before diverting to Tenerife. The inbound service from the island of Madeira to Gatwick has been grounded.
The airline told passengers: “We’re sorry that your flight has been cancelled. This is because strong winds in Madeira are preventing aircraft from arriving and departing. The safety of you and our crew is our highest priority and we thank you for your understanding.”
Travellers who were booked to fly home on the cancelled plane are entitled to be flown on any airline with seats available – but space is at a premium so close to Christmas.
Windy conditions could see gusts up to 75mph
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said that Sunday could see gusts of up to 75mph.
He said: “There will continue to be more challenging travel conditions, with coastal areas seeing around 50 to 60mph winds.
“Extremely exposed coastal areas could see up to 70 or 75mph and parts of the west are expected to see 40 or 50mph.
“In the evening we are expecting these to ease and gradually drop off.
“My advice for people travelling today and tonight is to take it easy, particularly in the north and east. The main concern is that there’s the potential for icy patches in some areas.”
Severe weather leads to train line closure
The train line between Crediton and Okehampton in south England have closed due to the weather, Great Western Railways have said.
In a post on social media, they said: “Due to forecasted severe weather between Crediton and Okehampton the line is closed.
“Train services between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton via Crediton have been suspended between Crediton and Okehampton. Disruption is expected until 18:00.”
Passengers complains about poor communication from ferry company
Stefan Donnelly, 35, had travelled from London to Scotland where he discovered his ferry from Cairnryan to Larne had been cancelled.
Mr Donnelly had planned to travel at 8pm on Saturday but has managed to rebook onto the 8pm sailing on Sunday.
The marketing manager, who is travelling home to Northern Ireland for Christmas, said communication from P&O Ferries had been poor as he only discovered his sailing had been cancelled from social media.
“I was on my way to Cairnryan yesterday and happened to check Twitter to discover my ferry was cancelled,” Mr Donnelly said.
“I stopped in Ayr and booked a night in a hotel there.
“There wasn’t any communication from P&O, I didn’t get an email or a text message or anything. I was on the phone for about an hour-and-a-half this morning but I eventually got through to someone.
“They were saying on the Twitter side that the 8pm ferry I’m getting today was full but then they weren’t actually, and I’m traveling as a foot passenger, which makes it easier for (P&O).”
Temporary air traffic restrictions in place at Heathrow due to weather
A spokesperson for British Airways said that adverse weather and “restrictions” on the number of flights able to take off and land had led to “a small number of cancellations”.
They added: “We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.”
NATs, which provides UK air traffic control, confirmed that “due to adverse weather, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at Heathrow.
“Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety.”
Met Office warn of sleet, snow, hail and icy conditions
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders, said: “We have slightly tweaked our weather warnings as the peak winds have now shifted slightly north.
“The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80 mph in coastal districts including Orkney. Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways.
“This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.
“Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and northwest.
“Those showers could turn to snow on the hills in the northwest of Scotland on Saturday evening, and then overnight and into Sunday. This chance of wintry showers extends to Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England. Snow will be focused over hills, where several cm may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning.”
Snow seen as weather warnings for wind continue to remain in place
Snow has been seen in places across the UK, as the Met Office warns of a “cold, blustery start” to Sunday with weather warnings in place.
On social media, they said: “It’s a cold, blustery start to Sunday, and as the sequence shows we’re even seeing a little snow in places this morning, chiefly over hills towards the north and west.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments