Friday to be busiest travel day of festive season
Emer Moreaubusiness reporter
Getty ImagesWith it expected to be the busiest day for Christmas travel, Britain’s roads, railways and airports are flooded with holiday travellers.
The AA warned of congestion on Friday, while a survey suggested as many as 24.4 million cars could be on the roads.
It is expected to be the busiest day of the Christmas period for airports, with 460,000 journeys planned.
Network Rail also advised passengers to check their journeys and book seats if possible.
Drivers were told to give additional time
The AA said this Christmas could be the busiest for UK roads and advised drivers to allow extra time to complete their journeys.
The insurer said most people driving during the festive period traveled less than 100 miles, meaning traffic congestion was likely at highway intersections and retail outlets.
Some of the junctions expected to be congestion hotspots near and outside London include the M3/M25 junction in Surrey, the M25 around Heathrow and the M25 around Bluewater in Kent.
Travelers outside London should expect congestion in areas including the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the M5/M6 junction near Birmingham, the M1 J10–15a in the East and South Midlands and the M4 motorway around Cardiff and Newport.
The M27 will be closed between Junction 9 (Whiteley/Park Gate) and Junction 11 (Fareham East/Gosport) from Christmas Eve until 4 January, so anyone traveling in Hampshire should plan alternative routes.
AA patrol specialist Shaun Jones said patience behind the wheel “will be the best gift you’ll get this year”.
“Plan ahead, check your route and allow extra time,” he said.
rail closures
Network Rail has also encouraged passengers to allow extra time for train journeys. Improvement works carried out over the Christmas period mean many routes will be closed or restricted.
You can find information about which routes will be closed due to repairs at: Network Rail website.
National Rail trains do not run on Christmas Day and only a small number will operate on Boxing Day.
Daniel Mann, director of industry operations at Rail Delivery Group, said: “We encourage our customers to reserve seats where possible, only bring luggage that is easy to carry and can fit in designated storage areas, and allow extra time for their journey.”
flights
Friday is expected to be the busiest day of the festive season for airports, but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said flying on Christmas Day was becoming more popular.
Recommended customers to know Their rights in case their flight is canceled or delayed.
In such a situation, airlines need to support passengers. This may include:
- Providing food and drink during long delays
- Covering accommodation costs in case passengers are delayed overnight
- Offering a refund or alternative travel if the flight is canceled
If your flight is canceled and it is covered by UK law, your airline must allow you to choose between receiving a refund or booking an alternative flight.
You can check if your flight is covered by UK law. Here.
The CAA also said travelers can minimize the risk of delays by ensuring their luggage is packed correctly.
This includes leaving gifts unwrapped in case they need to be inspected.
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