Drivers in Britain are being advised to exercise extreme caution as strong winds and rain are forecasted to impact travel over the Christmas period.
The severe weather is expected to hit hardest on Thursday afternoon, coinciding with the end of term for many schools in southern England, leading to a surge in traffic.
Peak congestion is anticipated on Friday, with the RAC predicting 13.5 million leisure journeys by car between Friday and Christmas Eve. The AA estimates that over 40% of motorists will be on the roads this Friday.
Transport analysts, Inrix forecast daily delays of around 40 minutes from December 22 to 24, with the M25 clockwise from London experiencing the worst traffic jams. Additional delays are expected on the M1 north from Woburn and the M6 south from Wigan to Stafford.
Rail disruptions include closed London stations and reduced services due to engineering work.The Met Office has issued weather warnings across the UK, prompting the AA to caution drivers about potential debris and fallen trees. It is advised to travel before 11 am or after 6 pm to avoid heavy traffic.
National Highways will clear over 1,000 miles of roadworks on England’s motorways for the holiday period. On the railways, Network Rail plans fewer engineering works than usual, but some disruptions are still expected.
London Paddington will be closed from Christmas Eve to December 27, affecting mainline trains to Heathrow, and London King’s Cross will also be closed on Christmas Eve. There will be no train services on Christmas Day and a limited service on Boxing Day.
Avanti West Coast will shorten its service hours on Christmas Eve and delay the start of services on December 27 due to engineering work and staff shortages. The company advises travelers to book in advance and has removed peak fares for the festive season.
Airports are bracing for high passenger numbers, with Heathrow expecting 6.5 million travelers this month. Friday is forecasted to be the busiest day, with easyJet predicting its busiest Christmas Day ever and Tenerife being a popular destination for festive travelers.