Christmas getaway: Which trains are cancelled and where can you expect delays on ‘Frantic Friday’

The Christmas getaway has begun, with millions of motorists travelling on ‘Frantic Friday’ warned to expect lengthy delays on one of the busiest days of the year for travel.

Around 13 million are expected to take to the roads today despite advice warning against travelling on ‘Frantic Friday’ when motorways will be exceptionally congested.

Peak traffic is expected between 4pm and 8pm, with delays of up to four hours predicted on some major roads, as the last commuter traffic of the year clashes with people driving to see loved ones and last-minute shopping trips.

“Things tend to get worse on the last working day before Christmas, with ‘Frantic Friday’ this year falling on the 22 December,” said RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis.

“We strongly urge drivers planning long journeys to avoid this day if they possibly can.”

Airports will also be exceptionally busy today, with more than 4.5 million people expected to head abroad over Christmas and the new year.

Today is expected to be the busiest day for airports during the period from December 18 to January 2, travel trade organisation Abta said.

Train services will be disrupted today even though a planned strike by Virgin Trains staff on some of the busiest routes in the country was called off at the last minute.

The Met Office said: “No ice warnings are in place. The only weather warning is for rain on 24 and 25 December in North West Scotland.”

Latest travel information:

Roads

The worst traffic jams are expected to be on the M6 southbound between Merseyside and Staffordshire.

Other traffic hotspots include the M3 westbound in Surrey and the M74 southbound from Glasgow to Hamilton.

Long delays are also expected on the M1 in both directions and the M1 in Northern Ireland.

The worst non-accident traffic blackspot on the Friday before Christmas 2016 was the A303 at Stonehenge, with tailbacks stretching for seven miles.

However, almost 400 miles of roadworks will be lifted by Highways England to ease journeys.

Highways England’s customer service director Melanie Clarke said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible this Christmas and that’s why we’re keeping 99% of the road network we manage free from roadworks.”

Trains

Major improvement works on Britain’s rail network will be undertaken during Christmas and into the New Year.

Many of Britain’s mainline routes will be partially shut as Network Rail carries out its biggest ever Christmas investment programme.

Great Western Railway

London Paddington will be closed between Christmas Eve and December 27. Passengers are being urged to complete journeys by Saturday “at the latest”.

The West Coast

The West Coast main line will be halted between Preston and Lancaster from Christmas Eve to December 27, with buses replacing trains.

London and Glasgow

Passengers travelling between London and Glasgow during this time are advised to go via Edinburgh, adding around an hour to journeys.

Southeastern

Southeastern, which serves London, Kent and East Sussex, will not be able to run trains to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street between Saturday and January 1.

Virgin Trains

Strike action by Virgin Trains workers over pay has now been called off after talks.

Merseyrail

Merseyrail said it will run a reduced service across its network on Friday, with RMT members pressing ahead with a 24-hour stoppage in a dispute over the role of guards.

Air

Friday is expected to be the busiest day during the period from December 18 to January 2, said travel trade organisation Abta, who has urged flyers to allow extra time to get to the airport.

“The weather in the UK looks set to be mild over the holiday period, which should help avoid travel disruption, but the roads will be exceptionally busy so customers should allow extra time to get to their departure port and check for line closures and engineering work if using public transport.”

Tube, Overground, TfL Rail, DLR & Tram

Waterloo & City Line: Christmas Eve, 24 December, no service.
TFL Rail: Saturday 23 December 2017 until Monday 1 January 2018, no service on the entire line.
Northern Line: There will be no Charing Cross branch trains between Charing Cross and Stockwell from approximately 00:00 until 02:00 on Friday night 22 / Saturday morning 23 December.
London Overground: There will be a special service on December 23 and 24 and no service between some stations. Rail replacement buses will operate.
District Line: Christmas Eve, 24 December, no service between many stations.
Circle Line: Christmas Eve, 24 December, no service between Aldgate and Edgware Road (via Victoria).

Tips for travelling

The Met Office says: “The secret to a successful and stress-free Christmas is planning and preparation. Just as you wouldn’t want to buy your presents in a Christmas Eve panic, it’s never sensible to leave planning your travel arrangements until the last minute either.”

Vince Crane, AA patrol of the year, says: “With Christmas falling on a Monday, many drivers may hope that journeys would be spread across the weekend – but it means more days of traffic as the getaway from work on Friday is followed by the last major shopping opportunity on Saturday and visits to friends and family on Sunday.”

He added: “On Friday, it’s likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes. Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it’s quieter or, if you have no choice, consider an alternative route to beat the jams.”

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/christmas-getaway-begins-motorists-warned-travel-chaos-delays/

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