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Christmas getaway traffic remains steady on UK roads Christmas getaway traffic remains steady on UK roads
(35 minutes later)
Roads have been "fairly steady" on Friday as travellers go home for Christmas, after warnings that it could have been the season's busiest day.Roads have been "fairly steady" on Friday as travellers go home for Christmas, after warnings that it could have been the season's busiest day.
The AA motoring group had expected roads to be busiest from early evening onwards but said drivers had prepared well.The AA motoring group had expected roads to be busiest from early evening onwards but said drivers had prepared well.
On the rail network, a record number of engineering works begin later.On the rail network, a record number of engineering works begin later.
There is also the threat of disruption in much of the UK as Storm Barbara takes hold. Parts of the UK were hit by high winds of up to 91.5mph as Storm Barbara took hold.
Traffic and weather news on the BBCTraffic and weather news on the BBC
WeatherWeather
The Met Office said the worst of the weather was expected on Friday, with gusts of up to 90mph forecast in parts of Scotland. Wind gusts of more than 70mph were recorded in northern England on Friday, the Met Office said, and there were gusts of 75mph in Wales as Storm Barbara swept across the country.
It has issued an amber warning for northernmost Scotland to "be prepared" from midday. In Scotland, high winds have resulted in power cuts, school closures and poor travelling conditions. A wind gust of 91.5mph was recorded at Scalpay Bridge in the Western Isles at about 16:00 on Friday.
Elsewhere, Storm Barbara is expected to bring severe gales and rain to the north and west of the UK. A Met Office amber warning for wind remains in force for northernmost Scotland.
However, Christmas Eve will see mild air sweep the country overnight and Christmas morning is expected to be very mild - reaching up to 15C. In Northern Ireland, nearly 1,000 homes were without power on Friday evening.
The initial warmth is expected to give way to a spell of windy weather, with the strongest winds across the north of England and in southern Scotland. However, Christmas Eve will see mild air sweep through the UK overnight and Christmas morning is expected to be very mild - reaching up to 15C (59F) .
Temperatures in the north will turn much colder later on Christmas Day and into Boxing Day morning, with the chance of blustery showers turning into snow, the Met Office said. This is expected to give way to a spell of windy weather, with the strongest winds across the north of England and in southern Scotland.
The Met Office has now named the weather due to hit the north of the UK on Christmas Day, as Storm Conor. Temperatures in the north will turn colder later on Christmas Day and into Boxing Day morning, with the chance of blustery showers turning into snow, the Met Office said.
This is in line with the Met Office's alphabetical policy of naming storms when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. The weather that is due to hit the north of the UK on Christmas Day has been named Storm Conor.
RoadsRoads
The AA predicted Northern Ireland would have the busiest roads, with 55% of its members there saying they planned to drive at least 20 miles on Friday. The AA predicted about 12 million cars would be on the UK's roads during Friday.
Wales followed with 47%, and Scotland and the north-east of England with 46%.
According to the AA, London was least likely to suffer from an early Christmas traffic surge on Friday, as only a third of its members there said they would drive 20 miles or more.
All lanes have been reopened on the M25 anti-clockwise after an earlier accident at junction 12 for the M3, which caused traffic back to junction 13 at Staines.
Motorists are being warned to take care after a vehicle fire, on the M1 northbound at junction six temporarily closed part of the carriageway.
John Snowling, from the AA, said: "It's likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic.John Snowling, from the AA, said: "It's likely to be very busy at peak times on the major routes as the Christmas getaway coincides with commuter traffic.
"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." "Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it's quieter."
RailRail
With 200 engineering projects taking place over the Christmas period, up to 10% of the railways are due to be affected.With 200 engineering projects taking place over the Christmas period, up to 10% of the railways are due to be affected.
Most stations will be running as normal on Friday, but Network Rail has advised passengers to check before they travel. Paddington station in London will be shut from Christmas Eve until 29 December to complete building work on the Crossrail line.
Paddington station in London will be shut from Christmas Eve until December 29 to complete building work on the Crossrail line. There will be no Heathrow Express services to or from the airport from 24 to 29 December.
There will be no Heathrow Express services to or from the airport between 24 - 29 December.
Services are also being scaled back at stations including London Bridge, Charing Cross and Liverpool Street in London.Services are also being scaled back at stations including London Bridge, Charing Cross and Liverpool Street in London.
There will be no Greater Anglia services between Ingatestone/Billericay and London Liverpool Street from 24 December to 2 January.There will be no Greater Anglia services between Ingatestone/Billericay and London Liverpool Street from 24 December to 2 January.
There will be no trains late on Christmas Eve between Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Newport and the Valleys, for a major re-signalling job.There will be no trains late on Christmas Eve between Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Newport and the Valleys, for a major re-signalling job.
The shortage of trains means the roads are expected to be busier in coming days, but 450 miles of roadworks are either being finished or removed over the holidays to ease congestion.The shortage of trains means the roads are expected to be busier in coming days, but 450 miles of roadworks are either being finished or removed over the holidays to ease congestion.
Meanwhile, soldiers are on standby to drive rail replacement buses in the worst hit areas of the South East, the BBC has learned.Meanwhile, soldiers are on standby to drive rail replacement buses in the worst hit areas of the South East, the BBC has learned.
'No choice''No choice'
Analysis: BBC transport correspondent Richard WestcottAnalysis: BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott
They're damned if they do and they're damned if they don't.They're damned if they do and they're damned if they don't.
Britain's Victorian railway network needs upgrading, but it's very hard to work on something that's in almost constant use, bar a few hours in the middle of the night.Britain's Victorian railway network needs upgrading, but it's very hard to work on something that's in almost constant use, bar a few hours in the middle of the night.
So Network Rail says it has no choice but to get the really disruptive jobs done during the holidays, when the trains are half as busy as normal.So Network Rail says it has no choice but to get the really disruptive jobs done during the holidays, when the trains are half as busy as normal.
The real problems start when engineering works over-run. Like two years ago, when a catalogue of errors meant two big stations didn't re-open on time, leaving tens of thousands of passengers furious and stranded on the edge of London.The real problems start when engineering works over-run. Like two years ago, when a catalogue of errors meant two big stations didn't re-open on time, leaving tens of thousands of passengers furious and stranded on the edge of London.
Network Rail says it's learnt from that mistake and has a comprehensive back-up plan.Network Rail says it's learnt from that mistake and has a comprehensive back-up plan.
AirportsAirports
Friday is also expected to be the busiest day of the Christmas getaway for airports, according to travel firms' association Abta. Friday was due to be the busiest day of the Christmas getaway for airports, according to travel firms' association Abta.
More than 118,000 passengers will be departing from Heathrow, the airport said.More than 118,000 passengers will be departing from Heathrow, the airport said.
Meanwhile, planned strikes by British Airways cabin crew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day have been suspended.Meanwhile, planned strikes by British Airways cabin crew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day have been suspended.
Staff had been due to walk out in a row over pay and conditions.
Talks at conciliation service Acas led to a revised offer, which will be put to a ballot of union members.
Some UK flights have been affected by the hijacking of a Libyan passenger plane, which made a forced landing in Malta.Some UK flights have been affected by the hijacking of a Libyan passenger plane, which made a forced landing in Malta.
Planes flying to Malta were being diverted to the Italian island of Sicily whilst the airport was closed. The British High Commission for Malta said services had been resumed.Planes flying to Malta were being diverted to the Italian island of Sicily whilst the airport was closed. The British High Commission for Malta said services had been resumed.
Are you travelling to your Christmas destination today? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you travelling to your Christmas destination today? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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