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Christmas getaway: Travellers warned over 'frantic Friday' | Christmas getaway: Travellers warned over 'frantic Friday' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
People travelling around the UK in time for Christmas are being warned to expect delays in parts of the country. | People travelling around the UK in time for Christmas are being warned to expect delays in parts of the country. |
The RAC says the Christmas getaway will combine with the usual commuter traffic as well as rail disruption to create a "Frantic Friday" on Britain's roads. | The RAC says the Christmas getaway will combine with the usual commuter traffic as well as rail disruption to create a "Frantic Friday" on Britain's roads. |
One rail company has warned of some cancellations to services on Friday. | One rail company has warned of some cancellations to services on Friday. |
Highways England says almost 400 miles of road works have been suspended over the festive period, but drivers should still expect "busy road conditions". | Highways England says almost 400 miles of road works have been suspended over the festive period, but drivers should still expect "busy road conditions". |
It is urging motorists to check their vehicles before setting off. | It is urging motorists to check their vehicles before setting off. |
A spokesman for Highways England, Stuart Thompson, said "Some families have already reached their Christmas destinations, but we are expecting higher volumes of traffic on Friday. | A spokesman for Highways England, Stuart Thompson, said "Some families have already reached their Christmas destinations, but we are expecting higher volumes of traffic on Friday. |
"We're urging people to make sure their cars are ready for the journey - check the oil, water and tyres. Most importantly, make sure you have enough fuel." | "We're urging people to make sure their cars are ready for the journey - check the oil, water and tyres. Most importantly, make sure you have enough fuel." |
The RAC says it expects traffic to peak between 4pm and 8pm on Friday. | The RAC says it expects traffic to peak between 4pm and 8pm on Friday. |
Virgin Trains says strikes which had been due to affect the West Coast mainline have now been called off. The company said it would try to operate a full service on Friday, but there would be some cancellations. | Virgin Trains says strikes which had been due to affect the West Coast mainline have now been called off. The company said it would try to operate a full service on Friday, but there would be some cancellations. |
Around 260 engineering projects, including track maintenance, will cause problems elsewhere. | Around 260 engineering projects, including track maintenance, will cause problems elsewhere. |
In England, the "roadworks embargo" will be in place on motorways and major A roads from 06:00 GMT on Friday until 00:01 on 2 January. | In England, the "roadworks embargo" will be in place on motorways and major A roads from 06:00 GMT on Friday until 00:01 on 2 January. |
The Welsh Government says no road works will take place in Wales over Christmas and the New Year other than essential or emergency work. | The Welsh Government says no road works will take place in Wales over Christmas and the New Year other than essential or emergency work. |
Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said that while mostly mild weather was expected in the coming days, there were large stockpiles of grit to cope with any icy conditions. | Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said that while mostly mild weather was expected in the coming days, there were large stockpiles of grit to cope with any icy conditions. |
Coach operator National Express says it is increasing the number of services from locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. | Coach operator National Express says it is increasing the number of services from locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. |
How journeys have changed | |
Back in the 1950s, less than 30% of journeys made in Britain were by car but by 1970 this had risen to three-quarters of all distances travelled being by private vehicle. | |
Despite the roads being busier, car journeys have become safer - helped by the introduction of seatbelts in the 1980s. | |
In 1966, more than 7,900 people died on the roads in England, Scotland and Wales but that figure is now under 2,000. | |
So the shift in our love (and affordability!) of cars is clear but we're also spending more than we used to on public transport. | |
What we spend on motoring has increased by 9% over the last 10 years but the cash we part with on public transport has risen by 74%. | |
Read more things you might not know about Britain's roads here | |
On Thursday, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took the train from London to King's Lynn station in Norfolk, for their Christmas break at Sandringham. | On Thursday, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took the train from London to King's Lynn station in Norfolk, for their Christmas break at Sandringham. |
Philip was carrying some holiday reading - a copy of Michelangelo: The Complete Paintings, Sculptures and Architecture by Frank Zollner - which was published earlier this year. | Philip was carrying some holiday reading - a copy of Michelangelo: The Complete Paintings, Sculptures and Architecture by Frank Zollner - which was published earlier this year. |
Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) says 4.5m people are expected to travel abroad in the coming days. | Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) says 4.5m people are expected to travel abroad in the coming days. |
It says airports, ports and international train stations will be exceptionally busy and that people should begin their journeys earlier than usual. | It says airports, ports and international train stations will be exceptionally busy and that people should begin their journeys earlier than usual. |