This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42445966
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Christmas getaway: 'Frantic Friday' delays for travellers on road and rail | Christmas getaway: 'Frantic Friday' delays for travellers on road and rail |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Travellers have been hit by delays on the road and the rail network as many people begin their Christmas getaway. | Travellers have been hit by delays on the road and the rail network as many people begin their Christmas getaway. |
| An estimated 1.3 million Christmas travellers are adding to the usual traffic, with the RAC urging people to avoid long trips on "frantic Friday". | |
| Highways England said there had been 46 traffic incidents by 13:00 GMT. The busiest motorways are expected to be the M25, M6, M1 and M4. | |
| South Western Railway, Southern Rail and ScotRail have reported disruption. | |
| Highways England has called on motorists to check their oil. water and tyres before setting off to make sure their cars are ready for the journey, and "most importantly", make sure they have enough fuel. | |
| Traffic is expected to peak between 16:00 and 20:00 GMT, according to the RAC. | Traffic is expected to peak between 16:00 and 20:00 GMT, according to the RAC. |
| Graham Cookson, from traffic data company Inrix, said it would be one of the busiest days of the year, with "incredibly severe" traffic jams. | Graham Cookson, from traffic data company Inrix, said it would be one of the busiest days of the year, with "incredibly severe" traffic jams. |
| He said the M25 was "at the top of the list" for congestion, while the M6 between Merseyside and Staffordshire, the M1 and the M4 were also expected to be "incredibly busy". | He said the M25 was "at the top of the list" for congestion, while the M6 between Merseyside and Staffordshire, the M1 and the M4 were also expected to be "incredibly busy". |
| Earlier, the M40 southbound was closed between Junction 10 (Brackley) and junction nine (Bicester), after a lorry caught fire. | Earlier, the M40 southbound was closed between Junction 10 (Brackley) and junction nine (Bicester), after a lorry caught fire. |
| Witnesses said the vehicle was carrying bottles of beer which exploded due to the heat. | Witnesses said the vehicle was carrying bottles of beer which exploded due to the heat. |
| Flights in and out of Bristol Airport have been suspended after a plane carrying 25 people came off the runway. | |
| About 40 flights have been cancelled or diverted to other airports while the incident is investigated. | |
| On the railways, South Western Railway said "sickness among train crew" meant some services would be cancelled or revised. | On the railways, South Western Railway said "sickness among train crew" meant some services would be cancelled or revised. |
| ScotRail suffered delays and cancellations on the route between Stranraer/Ardrossan Harbour and Kilmarnock/Glasgow Central after a train derailment in a depot. | ScotRail suffered delays and cancellations on the route between Stranraer/Ardrossan Harbour and Kilmarnock/Glasgow Central after a train derailment in a depot. |
| Merseyrail has a reduced service across its network as workers are striking for 24 hours. | Merseyrail has a reduced service across its network as workers are striking for 24 hours. |
| But Virgin trains said it was planning to run a full timetable on the West Coast mainline after a planned strike was called off. | But Virgin trains said it was planning to run a full timetable on the West Coast mainline after a planned strike was called off. |
| In England, a "roadworks embargo" is in place on motorways and major A roads until 00:01 on 2 January, meaning many lanes are open and temporary speed restrictions lifted as works are paused. | In England, a "roadworks embargo" is in place on motorways and major A roads until 00:01 on 2 January, meaning many lanes are open and temporary speed restrictions lifted as works are paused. |
| However, 27 sets of roadworks, covering a total of 122 miles, are staying in place because it would be too dangerous to lift them. | However, 27 sets of roadworks, covering a total of 122 miles, are staying in place because it would be too dangerous to lift them. |
| In Wales. no roadworks are taking place over Christmas and the New Year, other than essential or emergency work. | In Wales. no roadworks are taking place over Christmas and the New Year, other than essential or emergency work. |
| Coach operator National Express said it was running its biggest Christmas schedule yet, increasing the number of services from locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. | Coach operator National Express said it was running its biggest Christmas schedule yet, increasing the number of services from locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. |
| Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents said 4.5m people were expected to travel abroad in the coming days. | Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents said 4.5m people were expected to travel abroad in the coming days. |
| It said airports, ports and international train stations would be exceptionally busy and that people should begin their journeys earlier than usual. | It said airports, ports and international train stations would be exceptionally busy and that people should begin their journeys earlier than usual. |
| About 260 rail engineering projects, including track maintenance, will cause problems elsewhere later on in the Christmas period. | About 260 rail engineering projects, including track maintenance, will cause problems elsewhere later on in the Christmas period. |