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'Frantic Friday' sees millions hit UK's roads for Christmas getaway 'Frantic Friday' sees millions hit UK's roads for Christmas getaway
(about 2 hours later)
More drivers will take to the road on Friday than any other day over the Christmas season, according to an AA poll.More drivers will take to the road on Friday than any other day over the Christmas season, according to an AA poll.
The combination of the last rush hour before Christmas, last-minute shoppers and online shopping deliveries, as well as millions of people driving for festive visits to family and friends, is expected to clog roads and slow journeys later in the day.The combination of the last rush hour before Christmas, last-minute shoppers and online shopping deliveries, as well as millions of people driving for festive visits to family and friends, is expected to clog roads and slow journeys later in the day.
A recent AA-Populus poll of 18,547 AA members found that 40% expected to drive more than 20 miles on Friday. If those intentions are shared by the wider driving population, that could mean about 13 million drivers taking long trips.A recent AA-Populus poll of 18,547 AA members found that 40% expected to drive more than 20 miles on Friday. If those intentions are shared by the wider driving population, that could mean about 13 million drivers taking long trips.
The transportation analysts Inrix warned of jams from Friday afternoon onwards, and the RAC advised motorists to avoid making their festive getaway on what it has labelled “Frantic Friday”.The transportation analysts Inrix warned of jams from Friday afternoon onwards, and the RAC advised motorists to avoid making their festive getaway on what it has labelled “Frantic Friday”.
Results from the AA’s online poll suggest Northern Ireland will have the busiest roads, with 48% of AA members there saying they will do significant festive mileage. Wales follows with 47% and the north-east is close behind, with 46% of AA members there driving 20 miles or more. In London just over a third (34%) will cover that distance by car.Results from the AA’s online poll suggest Northern Ireland will have the busiest roads, with 48% of AA members there saying they will do significant festive mileage. Wales follows with 47% and the north-east is close behind, with 46% of AA members there driving 20 miles or more. In London just over a third (34%) will cover that distance by car.
By early on Friday afternoon traffic volume was beginning to increase around Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Colchester, Maidstone and Rochester, according to the RAC. Simon Williams, traffic spokesman at the drivers’ organisation, said it was expecting about 15% more breakdowns than usual.By early on Friday afternoon traffic volume was beginning to increase around Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Colchester, Maidstone and Rochester, according to the RAC. Simon Williams, traffic spokesman at the drivers’ organisation, said it was expecting about 15% more breakdowns than usual.
Inrix has predicted delays on the roads throughout the Christmas holiday, warning of significant delays on Wednesday 27 December as shoppers turn out for the post-Christmas sales and people return from visiting family. Some stretches of motorway could see delays of up to three hours, with particularly high volumes expected around the M25, according to its forecasts.Inrix has predicted delays on the roads throughout the Christmas holiday, warning of significant delays on Wednesday 27 December as shoppers turn out for the post-Christmas sales and people return from visiting family. Some stretches of motorway could see delays of up to three hours, with particularly high volumes expected around the M25, according to its forecasts.
Vince Crane, the AA’s patrol of the year, said: “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.”Vince Crane, the AA’s patrol of the year, said: “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. “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.
“Anything can happen, so don’t forget to do the basic checks on your car before heading off to avoid a breakdown interrupting your Christmas plans. This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.” “Anything can happen, so don’t forget to do the basic checks on your car before heading off to avoid a breakdown interrupting your Christmas plans. This includes topping up the windscreen wash and antifreeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.”
Airports, ports and international train stations are exceptionally busy, with more than 4.5 million people heading abroad over Christmas and the new year.Airports, ports and international train stations are exceptionally busy, with more than 4.5 million people heading abroad over Christmas and the new year.
On Friday morning all flights at Bristol airport were halted after an aircraft came off the runway. Twenty-five people were on board the Embraer 145 jet when the incident occurred at 11.36am while it was taxiing after landing from Frankfurt, Germany. An airport spokeswoman said there were no injuries and the plane was towed to an aircraft stand.On Friday morning all flights at Bristol airport were halted after an aircraft came off the runway. Twenty-five people were on board the Embraer 145 jet when the incident occurred at 11.36am while it was taxiing after landing from Frankfurt, Germany. An airport spokeswoman said there were no injuries and the plane was towed to an aircraft stand.
Passengers on other flights scheduled to land or take off at Bristol faced severe disruption as the runway was closed. More than 190,000 people are due to travel through the airport between Friday and 1 January, up 5% on the same two-week period 12 months ago. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch dispatched a team of inspectors to investigate the incident, which caused the closure of the runway on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
At least 60 flights were cancelled or diverted while specialist equipment was brought in to remove the plane.
Even when the runway reopens it will be some time before schedules return to normal as many aircraft are out of position.
Affected passengers could struggle to make it to their loved ones for Christmas Day as there are few spare seats on many flights over the festive period.
An airport spokesman said: “While it is too early to speculate about the cause of the incident, we are confident that it was not related to the low visibility conditions experienced.
“Additional staff are on hand in the terminal to assist passengers.
“We’re sorry for the disruption and flight cancellations experienced and fully appreciate it is frustrating.”
More than 190,000 people are due to travel through Bristol airport between Friday and 1 January, up 5% on the same two-week period 12 months ago.
The UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, will see almost 130,000 departing passengers on Friday.The UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, will see almost 130,000 departing passengers on Friday.
On the rail network, many mainline routes will be partially shut as Network Rail carries out its biggest Christmas engineering programme.On the rail network, many mainline routes will be partially shut as Network Rail carries out its biggest Christmas engineering programme.
Great Western Railway is urging passengers to complete journeys by Saturday “at the latest” as London Paddington will be closed between Christmas Eve and 27 December.Great Western Railway is urging passengers to complete journeys by Saturday “at the latest” as London Paddington will be closed between Christmas Eve and 27 December.
The west coast main line will be halted between Preston and Lancaster from Christmas Eve to 27 December, with buses replacing trains. Passengers travelling between London and Glasgow are advised to go via Edinburgh, adding around an hour to journeys. The west coast main line will be halted between Preston and Lancaster from Christmas Eve to 27 December, with buses replacing trains. Passengers travelling between London and Glasgow are advised to go via Edinburgh, adding about an hour to journeys.
The coach operator National Express is running its largest ever Christmas schedule to meet increased demand from key locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. The coach operator National Express is running its largest-ever Christmas schedule to meet increased demand from key locations such as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester.