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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46649640
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Travel warning as millions begin Christmas getaway | Travel warning as millions begin Christmas getaway |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Nearly three million road journeys are expected to be made on Friday as people begin their Christmas getaway, motoring organisations have warned. | Nearly three million road journeys are expected to be made on Friday as people begin their Christmas getaway, motoring organisations have warned. |
"Significant" congestion is expected on major roads, with delays likely on the M25, M6 and M40, the RAC said. | |
The RAC's Matt Dallaway said travelling after 18:00 would miss the busiest time on major roads and motorways. | |
Meanwhile, a major gas leak has closed the M49 near Bristol - which links the M5 with the M4. | |
National Grid have put an exclusion zone in place around the motorway as a precaution. | |
"Plan your journey, everyone is a hurry to see their loved ones and friends and family, but please think about when you're going to travel," Mr Dallaway told the BBC. | |
"Go later or early in the morning." | |
The RAC says the number of leisure journeys will peak on Boxing Day, with 6.8 million trips. | |
Mr Dallaway said: "We're at this time of year when everyone is frantically trying to get their Christmas presents done, e-commerce is through the roof so there'll be delivery drivers all over working through to Christmas Eve. | Mr Dallaway said: "We're at this time of year when everyone is frantically trying to get their Christmas presents done, e-commerce is through the roof so there'll be delivery drivers all over working through to Christmas Eve. |
"It's obviously a lot milder this year… so that will take a lot of people to the roads." | "It's obviously a lot milder this year… so that will take a lot of people to the roads." |
Meanwhile, a further drone sighting again disrupted flights at Gatwick airport on Friday evening. The latest sighting at Gatwick came at about 17:10 GMT, but flights resumed less than 90 minutes later. |