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Christmas traffic: Delays warning as half of all drivers on roads Christmas traffic: Delays warning as half of all drivers on roads
(about 9 hours later)
Drivers are being warned of severe delays on Christmas Eve as half of all motorists are expected to take to the UK's main roads, the AA says.Drivers are being warned of severe delays on Christmas Eve as half of all motorists are expected to take to the UK's main roads, the AA says.
The RAC added it expects 2.5 million leisure journeys to be made on Monday. The busiest time is expected to be between 11:00 and 13:00 GMT - with the M1 in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire likely hotspots.
Roads will be busiest between 11:00 and 13:00 GMT, the RAC said - with the M1 in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire predicted to be worst for long delays.
Meanwhile, many rail passengers across the country are facing disruption because of planned engineering work.Meanwhile, many rail passengers across the country are facing disruption because of planned engineering work.
The AA said despite fewer commuters travelling on Christmas Eve after booking the day off work, the difference will be partly offset by an increase in leisure journeys. Network Rail said vital upgrades would be carried out over the festive period.
According to the RAC and Inrix, which provides traffic information, 2.5 million leisure trips are expected on Monday. It added: Despite fewer commuters travelling on Christmas Eve after booking the day off work, there will be far more leisure journeys - as many as 2.5 million in total - taken on Monday.
The RAC says the number of pure leisure journeys over the festive season is likely to peak on Boxing Day with an estimated 6.8 million individual trips. According to the RAC and Inrix, which provides traffic information, the stretch of the M1 northbound between junction 21 (Coventry/Leicester) and junction 26 (Nottingham/Ripley) is expected to be the worst for delays.
On the trains The M25, M5, M6 and M40 are also likely to see significant delays.
There are 330 sets of rail engineering works scheduled to take place until 1 January with some already begun. The RAC says the number of leisure journeys over the festive season is likely to peak on Boxing Day with an estimated 6.8 million individual trips.
Pete Williams, the organisation's breakdown spokesperson, told the BBC News Channel roads were "hotting up" by 09:00 GMT on Monday.
"Places like London, the M25 are incredibly busy," he said.
"Up in the north, in Leeds and Bradford, the temperature has actually plummeted and we're seeing high volumes of traffic and quite a few people running into trouble."
Mr Williams advised travellers to check their oil, coolant level, tyre pressure and tread depth, and to buy some good screen wash before setting off.
On the trains, there are 330 sets of rail engineering works scheduled to take place between now and 1 January.
Network Rail said it would do most of the works when no trains are scheduled to run.Network Rail said it would do most of the works when no trains are scheduled to run.
No trains run on Christmas Day and there are only a limited number of services on Boxing Day - but nationwide bus companies National Express and Mega Bus will operate.No trains run on Christmas Day and there are only a limited number of services on Boxing Day - but nationwide bus companies National Express and Mega Bus will operate.
The rail disruption includes:The rail disruption includes:
Engineering works have been scheduled for the festive period because the railway is up to 50% quieter than usual then, said Andy Thomas, Network Rail's managing director of strategic operations.Engineering works have been scheduled for the festive period because the railway is up to 50% quieter than usual then, said Andy Thomas, Network Rail's managing director of strategic operations.
"While most of the network is open for business as usual, some routes are heavily affected and so we strongly advise passengers to plan ahead.""While most of the network is open for business as usual, some routes are heavily affected and so we strongly advise passengers to plan ahead."
Meanwhile, flights to and from Gatwick Airport are operating as normal after three days of disruption following reports of sightings of a drone near the runway. Meanwhile, flights to and from Gatwick airport are operating as normal after three days of disruption following reports of sightings of a drone near the runway.
At Birmingham Airport, flights were temporarily stopped on Sunday evening after a technical fault at air traffic control but resumed later on. At Birmingham airport, flights were temporarily stopped on Sunday evening after a technical fault at air traffic control but resumed later on.
The Association of British Travel Agents, said more than 4.7 million people will be going abroad between 18 December and 2 January.The Association of British Travel Agents, said more than 4.7 million people will be going abroad between 18 December and 2 January.