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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 1 hour 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 busiest time is expected to be between 11:00 and 13:00 GMT - with the M1 in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire likely hotspots. | The busiest time is expected to be between 11:00 and 13:00 GMT - with the M1 in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire likely hotspots. |
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. |
Network Rail said vital upgrades would be carried out over the festive period. | Network Rail said vital upgrades would be carried out over the festive period. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
The M25, M5, M6 and M40 are also likely to see significant delays. | The M25, M5, M6 and M40 are also likely to see significant delays. |
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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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 Megabus 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. |