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Christmas traffic: 'So far, so good' for Christmas Eve getaway | Christmas traffic: 'So far, so good' for Christmas Eve getaway |
(35 minutes later) | |
Drivers setting out on Christmas Eve are being warned they could face severe delays, but it's a case of "so far, so good" according to the RAC. | Drivers setting out on Christmas Eve are being warned they could face severe delays, but it's a case of "so far, so good" according to the RAC. |
Spokesman Pete Williams said the busiest time for traffic had passed, but the roads in and around London, the M4 and the M6 were particularly busy. | |
He said traffic levels had been "pretty steady" over the past few days. | |
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. |
According to the AA's live traffic reports, vehicle accidents and a burst water main caused problems for people trying to leave central London by car. | |
Mr Williams said there had earlier been congestion in the north, around Leeds and Bradford, because of cold weather. | |
He advised travellers to check their oil, coolant level, tyre pressure and tread depth, and to buy some good screen wash before setting off. | |
The RAC and Inrix, which provides traffic information, had predicted the stretch of the M1 northbound between junction 21 (Coventry/Leicester) and junction 26 (Nottingham/Ripley) would be the worst for delays. | |
Fewer commuters than usual were expected to travel on Christmas Eve - many having booked the day off work. | Fewer commuters than usual were expected to travel on Christmas Eve - many having booked the day off work. |
But far more leisure journeys than usual were expected - as many as 2.5 million - with the AA predicting half of all motorists would take to the UK's main roads. | But far more leisure journeys than usual were expected - as many as 2.5 million - with the AA predicting half of all motorists would take to the UK's main roads. |
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. |
On the trains, there are 330 sets of rail engineering works scheduled to take place until 1 January. | On the trains, there are 330 sets of rail engineering works scheduled to take place until 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. | 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. | The Association of British Travel Agents said more than 4.7 million people will be going abroad between 18 December and 2 January. |