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| Millions start Christmas getaway | Millions start Christmas getaway |
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| The great Christmas getaway has started with millions hitting roads and airports ahead of the holiday period. | The great Christmas getaway has started with millions hitting roads and airports ahead of the holiday period. |
| But thousands of air passengers are facing problems after fog forced Heathrow to cancel 350 flights. Some regional airports are also affected. | But thousands of air passengers are facing problems after fog forced Heathrow to cancel 350 flights. Some regional airports are also affected. |
| Heavy traffic is expected on the roads from Thursday, on what will be one of the busiest days on the roads. | Heavy traffic is expected on the roads from Thursday, on what will be one of the busiest days on the roads. |
| Weather forecasters, predicting more fog and frost, have urged motorists to take extra care. | Weather forecasters, predicting more fog and frost, have urged motorists to take extra care. |
| Road information company Trafficmaster predicts more than 18 million vehicles will be on the road this weekend. | Road information company Trafficmaster predicts more than 18 million vehicles will be on the road this weekend. |
| AA FOG ADVICE Use fog lights when appropriateDo not keep switching fog lights on and off - this can be a distractionOnly drive as fast as conditions allowMaintain a greater distance between you and the car in front href="/1/hi/uk/6198917.stm" class="">Fog causes more UK flight delays | |
| Thursday is expected to be the worst day for traffic, with congestion likely to build from as early as 1400GMT until 1900GMT. | Thursday is expected to be the worst day for traffic, with congestion likely to build from as early as 1400GMT until 1900GMT. |
| HGVs making last-minute deliveries, commuters leaving work early for holidays and last-minute Christmas shoppers are expected to add to the rush-hour congestion. | HGVs making last-minute deliveries, commuters leaving work early for holidays and last-minute Christmas shoppers are expected to add to the rush-hour congestion. |
| Friday is also expected to be a busy day for travellers. | Friday is also expected to be a busy day for travellers. |
| The Highways Agency said 26 sets of roadworks in England are to be suspended over the Christmas and New Year period. | The Highways Agency said 26 sets of roadworks in England are to be suspended over the Christmas and New Year period. |
| The roadworks will be removed from 0600GMT on Friday, until 0100GMT on 2 January. | The roadworks will be removed from 0600GMT on Friday, until 0100GMT on 2 January. |
| However, a total of 35 roadworks will remain in place for safety reasons. | However, a total of 35 roadworks will remain in place for safety reasons. |
| They include the M1 at junction 6a to 10; the A38 at Streethay, West Midlands; the M6 junction 9-8 southbound; the A66 at Surtees Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees; the M62 at junction 21 and junction 25 on the M25. | They include the M1 at junction 6a to 10; the A38 at Streethay, West Midlands; the M6 junction 9-8 southbound; the A66 at Surtees Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees; the M62 at junction 21 and junction 25 on the M25. |
| The weather conditions have led British Airways (BA) to cancel all domestic flights from Heathrow and many European ones. | The weather conditions have led British Airways (BA) to cancel all domestic flights from Heathrow and many European ones. |
| FLIGHT ADVICE Check with your airlineDo not go to the airport if your flight is cancelledDo not bring family and friends to the airportTake only one item of hand luggageDo not take wrapped presents through airport securityPack and prepare your luggage before leaving homeLiquids must be contained in individual containers of no more than 100mlsLiquid bottles must be contained in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cmLiquids in containers of more than 100ml capacity can be packed in your checked-in baggageBritish Airways helpline 0800727800 | FLIGHT ADVICE Check with your airlineDo not go to the airport if your flight is cancelledDo not bring family and friends to the airportTake only one item of hand luggageDo not take wrapped presents through airport securityPack and prepare your luggage before leaving homeLiquids must be contained in individual containers of no more than 100mlsLiquid bottles must be contained in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cmLiquids in containers of more than 100ml capacity can be packed in your checked-in baggageBritish Airways helpline 0800727800 |
| All flights from Coventry and some from Cardiff have been cancelled, while some BA flights from Scottish airports have also been scrapped. | All flights from Coventry and some from Cardiff have been cancelled, while some BA flights from Scottish airports have also been scrapped. |
| Sleeping mats, blankets, catering facilities and hot drinks are being provided for stranded passengers at Heathrow, but there are fears that some people will not get a flight before Christmas. | Sleeping mats, blankets, catering facilities and hot drinks are being provided for stranded passengers at Heathrow, but there are fears that some people will not get a flight before Christmas. |
| The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said there is likely to be an increase in demand for train journeys as more flights are cancelled. | The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said there is likely to be an increase in demand for train journeys as more flights are cancelled. |
| Virgin Trains are expected to be running more trains over the next couple of days, including an extra seven services on Friday. | Virgin Trains are expected to be running more trains over the next couple of days, including an extra seven services on Friday. |
| An ATOC spokesman said they expected an increase in passengers travelling long distance routes - including London to Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle - and urged people to make reservations if possible. | An ATOC spokesman said they expected an increase in passengers travelling long distance routes - including London to Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle - and urged people to make reservations if possible. |
| "We would suggest people avoid the peak period between 1430GMT and 1930GMT if they don't have a reservation as it is going to be very busy today and Friday," he said. | "We would suggest people avoid the peak period between 1430GMT and 1930GMT if they don't have a reservation as it is going to be very busy today and Friday," he said. |
| Air passengers have been forced to sleep in airport terminals | Air passengers have been forced to sleep in airport terminals |
| A spokesman for Eurostar said it had seen a 15% increase in passengers between London and Paris and Brussels since Wednesday lunchtime. | A spokesman for Eurostar said it had seen a 15% increase in passengers between London and Paris and Brussels since Wednesday lunchtime. |
| He urged passengers to check the Eurostar website for availability and to order tickets online or by telephone before arriving at Waterloo. | He urged passengers to check the Eurostar website for availability and to order tickets online or by telephone before arriving at Waterloo. |
| Barry Gromett of the Met Office offered a glimmer of hope for stranded air passengers. | Barry Gromett of the Met Office offered a glimmer of hope for stranded air passengers. |
| "There is a cloud sheet edging its way westward across Kent and Essex and clearing the fog, which should help to alleviate some problems at airports today. | "There is a cloud sheet edging its way westward across Kent and Essex and clearing the fog, which should help to alleviate some problems at airports today. |
| "But we are not out of the wood yet and if that cloud cover breaks then the conditions are right for fog to reform." | "But we are not out of the wood yet and if that cloud cover breaks then the conditions are right for fog to reform." |
| Mr Gromett added that motorists could expect fog, frost and generally cold but dry conditions across England and Wales, with winds and warmer weather in Scotland. | Mr Gromett added that motorists could expect fog, frost and generally cold but dry conditions across England and Wales, with winds and warmer weather in Scotland. |
| Matt Taylor from the BBC Weather Centre said there was unlikely to be snow this year. | Matt Taylor from the BBC Weather Centre said there was unlikely to be snow this year. |
| "I think it is going to be a grey Christmas for many, instead of a white one." | "I think it is going to be a grey Christmas for many, instead of a white one." |