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| Christmas getaway: Tips to avoid disruption | Christmas getaway: Tips to avoid disruption |
| (1 day later) | |
| Nearly 14 million drivers are expected to hit the road during the last weekend before Christmas, marking a new record, according to the RAC motoring group. | Nearly 14 million drivers are expected to hit the road during the last weekend before Christmas, marking a new record, according to the RAC motoring group. |
| Disruption to some rail services is also expected due to engineering works, adding to congestion on the roads, while windy weather has led to the cancellation of some ferry services and flights. | |
| So how can you make your journey - whether travelling by road, rail, air or ferry - as smooth as possible? | |
| Stagger travel times on roads | Stagger travel times on roads |
| The RAC says, external that overall, the impact of the Christmas getaway will mean many roads "feel busier" than on an average weekend. | The RAC says, external that overall, the impact of the Christmas getaway will mean many roads "feel busier" than on an average weekend. |
| The five hours between 13:00 and 18:00 on Saturday were expected to have been the busiest time on the roads - but plenty more journeys will be made given Christmas falls on a weekday. | |
| The AA advises people to be prepared with plenty of fuel, have their phones charged and tyres and lights checked. | The AA advises people to be prepared with plenty of fuel, have their phones charged and tyres and lights checked. |
| It also suggests carrying food and warm clothes in case you get stuck in a traffic jam. | |
| "Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it's quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams," the AA's Chris Wood says. | "Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it's quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams," the AA's Chris Wood says. |
| Travel expert Julian Bray says if travelling by road, "go earlier and come back later" as rail engineering works taking place over the festive period will also add to traffic. | Travel expert Julian Bray says if travelling by road, "go earlier and come back later" as rail engineering works taking place over the festive period will also add to traffic. |
| Check for rail engineering works | Check for rail engineering works |
| Network Rail advises passengers, external to check their journey before travelling. | Network Rail advises passengers, external to check their journey before travelling. |
| Some services such as West Midlands Railway, external are running an amended service because of engineering works and last-minute train cancellations are possible. | Some services such as West Midlands Railway, external are running an amended service because of engineering works and last-minute train cancellations are possible. |
| As London Paddington is closed between 27 and 29 December for HS2 construction works, rail travel to and from Heathrow Airport will be disrupted, as well as journeys to south Wales and south-west England. | As London Paddington is closed between 27 and 29 December for HS2 construction works, rail travel to and from Heathrow Airport will be disrupted, as well as journeys to south Wales and south-west England. |
| The RMT union has also announced strike action affecting Avanti West Coast on 31 December and 2 January, and the train firm will run amended timetables. | The RMT union has also announced strike action affecting Avanti West Coast on 31 December and 2 January, and the train firm will run amended timetables. |
| Eurostar says that it expects Boxing Day and 29 December to be its busiest days and to leave plenty of travel time. | Eurostar says that it expects Boxing Day and 29 December to be its busiest days and to leave plenty of travel time. |
| Rory Boland, from Which? Travel, says: "If your rail journey is delayed, you'll be entitled to compensation, though how this is awarded can vary between rail companies." | Rory Boland, from Which? Travel, says: "If your rail journey is delayed, you'll be entitled to compensation, though how this is awarded can vary between rail companies." |
| Under the Delay Repay scheme, external, for example, it varies according to the length of the delay. | Under the Delay Repay scheme, external, for example, it varies according to the length of the delay. |
| And she points out that if your train is cancelled you may be entitled to a full refund. | And she points out that if your train is cancelled you may be entitled to a full refund. |
| Confirm your return flights | Confirm your return flights |
| Data analysts Cirium looked at all departures scheduled between 20 December and 2 January and says that overall, this year will see 5% more departures compared with 2023. | Data analysts Cirium looked at all departures scheduled between 20 December and 2 January and says that overall, this year will see 5% more departures compared with 2023. |
| The busiest day for Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol airports is expected to be 22 December. | The busiest day for Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol airports is expected to be 22 December. |
| Strong winds have caused disruption to some flights. Heathrow said around 100 flights had been cancelled on Sunday. | |
| A spokesperson for British Airways said that adverse weather and restrictions on the number of flights able to take off and land had led to some of its services being cancelled cancellations. | |
| Mr Bray says customers should stay in touch with their airline and expect alterations. | Mr Bray says customers should stay in touch with their airline and expect alterations. |
| Leaving plenty of time for travelling to your departure airport is sensible, as well as checking baggage rules as some airlines have changed their policies recently. | Leaving plenty of time for travelling to your departure airport is sensible, as well as checking baggage rules as some airlines have changed their policies recently. |
| He also says that customers should always reconfirm their return journey before setting off. | He also says that customers should always reconfirm their return journey before setting off. |
| Which? advises that passengers will also be entitled to assistance from the airline, with things like food and drink, if their flight is delayed by more than two hours. | Which? advises that passengers will also be entitled to assistance from the airline, with things like food and drink, if their flight is delayed by more than two hours. |
| "For short-haul flights, the threshold for compensation kicks in after a three-hour delay - but is only payable if the delay is deemed within the airline's control, meaning you won't be entitled to it if your plane is held up by a snowstorm or security incident," Mr Boland says. | |
| For cancellations, you should also get the choice of a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. | For cancellations, you should also get the choice of a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. |
| Arrive only for your allotted ferry sailing | Arrive only for your allotted ferry sailing |
| The Port of Dover is one of Europe's busiest ports and it says that if you have booked with a third-party provider, you should check your details before travelling. | The Port of Dover is one of Europe's busiest ports and it says that if you have booked with a third-party provider, you should check your details before travelling. |
| Ferry company DFDS said it had cancelled seven services between Dover and Calais due to strong winds. Ferries which operate around Scotland and to Northern Ireland, have also been cancelled this weekend. | |
| People are advised to allow plenty of time for your journey, and arrive only for your allotted sailing. | |
| The Port of Dover also suggests having passports open and ready before Border Control, in addition to carrying snacks or entertainment to pass the time. | |
| One of Britain's busiest ports in Holyhead in north Wales will remain closed until 15 January at the earliest after it sustained damage during Storm Darragh. | One of Britain's busiest ports in Holyhead in north Wales will remain closed until 15 January at the earliest after it sustained damage during Storm Darragh. |
| Mr Boland says: "If your ferry is delayed, you won't be entitled to compensation if weather conditions mean the ship can't safely operate, or there are other extraordinary circumstances." | Mr Boland says: "If your ferry is delayed, you won't be entitled to compensation if weather conditions mean the ship can't safely operate, or there are other extraordinary circumstances." |
| Otherwise, compensation is usually paid on a sliding scale depending on the length of your journey and the amount of time you're held up. | Otherwise, compensation is usually paid on a sliding scale depending on the length of your journey and the amount of time you're held up. |
| She adds that if the ferry is cancelled or delayed by more than 90 minutes, you should be offered the choice between an alternative sailing, or a refund. | She adds that if the ferry is cancelled or delayed by more than 90 minutes, you should be offered the choice between an alternative sailing, or a refund. |
| You may also be entitled to overnight accommodation if required, she adds. | You may also be entitled to overnight accommodation if required, she adds. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Are you flying from Heathrow on Friday? Or are you driving over the weekend? Please share your experiences. | Are you flying from Heathrow on Friday? Or are you driving over the weekend? Please share your experiences. |