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Festive getaway starts smoothly Millions head off for Christmas
(about 7 hours later)
Britain's Christmas getaway has begun smoothly, with few delays reported in what was expected to be the busiest time of the festive period on roads. Britain's Christmas getaway began smoothly on the roads, with few delays reported in what was expected to be the busiest time of the festive period.
Some 18m cars are expected on the roads during Friday, with 16m likely on 27 and 28 December. Some 18m cars were expected on the roads during Friday, with 16m likely on 27 and 28 December.
Rail travellers are facing severe problems because the West Coast Mainline is closing for five days. But rail travellers faced severe problems because the West Coast Mainline is closing for five days.
UK airport workers have voted for industrial action, which will be taking place on 7, 14 and 17 January. And in the evening fog disrupted flights from Gatwick and Southampton airports, mostly to Europe.
A total of 16 departures were cancelled at Gatwick airport, with as many as 2,000 people affected.
All flights leaving Southampton after 1700 GMT were stopped, with arrival diverted to other airports.
Incoming flights also had to be diverted away from both Stansted and London City.
Meanwhile, UK airport workers have voted for industrial action, which will be taking place on 7, 14 and 17 January.
The dispute with BAA, which operates seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, is over the closure of final salary pensions to new employees.The dispute with BAA, which operates seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, is over the closure of final salary pensions to new employees.
A record 3.5m Britons will head abroad for Christmas.A record 3.5m Britons will head abroad for Christmas.
UK TRAVEL MAP BBC Travel NewsThe festive travel front lineUK TRAVEL MAP BBC Travel NewsThe festive travel front line
Christmas Day should be much quieter on UK roads, with only 4m cars being driven.Christmas Day should be much quieter on UK roads, with only 4m cars being driven.
The Highways Agency is suspending roadworks on several motorways and major A-roads in England over the holiday period, but roadworks remain on some key routes, including the M1 and M25.The Highways Agency is suspending roadworks on several motorways and major A-roads in England over the holiday period, but roadworks remain on some key routes, including the M1 and M25.
A spokesman said there had been delays on some roads.A spokesman said there had been delays on some roads.
Drivers on the M1, southbound between junctions four and two, have been experiencing 50-minute tailbacks. Drivers on the M1, southbound between junctions four and two, saw 50-minute tailbacks.
There have been 40-minute delays on the M40, northbound between junctions nine and 10. There were 40-minute delays on the M40, northbound between junctions nine and 10, and the A34 was closed northbound near the M4, causing 40-minute delays.
And the A34 is closed northbound near the M4, causing 40-minute delays.
Adam Cracknell of the RAC said the busiest part of the day was under way as late afternoon "is when people start to leave the office".
"By 1900GMT things are likely to start calming down, shops will start closing and commuters will be home," he added.
Mr Cracknell also said there would be a high volume of traffic on the roads on the 27 and 28 December because of the post-Christmas sales.
Rail disruptionRail disruption
Adam Cracknell from the RAC said there would be a high volume of traffic on the roads on the 27 and 28 December because of the post-Christmas sales.
"On those days people will be going back to work but they'll also be going sale shopping, so before noon there will be a lot of congestion on the nation's roads, but that shouldn't be as bad in the afternoon and evening."On those days people will be going back to work but they'll also be going sale shopping, so before noon there will be a lot of congestion on the nation's roads, but that shouldn't be as bad in the afternoon and evening.
"People tend to spend more time with the family on Boxing Day, but after that the bargain mist comes down.""People tend to spend more time with the family on Boxing Day, but after that the bargain mist comes down."
Kevin Groves, of Network Rail, said rail travellers on the West Coast Mainline will experience disruption because the company had "made a mistake" and under-estimated the amount of work being planned over the Christmas break. Kevin Groves, of Network Rail, said rail travellers on the West Coast Mainline would experience disruption because the company had "made a mistake" and under-estimated the amount of work being planned over the Christmas break.
As a result, engineering work beginning on 27 December will now last until New Year's Eve, a day later than originally planned.As a result, engineering work beginning on 27 December will now last until New Year's Eve, a day later than originally planned.
The work will mean the closure of the West Coast Mainline, which affects any services that would have passed through Rugby, disrupting travel between London and Scotland, Manchester and Birmingham.The work will mean the closure of the West Coast Mainline, which affects any services that would have passed through Rugby, disrupting travel between London and Scotland, Manchester and Birmingham.
This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays, and once again there are a record number travelling Justin Fleming, Abta Airport workers to strike This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays, and once again there are a record number travelling Justin Fleming, Abta Airport workers to strike
These are mostly Virgin Train's services, but the closure also affects some London Midland and First ScotRail Sleeper services.These are mostly Virgin Train's services, but the closure also affects some London Midland and First ScotRail Sleeper services.
Alternative services will be provided either by other train operating companies or replacement coaches.Alternative services will be provided either by other train operating companies or replacement coaches.
"It's completely our fault. We under-estimated the amount of time we needed," said Mr Groves. The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said up to 4m passengers, about one million more than a typical weekday, were expected to take the train on Friday, and Saturday is also predicted to be busy.
"There are alternative routes from Scotland, from Manchester, from Birmingham that go into different stations in London, that are completely unaffected by engineering works."
Mr Groves also said the busiest remaining times for rail travel would be Friday and Saturday.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said up to 4m passengers, about one million more than a typical weekday, are expected to take the train on Friday, and Saturday is also predicted to be busy.
George Muir, its director general, said: "Christmas Day falls this year on a Tuesday and with more and more people taking two weeks off, we are expecting many passengers to travel on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas.George Muir, its director general, said: "Christmas Day falls this year on a Tuesday and with more and more people taking two weeks off, we are expecting many passengers to travel on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'm travelling from the bedroom via the stairs into the lounge. I might go exploring in the kitchen and, weather permitting, even sit outside on the patio Geoff Molloy, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I'm travelling from the bedroom via the stairs into the lounge. I might go exploring in the kitchen and, weather permitting, even sit outside on the patio Geoff Molloy, UK Send us your comments
"We strongly advise people to book ahead and reserve seats wherever possible."
A spokeswoman for the Met Office said conditions on the roads would be "tricky" on Saturday morning.A spokeswoman for the Met Office said conditions on the roads would be "tricky" on Saturday morning.
"We can expect a frost on Friday night in southern England and quite a sharp frost over south-east England and East Anglia by Saturday morning."We can expect a frost on Friday night in southern England and quite a sharp frost over south-east England and East Anglia by Saturday morning.
"Northern England and Scotland has the biggest potential for travel problems. There is a risk of ice, mostly over Scotland, with snow over mountains in Grampian."Northern England and Scotland has the biggest potential for travel problems. There is a risk of ice, mostly over Scotland, with snow over mountains in Grampian.
"That risk continues through the higher ground in northern England, places such as Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham."That risk continues through the higher ground in northern England, places such as Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham.
"Those icy conditions will last during Saturday morning and could cause problems for Scottish airports in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.""Those icy conditions will last during Saturday morning and could cause problems for Scottish airports in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh."
Steve Crosthwaite, head of the National Traffic Control Centre, said patchy fog was possible in many areas on Saturday morning, as well as freezing rain in the West from Birmingham to the Scottish Borders.Steve Crosthwaite, head of the National Traffic Control Centre, said patchy fog was possible in many areas on Saturday morning, as well as freezing rain in the West from Birmingham to the Scottish Borders.
Foreign destinationsForeign destinations
Temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday, with only a light frost in England and Wales and rain and wind in Scotland.Temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday, with only a light frost in England and Wales and rain and wind in Scotland.
For those heading abroad, top city-break destinations include Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta).For those heading abroad, top city-break destinations include Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta).
The Canary Islands, Egypt, Goa and Dubai are also proving popular among travellers this year. Abta also said the busiest day for overseas travel will be Saturday, followed by 30 December when people head for New Year's Eve celebrations abroad.The Canary Islands, Egypt, Goa and Dubai are also proving popular among travellers this year. Abta also said the busiest day for overseas travel will be Saturday, followed by 30 December when people head for New Year's Eve celebrations abroad.
A total of 1.2m passengers are expected to leave from London's Heathrow airport between Friday and 2 January.A total of 1.2m passengers are expected to leave from London's Heathrow airport between Friday and 2 January.
Abta president Justin Fleming said: "This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays, and once again there are a record number travelling."