Congested roads and railway disruption hinders the festive getaway for millions
THE CHRISTMAS getaway was hit by congested roads and disruption on the rail network.
Highways England reported 46 traffic incidents on motorways and A-roads at 1pm yesterday, including 15 classed as severe.
An estimated 1.3m drivers on leisure trips were competing for road space with regular commuters on the last working day before Christmas. Graham Cookson, chief economist at transportation analyst Inrix, said it was one of the busiest days of the year with “incredibly severe” traffic jams.
He said the M25 is “right at the top of the list”, warning: “It doesn’t matter which way you’re going round it.”
The M1, M6 and the M4 were also expected to be “incredibly busy”. The RAC dubbed the day Frantic Friday and strongly urged drivers to avoid long journeys “if they possibly can”.
On the rail network a number of operators reported delays and cancellations.
Coach operator National Express ran one of its largest ever Christmas schedule to meet increased demand from key locations such as Leeds, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester.
Airports, ports and international railway stations were busy with more than 4.5m people heading abroad over Christmas and the new year.
The UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, welcomed 130,000 departing passengers yesterday. Many of Britain’s mainline rail routes will be partly shut in the coming days for engineering works.