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Christmas travel has already been thrown into disarray for thousands of passengers flying over the festive period, while ferry and rail closures are also causing problems.
Many passengers planning to fly from London Stansted Airport on Thursday, 19 December had their plans hampered after the first 17 departures of the airport express train were cancelled.
In the early hours of the morning, thieves stole signalling and power cables from the Stansted Express rail line in Hertfordshire, causing major disruption and delays to trains later in the day.
Other travellers have encountered issues with ferry services. The service between Holyhead and Dublin, the main ferry link between Britain and Ireland, will remain suspended over Christmas and into the new year after Holyhead’s port suffered damage during Storm Darragh. This has caused soaring air fares to Dublin.
Yellow weather alert warnings are also expected over the weekend, with strong winds hitting much of the UK’s north, likely causing delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
RAC urges drivers to avoid roads today 2pm-7pm
Nearly 3 million trips are predicted to take place on the roads today December 20, with a “gridlock period” expected in late afternoon and early evening.
The RAC recommends festive commuters avoid major routes during these hours. Queues of more than 45 minutes are expected on the M3 between Surrey and Hampshire, on the M25 in west London, and the M1 near Watford.
Further north, the M53 northbound from Chester to Liverpool will be worst affected by delays during home-time traffic.
Amber traffic warnings have been issued by the AA for today through to Sunday.
Annabel Grossman20 December 2024 08:30
Simon Calder offers last-minute escapes
You can still get away at a reasonable price this side of Christmas. The cheapest flight-plus-accommodation deal I have found for a week, flying away on 24 December, is just £180 per person in a four-star hotel. Per hour, that’s basically one guinea (ask an elderly relative). Spoiler alert: the deal, from easyJet Holidays, may not be the trip of your dreams. You fly on 24 December from Birmingham all the way to, er, Glasgow, and check in at the Doubletree by Hilton on the…
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