Families face chaos on the roads, railways and at airports in the run up to Christmas.
Some 23.7 million drivers are planning to travel on December 20 – the biggest festive getaway since figures were first recorded in 2010, the AA warned yesterday.
A further 22.7 million are planning trips on December 21 and 23, research by the breakdown service suggests, meaning tailbacks are likely on many routes.
Meanwhile, ministers have warned that engineering works could cause train disruption, and rail minister Lord Hendy said he is ‘worried’ that chronic staff shortages could exacerbate problems for rail operators.
He told MPs on the Commons transport committee it ‘may or may not be the case’ there’ll be enough staff to run a full timetable, due to the industry being ‘over-reliant’ on overtime working during the festive period.
To add to travellers’ woes, the RMT union has ordered Avanti West Coast train managers to strike on December 22, 23 and 29.
The operator runs the West Coast Mainline connecting London with Birmingham and Manchester, but will effectively be shut down for Christmas due to the industrial action.
It is the second year in a row the RMT has targeted Christmas with strikes, and Downing Street has urged train managers to ‘rethink their position’. Heathrow Airport also warned it was expecting a record influx of passengers this month.
Families face chaos on the roads, railways and at airports in the run up to Christmas Pictured: Crowds of people are seen waiting for trains at London Waterloo Station in 2021
Some 23.7 million drivers are planning to travel on December 20 – the biggest festive getaway since figures were first recorded in 2010
Pictured: A man dressed as Santa Claus entertains queing passengers at Heathrow Airport
Numbers for December are expected to exceed last year’s record of 6.7 million.
Offering advice to drivers, the AA warned that the dash to see loved ones and do last-minute shopping will probably cause tailbacks on the M4/M5 interchange near Bristol, the M25 near Heathrow Airport, the M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham, the M1 near Meadowhall shopping centre, in Sheffield, and the M60 near the Trafford Centre, in Manchester.
Chris Wood of the AA, said: ‘The best way to ensure hassle-free journeys is to plan well. Check traffic reports before you leave and consider taking a different route to beat the jams.’
The rail engineering works will lead to more pressure on the roads as people opt to go by car, rather than by train.
Rail disruptions will include London Liverpool Street station closed from Christmas Day until January 2 and no trains calling at London Paddington between Friday December 27 and Sunday December 29, while work is carried out on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) urged passengers to be aware of their rights in the event flights are delayed or cancelled.
Selina Chadha, CAA director of the consumer and markets group, said: ‘We encourage passengers to familiarise themselves with their rights before heading to the airport, so they feel prepared to address unexpected challenges.’