Chaos is on the way as people set off home for Christmas over the next few days.
A culmination of rail strikes, road congestion and Border Force walk-outs at airports will make it challenging for those attempting to travel across, or enter, the country. Border Force agents will begin an eight-day stint of industrial action on Friday (December 23), while rail workers will stage a fresh round of strikes from Christmas Eve (Saturday December 24).
With more pressure put on the roads it's expected to be a busy 48 hours, with some estimated 33.5 million getaway journeys being made according to the AA. Drivers are being warned of disruption, with high traffic levels and some road closures expected to cause major congestion.
The strikes are the latest in a long-standing series of industrial action, including from nurses, paramedics and postal workers. Disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions are behind the walk-outs sweeping industries across the UK.
Here are the warnings and advice issued if you are travelling by train or car, or attempting to get into the UK via an airport in the run-up to Christmas.
Road congestion and closures
Drivers are being warned to check their vehicles before setting off and expect long queues on the roads over the next two days. The AA said Friday will be the busiest day on the roads this week, with an estimated 16.9 million journeys being made across the UK.
A further 16.6 million journeys are expected to be made on Christmas Eve. The worst congestion on those days is expected to be between 10am and 7pm on Friday (December 23), and between noon and 1pm on Saturday (December 24).
Total traffic volumes will be far greater prior to the weekend as drivers getting away for the festive period compete for road space with commuters and everyday motorists. This is likely to cause jams in cities and on major routes.
Roads likely to be hit by congestion this week include the M25, the M60 near Manchester, the M6 in north-west England and the M40 in Oxfordshire. National Highways said it will ensure almost 98% of England’s motorways and major A-roads are fully open until the end of January 2 by either completing or lifting roadworks.
But it has also released a list of UK road closures for the festive period, with some motorways and major A-roads shut for 24 hours or more during the next four days.
The AA, which issued an “amber traffic warning” for Friday and Saturday, urged motorists to carry out car checks such as levels of fuel, oil, coolant and screen wash, and ensuring tyres are correctly inflated. The company’s head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “Breakdowns add to traffic jams, so if everyone spent 10 minutes checking their car before leaving it could save everyone hours on their journey.”
Rail strikes
Train passengers are being warned to expect cancellations and disruption as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers union walk out on Christmas Eve. The industrial action will take place from 6pm on Saturday (December 24) until 6am on Tuesday December 27.
It is the third set of strikes carried out by the union this month, in a long-standing dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. National Rail warned: "The rail industry is working hard to minimise the effect that this will have on services but it is inevitable that services will be cancelled or severely disrupted.
"It is likely that there will be a very limited service on these days with no trains at all on some routes. Services may also start later on days following the end of the strike action."
Avanti has also confirmed the timings of its first and last trains between major cities on Christmas Eve, with customers being advised to travel only if absolutely necessary.
Disruption is expected to continue into the new year, with members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) striking from December 26 to 29, the Aslef union taking industrial action on 5 January and the RMT announcing a fresh round of walk-outs for January 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Border Force strikes
Around a quarter of a million passengers arriving at UK airports on Friday (December 23) are being warned to expect delays due to the start of Border Force strikes.
Around 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union employed by the Home Office to operate passport booths will walkout at Manchester, Heathrow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Gatwick and Glasgow airports, and the port of Newhaven in East Sussex.
The Border Force strikes will take place every day from Friday to the end of the year, except December 27. Steve Dann, Border Force Chief Operating Officer, warned: "During the periods of industrial action, travellers should be prepared for disruption. We encourage everyone to check the latest advice from your operators before travelling."
He continued: "We apologise for any disruption caused to travellers entering the UK. Border Force’s number one priority to is keep our citizens safe and borders secure. We are working together with partners across the travel industry to ensure we can continue to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border."
The UK government has advised that airport eGates will continue to function as normal and encouraged those eligible to use them as they are the 'quickest and most efficient way to pass through border control.'
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