The last-minute Christmas getaway is underway with heavy traffic bringing festive misery to those driving to destinations for Christmas.
The RAC predicts the busiest single getaway day for motorists will be today, with peak time 10am-4pm.
This evening, multiple closures of rail lines for engineering work begin – meaning more road traffic that there would otherwise be, as travellers have little choice but to drive.
A lorry crash has closed the M40 in Oxfordshire bringing chaos to drivers.
Some minor disruption at Euston station this morning, included some journeys being cancelled, caused headaches for those using public transport.
Trains will start to head back to their depots for Christmas from late afternoon onwards, with services on most routes shutting down early.
We’ll keep you posted on all the major developments today and in the run up to Christmas...
Live coverage now ends
21:22 , Josh SalisburyOur live coverage is now ending.
For an overview of today’s travel disruption, visit here.
A14 closed after 'very serious collision'
20:44 , Matt WattsThe A14 westbound in Cambridgeshire is closed between J22 Brampton Interchange and J13 Thrapston.
“This is due to a very serious collision,” National Highways said in an alert.
“Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue are attending the scene.
“Information from scene indicates that this closure will be in place for a number of hours for police investigations.”
Lioness line part suspended between Euston and Watford
17:49 , Matt WattsThere is no service on the Lioness line between Euston and Watford Junction while Network Rail fix a points failure at Queen's Park.
The disruption on the London Overground line is expected to last until 7.30pm, National Rail has said.
Piccadilly line part suspended and passengers face 'severe' delays
15:55 , Matt WattsTransport for London has said there is no service on the Piccadilly line between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due a shortage of trains and damage caused by leaf fall.
It says there are severe delays on the rest of the line due to a shortage of trains.
M40 reopens after lorry crash
15:18 , Jacob PhillipsThe M40 has reopened after being closed for several hours due to a lorry crash.
National Highways shared a picture of an overturned HGV in Oxfordshire - causing all lanes to close southbound between junctions J8A and J6.
The Oxford Bus Company confirmed the route had reopened and some buses were returning, but delayed, on Tuesday afternoon.
UPDATE: We can confirm that the M40 is now reopened and Airline services are resuming their regular route but we are still experiencing residual delays and as a result, the 15:10 Oxford to Heathrow departure will be unable to operate.
— Oxford Bus Company (@OxfordBusCo) December 24, 2024
Traffic stopped on major route in Yorkshire after horses break loose
15:09 , Jacob PhillipsTraffic has been temporarily stopped on the M62 in Yorkshire after horses got loose on the carriageway.
The animals broke free on a westbound section of the major road between Saddleworth and Milnrow.
Traffic has been temporarily stopped on the #M62 westbound between J22 #Saddleworth and J21 #Milnrow due to horses loose on the carriageway
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) December 24, 2024
Please be patient we'll try and get you moving again soon pic.twitter.com/FSNwHZht5M
Whitehall briefly shut down due to 'police incident' on Christmas Eve
14:30 , Jacob PhillipsThe road outside Downing Street was briefly shut down due to a “police incident” on Christmas Eve.
A large section of Whitehall was cordoned off at lunchtime as the Met Police checked an item that had been found hear Horseguards.
The force told the Standard that the item had been checked by and the incident was stood down at 2.15pm on Tuesday, with central London expected to quickly return to normal.
Major London high street shut following stabbing on Christmas Eve
14:06 , Jacob PhillipsA man was stabbed in south London in the early hours of Christmas Eve.
Police were called to Streatham High Road shortly after 4am on Tuesday following reports of a stabbing.
Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a man for stab injuries.
Read the full story here.
Image shows overturned lorry that has closed M40
13:34 , Matt WattsNational Highways has shared an image of the lorry crash that has closed the M40 bringing misery to drivers.
The HGV overturned in Oxfordshire - causing all lanes to close southbound between junctions J8A and J6.
The collision, which took place earlier this morning between junctions 7 and 6, has left the HGV overhanging a footpath below, National Highways said.
For the vehicle to be safely recovered, the southbound carriageway has been closed.
Work will then begin on repairing the safety barrier on the bridge.
Craig Sowden, Operations Manager for National Highways’ East region, advised drivers to avoid the area if they can.
“This collision has left an HGV balancing precariously over a footpath used by members of the public below.
“We have looked at all possible options but the only way to manage this situation safely is to close the carriageway.
“We thank drivers for their patience and would advise them to allow extra time for their journeys.
Last trains for major intercity routes
13:12 , Matt WattsServices on most routes shut early on Christmas Eve: The last direct trains on key intercity routes on 24 December are as follows:
- London King’s Cross-Edinburgh: 5.30pm/Edinburgh-London King’s Cross: 4.13pm
- London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly: 5.55pm/Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston: 6.13pm
- London Paddington-Cardiff Central: 7.48pm/Cardiff Central-London Paddington: 8.18pm
- London Victoria-Gatwick Airport: 8.45pm/Gatwick Airport-London Victoria: 7.32pm
- Bristol Temple Meads-Leeds: 4.35pm/Leeds-Bristol Temple Meads: 4.11pm
- Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen: 6.41pm/Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street: 6.36pm
Long delays on the M40
11:59 , Jacob PhillipsIt’s bad news for drivers on the M40 in Oxfordshire. The route is closed southbound between Junction 8A (Waterstock) and Junction 6 (Lewknor) to recover an overturned HGV involved in an earlier collision.
National Highways has warned there is around a 45 minute delay on approach.
The #M40 in #Oxfordshire is closed southbound between J8A #Waterstock and J6 #Lewknor to recover an overturned HGV involved in an earlier collision.
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) December 24, 2024
There is around 45 minute delays on approach.
More information and diversion route here: https://t.co/oAnDUocmJ4 pic.twitter.com/UhSUGFR7nc
Conditions improving for last-minute Christmas getaways
11:33 , Jacob PhillipsConditions are expected to improve this week after bad weather caused disruption during the Christmas getaway period.
The Met Office has forecast a “grey Christmas” with some sunny spells and “extremely mild” temperatures.
It comes after a “perfect storm” of adverse weather conditions and road congestion led to widespread disruption during the Christmas getaway.
You can read more about the conditions that drivers will be facing here.
Some trains from Waterloo hit by delays until the end of the day
11:30 , Jacob PhillipsTrains London Waterloo and stations such as Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton, and Guildford have been hit by delays.
National Rail has said a problem with line-side equipment at Portsmouth & Southsea mean that platforms 3 and 4 are currently out of use.
As a result, trains running through this station may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Live coverage ends
Sunday 22 December 2024 22:09 , Jacob PhillipsLive coverage has ended. Read the latest stories from the Standard here.
Disruption at Belfast airport as plane’s nose wheel collapses in ‘hard landing’
Sunday 22 December 2024 20:07 , Jacob PhillipsA plane’s nose wheel collapsed as it landed in Belfast due to adverse weather conditions.
There were four crew on board and no passengers when the hard landing occurred on Sunday afternoon.
The incident triggered emergency procedures at Belfast City Airport and has forced the runway to close for the rest of the day.
Read more about the incident here.
'Permanent solution' still needed to stop injuries at busy Elizabeth line station
Sunday 22 December 2024 18:40 , Jacob PhillipsQuestions over the safety of Elizabeth line passengers at a busy west London station were raised on Thursday at City Hall.
A number of passengers have been seriously injured at Ealing Broadway due to a large gap between the train and the platform.
Earlier this year, mayor Sadiq Khan apologised to those who had suffered injuries, and he was asked this week about progress to resolve the problem.
Speaking at Mayor’s Question Time, Mr Khan revealed that signage and audio announcements have been introduced to warn passengers about the size of the gap, as well as extra staff keeping an eye on the platforms.
Read the full story here.
Winds up to 75mph forecast as Christmas getaway period continues
Sunday 22 December 2024 15:43 , Jacob PhillipsWinds of up to 75mph have been forecast for parts of the UK as the Christmas getaway period continues to see disruption caused by bad weather.
Heathrow Airport has confirmed around 100 flights have been cancelled on Sunday and passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.
It comes as the Met Office said yellow warnings for wind, which came into force at 7am on Saturday, are expected to remain in place until 9pm on Sunday.
Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire.
Lines reopen following disturbance on London Overground
Sunday 22 December 2024 15:28 , Jacob PhillipsAll lines have reopened following a passenger causing a disturbance onboard a train at Shadwell earlier today on the London Overground.
Trains running between Highbury & Islington and Canada Water may continue to be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 5pm.
London train line has delays of up to 40 minutes
Sunday 22 December 2024 13:56 , Will MataTrains are being delayed by up to 40 minutes or revised on a line from south west to east London.
A fault on a train between between Camden Road and Kentish Town West means that the line is blocked.
“Trains running between Stratford and Clapham Junction / Richmond may be cancelled, delayed by up to 40 minutes or revised,” National Rail has said.
Severe delays on Windrush line
Sunday 22 December 2024 13:15 , Will MataOn the Overground, there are currently severe delays between Highbury & Islington and New Cross, Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace and West Croydon due to customer action at Shadwell.
Temporary air traffic restrictions in place at London Heathrow Airport
Sunday 22 December 2024 12:25 , Will MataTemporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place at London Heathrow Airport due to the weather, according to reports.
British Airways has told the Independent that “a small number of cancellations” had been the result of adverse weather which had led to restrictions.
A spokesman said: “We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.”
Stansted Airport: Lines reopen
Sunday 22 December 2024 11:38 , Will MataAll lines that had been affected into Stansted Airport railway station have now reopened but delays are expected to last until midday.
Hundreds of passengers were at least slightly delayed on Sunday morning due to a points failure.
This included journeys to and from London Liverpol Street.
Met Office gives warnings of snow for parts of UK
Sunday 22 December 2024 11:10 , Will MataIt might not be a white start to Christmas in London but parts of the UK are seeing snow on Sunday.
The Met Office has forecast snow for parts of Yorkshire and the west of England.
A forecast reads: “It's a cold, blustery start to Sunday, and as the sequence shows we're even seeing a little snow in places this morning, chiefly over hills towards the north and west.”
It's a cold, blustery start to Sunday, and as the sequence shows we're even seeing a little snow in places this morning, chiefly over hills towards the north and west ❄️
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 22, 2024
Whatever the weather where you are, send in your snaps 📷 to #LoveUKWeather and we'll post some here later pic.twitter.com/8aHhZZhhMX
Restrictions and cancellations in Scotland
Sunday 22 December 2024 10:32 , Will MataP&O Ferries said journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled until at least 8pm on Sunday.
CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland's west coast, said 29 of its 30 routes were either cancelled or affected by disruption on Sunday.
Rail operator ScotRail announced that speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.
Heading south
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:54 , Will MataDrivers are facing a tricky journey south on Sunday morning.
Gareth Richman sent us this image from near Tebay services on M6 by Lake District.
He is currently travelling down to London for Christmas from Scotland.
Where are the wind warnings?
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:30 , Will MataThe Met Office said yellow warnings for wind, which came into force at 7am on Saturday, are expected to remain in place until 9pm on Sunday.
Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire.
Some TfL lines running reduced services
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:05 , Will MataFor Sunday:
The Docklands Light Railway has no service between Shadwell and Bank. The DLR is also not running between Prince Regent and Beckton.
On the Mildmay line, until midday there is no service between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction.
For the Piccadilly line, there is no service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due a shortage of trains.
More than 20 million expected to hit the road
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:00 , Will MataThe AA has predicted 21.3 million drivers will hit the road on Sunday while 22.7 million had been expected on Saturday, slightly fewer than the 23.7 million on Friday which was expected to be the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.
A spokesperson said: “If the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm.
“We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”
Heathrow announces 'small number' of flight cancellations
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:45 , Will MataHeathrow Airport announced a “small number of flights” had been cancelled due to “strong winds and airspace restriction”.
British Airways has said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend.
A spokesperson for the airline said: “Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we’ve had to make a small number of cancellations.
“We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.”
Train lines blocked to Stansted Airport
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:33 , Will MataA points failure at Stansted Airport means that all lines are blocked, with trains being delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.
All lines are affected, including the Stansted Express from London Liverpool Street.
Disruption is expected until 9am.
RAC identifies pinchpoints on main roads
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:30 , Will MataThe RAC has estimated that seven million leisure trips will be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic.
It predicted that congestion hotspots will be on both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23; Liverpool to Chester on the M53; Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3; the M25 to the south coast along the M3; and at the Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.
Northern cancels hundreds of trains
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:15 , Will MataNorth west England franchise holder Nothern has cancelled trains on all 11 of its routes - adding up to hundreds of services not running, says the Independent.
“Recently, we have seen higher levels of cancellations in the northwest and for that we are sorry,” a statement offered.
“The underlying reason is train crew availability, in particular on Sundays which is contractually outside of the working week.”
Reduced service on Elizabeth line
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:05 , Will MataTransport for London has said that all day a reduced service will operate on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Heathrow / Maidenhead.
Six trains an hour will serve Ealing Broadway, Southall and Hayes & Harlington in each direction.
Four trains an hour will serve West Ealing and Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, and two trains an hour will serve Acton Main Line, Hanwell, Heathrow Terminal 4, West Drayton, Langley, Slough, Burnham and Maidenhead.
Disruption between Uckfield / East Grinstead and London Victoria
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:02 , Will MataSignalling staff being taken ill at Oxted means trains between Uckfield or East Grinstead and East Croydon to London Victoria may be cancelled or revised, National Rail has said.
Disruption is expected until midday.
Live coverage has ended
Saturday 21 December 2024 21:39 , Jacob PhillipsOur live coverage has ended. Read other stories from the Standard here.
Ferries cancelled due to weather conditions
Saturday 21 December 2024 18:58 , Jacob PhillipsP&O Ferries have confirmed journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled for at least 24 hours.
A spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight (21st December) until at least 2000 tomorrow night (22nd December).
“We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion.
“All remaining sailings for today are fully booked, customers can manage their booking online or call us on 01304 884488 to amend or cancel their booking. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
TfL says 'too many leaves on Piccadilly line' has damaged trains
Saturday 21 December 2024 17:24 , Jacob PhillipsPassengers on the Piccadilly line faced yet more disruption due to leaves on the track on Friday - ahead of six months of chaos caused by a combination of “the wrong kind of leaves” and preparatory work for a new £1.5bn fleet of trains.
The closure of the western end of the line, between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge, will continue until “mid-January” due to a shortage of trains caused by “leaf fall causing extensive damage to train wheels”.
Problems began in November when storms caused a deluge of leaves to fall on the track – resulting in the 50-year-old trains to skid and damage their wheels.
This meant fewer trains on the rest of the line, meaning delays and packed trains.
South London line trains now running
Saturday 21 December 2024 15:19 , Will MataTrains are now running normally following the emergency services dealing with an earlier incident between Blackheath and Barnehurst.
It was said that a person was hit by a train.
The Standard has approached British Transport Police and London Ambulance Service for more information.
More than 30 million on high streets
Saturday 21 December 2024 14:47 , Will MataMore than 30 million Brits are doing their Christmas shopping on Saturday, according to the Sun.
Pictures of busy high streets and town centres have been shared online showing the peak of the last shopping Saturday ahead of December 25.
Delays after person hit by a train
Saturday 21 December 2024 13:58 , Will MataTrains running between Blackheath and Barnehurst are expected to be delayed on Saturday afternoon after emergency services attended an incident.
The response was after a person was been hit by a train earlier. They are now in the care of the emergency services and the line current has been switched back on.
“Trains running between Blackheath and Barnehurst may still be delayed by up to 30 minutes, cancelled or revised whilst service recovers,” National Rail has said.
Busy weekend for travel
Saturday 21 December 2024 13:49 , Will MataHeathrow Airport is facing a busy weekend of departing and arriving passengers - but has been hit with 33 cancelled flights on Saturday alone.
On average there are around 650 departures from Heathrow each day, according to its website, which means that around 5 per cent of all flights are cancelled on Saturday by that metric.
On the roads, around 22.7 million journeys are set to be made on Saturday while the Port of Dover expecting 25,000 cars to pass through it this weekend.
Heathrow confirms flights were cancelled due to weather
Saturday 21 December 2024 13:24 , Will MataLondon Heathrow Airport has confirmed that strong winds and airspace restrictions have caused some flight cancellations.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: "Due to strong winds and airspace restrictions, a small number of flights have been cancelled on Saturday.
“This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.
“We know how important travel at this time of year is and have extra colleagues on hand in our terminals to support people on their journeys.
“We encourage passengers to check in with their airlines for the latest information about their flights."
Delays after road blocked in Hendon
Saturday 21 December 2024 13:18 , Will MataA road is blocked and traffic is queueing on the A504 Church Road both ways between A502 Brent Street and Church End.
A detour in operation for bus routes 125, 143, 183, 326, according to data released by Inrix.
More than 250 delays at Heathrow
Saturday 21 December 2024 13:13 , Will MataMore than 250 flights have been delayed at London Heathrow Airport on Saturday, according to tracker website Flight Aware, with 33 cancellations.
A further 58 are said to be cancelled tomorrow.
London Heathrow has been contacted for a response.
National Rail confirms Christmas and New Year engineering works for London and South-East
Saturday 21 December 2024 11:30 , Will MataThe Christmas week is once more being set aside for repairs to rail networks, which has the potential to disrupt journeys in and out of London.
Liverpool Street and Paddington are both set to be closed for part of the festive period, while other lines around the capital could also see disruption.
Where are weather warnings in place?
Saturday 21 December 2024 11:16 , Will MataThe Met Office has weather warnings in place for much of the north east of England and Scotland on Saturday.
“Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely,” the agency has said.
“It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
“Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer.”
Euston station's giant screen to be switched back on
Saturday 21 December 2024 11:00 , Will MataThe giant screen at Euston station is to be switched back on – but it will display train departure times rather than adverts.
Network Rail, which owns the mainline station, says the screen will turned back on as part of a trial to “provide clearer and more visible travel updates for passengers”.
Ross Lydall has the full story here.
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'Permanent solution' still needed to stop injuries at busy Elizabeth line station
Saturday 21 December 2024 10:30 , Will MataQuestions over the safety of Elizabeth line passengers at a busy west London station were raised on Thursday at City Hall.
A number of passengers have been seriously injured at Ealing Broadway due to a large gap between the train and the platform.
Earlier this year, mayor Sadiq Khan apologised to those who had suffered injuries, and he was asked this week about progress to resolve the problem.
Speaking at Mayor’s Question Time, Mr Khan revealed that signage and audio announcements have been introduced to warn passengers about the size of the gap, as well as extra staff keeping an eye on the platforms.
Noah Vickers has the full story here.
Euston expected to be 'extremely busy' over Christmas period
Saturday 21 December 2024 10:15 , Will MataFrom Christmas Eve, there is expected to be disruption at London Euston station.
🎄 Travelling over the festive period? We’re expecting Euston to be extremely busy
— London Euston (@NetworkRailEUS) December 21, 2024
ℹ️ Please consider travelling before 24 December or after 2 January for a more comfortable journey
📲 Check before you travel @nationalrailenq
👉 https://t.co/0m3BR0jPTl pic.twitter.com/fVOukvDdVX
Three London Overground stations named among 'worst in the country for cancelled trains'
Saturday 21 December 2024 10:00 , Will MataThree London Overground stations have been named as among the worst in Britain for the number of cancelled trains.
Shepherds Bush, Dalston Kingsland and Hackney Central – all on the renamed Mildmay line of the Overground network – have reportedly seen more than six per cent of services cancelled since the start of the year.
Ross Lydall has the full story here.
Motorists advised to be patient
Saturday 21 December 2024 09:45 , Will MataThe RAC has urged Christmas getaway travellers to “be patient” on the roads and highlighted the M25, M4 and M5 as “crunch points” for delays.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Anyone travelling now, I’m looking at the maps, you’ve got a lot of the road largely to yourself.
“But we are expecting things to build up through the course of the morning … If you’re packing up now, this is a good time to travel. There’s a core of about 11 o’clock this morning and between about four and six this afternoon, that’s the core time where we expect the traffic to be heavier.”
When asked if there are particular crunch points of delays the RAC is worried about, Mr Dennis said: “Yeah, I wouldn’t say worried about. I think this is the thing people are going to be well used to, where they’re not able to tear all the cones out and open all the lanes.
“Obviously there’s stretches of the northern part of the M25, part of the M4, the M5, a lot of routes people use for the sorts of journeys they’re going to make ahead of Christmas where they just can’t open all the lanes back up again. So, there’s those to bear in mind.
“What we’re saying to people is just be patient. These are journeys that matter to us this time of year. Just don’t expect to get there the minute your sat-nav says it will. Allow yourself a bit of time to make it easy and get there safely.”
Transport for London confirms Christmas and New Year timetables
Saturday 21 December 2024 09:30 , Will MataTransport for London (TfL) has published its reduced Christmas and New Year timetables, which will see disruption to key services for a week-and-a-half.
Parts of the Tube and Overground network will be on a reduced service because of planned works, and mainline services from Paddington and Liverpool Street are also affected. However, extra trains have been put on for New Year’s Eve.
In addition, the congestion charge will not operate from December 25 to January 1, while the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) will be in effect for all but Christmas Day.
Here is the full list of what’s running when.
RAC identifies potential problem spots for road travel
Saturday 21 December 2024 09:23 , Will MataRAC spokesman Rod Dennis has identified a number of hotspots where traffic congestion could be felt on Saturday, December 21.
He told the BBC: "With the weekend bringing a mix of strong winds along with heavy, and in some places wintry, showers, it's going to make many of the estimated seven million getaway trips by car a pretty exhausting experience."
He said places to watch out for are:
- Both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23
- Liverpool to Chester on the M53
- Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3
- The M25 to the south coast along the M3
- The Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.
Disruption between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:57 , Will MataA shortage of train crew between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside means that fewer trains are able to run. As a result, trains may be cancelled or revised.
Disruption is expected until 09.30am.
Your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost to yourself, on the following services:
- London Underground via any reasonable route,
- Elizabeth line between London Paddington / Slough and Reading,
- Great Western Railway between London Paddington and Slough / Windsor & Eton Central
Look out for these Transport for London engineering works in 2025
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:30 , Will MataThese works are coming your way next year - including an upgrade to the Piccadilly line which will put sections out of action for several weeks.
There will also be alterations in early Jan caused by the Winter Wonderland and other engineering.
TfL has now published its latest guidance for the months ahead.
Delays and closures on Piccadilly Line
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:10 , Will MataThere is currently no service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due a shortage of Piccadilly line trains while TfL fixes damage caused by leaf fall.
There are severe delays on the rest of the line due to a shortage of trains.
Tickets will be accepted on the Elizabeth Line, London Overground, Great Northern and local buses.
The Metropolitan line can be used to complete most journeys.
Road closure on A1 (M) after police incident
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:07 , Will MataThe A1(M) is now closed between northbound between J3 (Hatfield) and J5 (Welwyn Garden City) due an ongoing Hertfordhsire Police incident.
Traffic has been released on the southbound carriageway.
“Please plan ahead if travelling in the area this morning,” National Highways has said.
Guidance for driving in windy weather
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:03 , Will MataNational Highways has given guidance to motorists on how best to handle conditions on a blustery weekend.
“Strong winds could impact the region this weekend,” a tweet read. “Slow down to minimise the impact of wind gusts, keep both hands on the steering wheel, be aware of high sided vehicles on exposed roads.”
🌬️ Strong winds could impact the region this weekend.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) December 21, 2024
🚗 Slow down to minimise the impact of wind gusts
🙌 Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
🚛 Be aware of high sided vehicles on exposed roads
➡️ https://t.co/vkztVq0MET
#WeatherReady #TRIP pic.twitter.com/sOhB6sKWDP
Part closure on Docklands Light Railway
Saturday 21 December 2024 08:00 , Will MataTransport for London has confirmed that there is no service between Shadwell and Bank.
The DLR route will be out of action from Saturday until December 30.
Until Monday there is also no service between Prince Regent and Beckton.
Replacement buses are operating on the line.
Travellers warned of ‘extremely busy’ trains on routes to and from London this weekend
Friday 20 December 2024 17:24 , Sami QuadriLondon Northwestern Railway has warned passengers to expect "extremely busy" trains this weekend on routes into and out of London St Pancras, as well as between Euston, Milton Keynes, and beyond.
The operator said engineering works on other services will have a knock-on effect, leading to overcrowding on its trains.
Travellers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check updates before travelling.
Weather warnings issued as Christmas getaway begins
Friday 20 December 2024 16:13 , Sami QuadriWeather warnings have been issued for parts of the UK as the Christmas getaway begins.
Roads and public transport could be disrupted by strong winds as people travel across the country for the festive period, the Met Office said, adding that it will be a “wet and windy weekend for many”.
Yellow warnings for wind have been issued in the North West and the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.
Sunday’s warning will also include London, the South East and South West, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
The strong winds will be more widespread on Sunday, meteorologists said, but the weather will be “exceptionally mild” by Christmas Day.
The Met Office said: “The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80 mph in coastal districts including Orkney.
“Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways. This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.
“Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and north-west.
“Those showers could turn to snow on the hills in the northwest of Scotland on Saturday evening, and then overnight and into Sunday.
“Snow will be focused over hills, where several centimetres may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning.”
RAC reveals worst times to travel this Christmas weekend as traffic chaos looms
Friday 20 December 2024 14:51 , Sami QuadriThe RAC has warned drivers to expect heavy traffic during peak times this Christmas weekend, with Christmas Eve predicted to be the busiest day for getaway trips.
Today, the worst time to travel is expected between 2pm and 7pm, as roads fill with leisure journeys. Traffic is expected to ease after 7pm, making it the best time for travel.
On Saturday, delays are expected to be heaviest between 1pm and 6pm, with the RAC advising drivers to set off before 1pm to avoid congestion.
Sunday’s traffic is predicted to peak between 8am and 11am, while Monday, 23 December, and Christmas Eve will see the worst conditions between 10am and 4pm.
Christmas Eve is expected to be the busiest day overall, as millions take to the roads for last-minute shopping or to visit family and friends before Christmas Day.
Drivers are urged to plan their journeys carefully to avoid delays and ensure a smoother trip over the festive period.
UK Christmas rail shutdown: Last train times revealed as services end early on Christmas Eve
Friday 20 December 2024 13:44Rail services across the UK will wind down early on Christmas Eve as trains head back to their depots for the festive break, with no passenger trains running on Christmas Day.
Services on most routes will stop in the late afternoon on 24 December. Key intercity last direct train times on Christmas Eve include:
- London King’s Cross to Edinburgh: 5.30pm / Edinburgh to London King’s Cross: 4.13pm
- London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly: 5.55pm / Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston: 6.13pm
- London Paddington to Cardiff Central: 7.48pm / Cardiff Central to London Paddington: 8.18pm
- London Victoria to Gatwick Airport: 8.45pm / Gatwick Airport to London Victoria: 7.32pm
- Bristol Temple Meads to Leeds: 4.35pm / Leeds to Bristol Temple Meads: 4.11pm
- Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen: 6.41pm / Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street: 6.36pm
All Caledonian Sleeper services have been cancelled until 27 December.
No trains will operate on Christmas Day across any UK rail line, with limited services resuming on some routes on Boxing Day. Passengers are advised to check schedules and plan their journeys in advance to avoid disruption.
Kentish Town Tube station to reopen after 18-month closure ahead of Christmas
Friday 20 December 2024 13:28 , Sami QuadriKentish Town Tube station is set to reopen on December 23 after being closed for 18 months for major upgrades.
While Thameslink services have continued to operate at the railway station, passengers have been unable to use the London Underground since June 2023.
The refurbishment included replacing the station’s 26-year-old escalators and upgrading the ticket hall with a new floor and ceiling.
However, the station won’t remain open long over the festive period, as public transport in London shuts down on Christmas Day.
There will be no Tube, bus, or Overground services on Christmas Day, and parts of the network, including the Elizabeth line, will remain closed on Boxing Day.
Severe delays on Piccadilly line due to train shortages
Friday 20 December 2024 12:50 , Sami QuadriThe Piccadilly line is facing severe delays, with no service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due to train shortages caused by leaf fall damage.
Passengers are advised to use the Metropolitan line to complete their journeys while maintenance teams work to resolve the issue. Transport for London apologised for the disruption and urged travellers to check updates before setting off.
Traffic jam warning ahead of ‘busiest Christmas getaway on record’
Friday 20 December 2024 12:23 , Sami QuadriDrivers planning Christmas getaways are being warned to expect long queues because of record traffic levels.
The AA predicted that Friday, December 20 will be the busiest day on the roads during the festive period, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip.
That is more than the busiest Christmas getaway day of any year since the AA began recording data in 2010.
The joint second worst days for traffic jams over the 2024 festive period are expected to be Saturday December 21 and Monday December 23, each with 22.7 million drivers on the road.
So-called amber traffic warnings have been issued by the AA for all three days.
The breakdown rescue company identified several likely congestion hotspots, including:
– The M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
– The M25 near Heathrow airport, west London
– The M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham
– The M60 near the Trafford Centre, Manchester
– The M1 near Meadowhall, Sheffield
Storm-force winds of up to 45mph to hit London this weekend as Christmas getaway begins
Friday 20 December 2024 12:18 , Sami QuadriLondoners are being warned to brace for gusts of up to 45mph this weekend as the Met Office issues yellow wind warnings for much of the UK ahead of the Christmas holidays.
The capital will see a breezy and wet start to the weekend, with rain expected to clear by Saturday afternoon. Strong winds will continue, particularly along coastal areas, as storm-force conditions sweep across the UK.
Nationwide, winds could reach speeds of up to 85mph in some areas, with the Met Office urging people to prepare for “disruptive weather.”
An area of low pressure will bring rain and strong winds to much of the country on Saturday, with a yellow warning covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales, and north-west England from 7am to midnight.
Four million Britons to travel overseas for Christmas and New Year
Friday 20 December 2024 12:13 , Sami QuadriAn estimated four million people in the UK are preparing to spend the Christmas and new year period overseas, according to a travel trade organisation.
Abta said Sunday will be the busiest day for departures between Friday and January 2, with Christmas Day the quietest.
It identified the most popular destinations for winter sun holidays as the Canary Islands, southern Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Dubai.
The ski resorts of France, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia lead the way for holidaymakers seeking snow, while the most popular city break destinations include Amsterdam, Budapest, Dublin, Paris, Prague and Vienna.
Heathrow airport expects this will be its busiest December on record for passenger numbers, exceeding the previous high of 6.7 million in 2023.
Around half a million departing passengers are expected at both Manchester and Stansted airports over the Christmas and new year period, with 400,000 at Luton, 200,000 at Birmingham and 175,000 at Bristol.
