December 12th 2024.
With Christmas just around the corner, it's important to be prepared for the inevitable increase in traffic that comes with the holiday season. Across British motorways, train lines, and airports, things are expected to get pretty hectic. Drivers planning holiday getaways have been warned to expect long traffic jams due to record levels of travel. In fact, December 20 is predicted to be the busiest day on the roads, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers hitting the pavement. That's even more than the busiest day on record back in 2010.
But it's not just December 20 that's causing concern. The AA has identified the joint second-worst days for traffic jams to be Saturday, December 21 and Monday, December 23, with 22.7 million drivers expected to be on the road each day. In anticipation of these high traffic volumes, amber traffic warnings have already been issued. So, which roads should drivers be wary of this Christmas? The M4/M5 interchange near Bristol, the M25 near Heathrow airport in west London, the M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham, the M60 near the Trafford Centre in Manchester, and the M1 near Meadowhall in Sheffield have all been identified as potential hotspots.
But it's not just drivers who will feel the effects of the Christmas rush. Train stations and airports are also expected to be bustling with activity. The AA predicts that the fact Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday this year may help to spread out the festive journeys, but it could also result in more days of long delays. With many people taking off work on Friday, December 20 for a getaway, followed by last-minute shopping trips and visits to friends and family, it's likely that traffic will be heavy for several days. As such, the AA is advising drivers to pack essentials like warm clothing, food, water, and a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.
Interestingly, while Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day are expected to be the quietest days on the roads, the AA will still have patrols available nationwide. In fact, last year they came to the aid of 2,400 members on Christmas Day alone. As for train travel, there are several strikes planned for December 2024. London Liverpool Street station will be closed from Christmas Day until January 2, and London Paddington will not have any trains running between Friday, December 27 and Sunday, December 29. There will also be disruptions in the Cambridge area between Friday, December 27 and Sunday, January 5, affecting various train services.
And let's not forget about the airports. With the holiday season being the busiest time of year for travel, it's no surprise that Heathrow Airport is bracing for a record-breaking Christmas. They predict that the number of passengers traveling through their terminals on December 25 will be 21% higher than last year. In fact, they anticipate that the total number of passengers for the entire month of December will exceed their previous record of 6.7 million set back in 2023. This comes after the airport confirmed that they served 6.5 million passengers last month.
So, whether you're hitting the road, catching a train, or flying to your destination, it's important to be aware of the potential for increased traffic and delays this Christmas. While it may be a hassle, with some preparation and patience, we can all make it through this busy time of year.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
