The UK's festive travel period is set for significant disruption, with an estimated 15 million car journeys planned for the final weekend before Christmas and major airports bracing for severe delays.
Road Network Braces for Festive Gridlock
Analysis from the RAC and transport analytics firm Inrix indicates that Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December will be the busiest days on the roads. Drivers are being warned to expect journeys to take up to twice as long as usual on key corridors. The most severe congestion is predicted on the M25, the M5 between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, and the M6 around Birmingham.
"With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, many people will be looking to get away in the days immediately beforehand," said an RAC spokesperson. The advice for motorists is to travel very early in the morning or much later in the evening to avoid the worst of the queues.
Airports Face Staffing Shortages and Long Queues
Air travel is also facing a turbulent period. Heathrow Airport has warned passengers that security queues could exceed 60 minutes due to a combination of high demand and ongoing staff shortages. Travellers are being urged to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight.
Similarly, Gatwick Airport has advised customers to allow extra time, citing potential queues at check-in, bag drop, and security. The airport expects its busiest day to be Friday 20th December. These issues are compounded by potential strike action from border force staff, which could cause further delays at passport control.
Rail Strikes Add to Travel Misery
The national rail network will not provide respite. Industrial action by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union is scheduled, impacting services on several key dates:
- Saturday 21st December
- Sunday 22nd December
- Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
This strike action will cause widespread cancellations and reduced services, forcing more people onto the roads and exacerbating the predicted traffic congestion. Passengers are strongly advised to check the status of their journey with their train operator before setting out.
The convergence of factors—millions of car journeys, airport staffing challenges, and rail strikes—creates a perfect storm for festive travel disruption. Authorities are urging all those planning to travel over the Christmas period to plan meticulously, check updates regularly, and allow substantially more time for their journeys.
