UK traffic latest as millions warned of chaos on M25, delays at Dover and trains
Travellers hoping for a Christmas getaway are facing chaos as pictures show huge queues of cars at the Port of Dover.
The AA has warned of "lengthy jams" as an estimated 16.4 million car journeys are set to take place on Saturday amid a backdrop of widespread travel disruption.
The Port of Dover has reported wait times of 90 minutes at border control due to a surge in demand for ferries. It comes after the Channel Tunnel rail link was closed on Thursday because of unexpected industrial action by French workers, disrupting travel plans for thousands.
Port of Dover Travel posted on social media: "There is currently a 90-minute wait time ahead of French border controls as we help passengers get away for Christmas. Please check with your chosen ferry operator for further travel updates."
P&O Ferries has apologised for the delays, telling customers: "Please accept our sincere apologies for the waiting time you are currently experiencing." They assured travellers that they are working hard to improve the situation and that everyone will be accommodated on the next available sailing once they get through.
Met Office says UK will be battered by monster rain storm with 4 inches falling
Road congestion likely peaked on Friday afternoon, as leisure drivers competed for road space with commuters and business traffic. The RAC has advised drivers to hit the road before 11am or after 6pm to avoid getting stuck in big traffic jams. Eurostar is now running two extra trains a day between London and Paris until Christmas Eve, including people whose Thursday trains got cancelled.
Traffic queues for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent on Saturday (PA)
Weather warning for December 23 (Met Office)Passengers can currently only use the vehicle-transporting train service Eurotunnel if they've booked ahead. On UK railways, high winds continue to cause disruption following Storm Pia on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, the Elizabeth line saw long delays between London Paddington, Reading, and Heathrow Airport due to two faulty trains. There were also train problems between Mansfield and Worksop, as well as between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley, because of damaged overhead power lines in Birmingham's Aston region.
On Christmas Eve, London King's Cross will be shut for engineering work, extending the holiday train disruption. London Paddington remains closed until Wednesday, meaning no mainline trains are heading to Heathrow Airport. Shadow transport minister Louise Haigh said infrastructure has been "totally underinvested in", causing "record delays and cancellations".
Speaking to Times Radio, she said that anyone who has tried to catch a train in the last couple of years will "almost certainly" have experienced delays and cancellations due to poor service. She blamed this on the Government's acceptance of the status quo and their "presided over the managed decline of our railways and has been totally prepared to accept status quo".
Shadow transport minister Louise Haigh said the infrastructure has been "totally underinvested in", causing "record delays and cancellations". She told Times Radio on Saturday that anyone who has tried to catch a train in the last couple of years will "almost certainly" have experienced delays, cancellations and poor service because the Government has "presided over the managed decline of our railways and has been totally prepared to accept status quo".
Ms Haigh said the Labour Party has set out plans to reform railways to bring them into public ownership and "to bring decisions around infrastructure and the operations of the railways together". She added: "The infrastructure has been totally underinvested in. And as a result, we are seeing these record delays and cancellations. And people will be experiencing that themselves as they attempt to travel home today and tomorrow for Christmas."
The Met Office has warned there could be more weather-related issues in parts of the UK this weekend. Gusts as high as 70mph are due to hit the north of Scotland and northern and central areas of England on Christmas Eve and two separate yellow wind warnings have been issued, meaning people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers.
A yellow warning for rain covers much of Wales, with forecasters warning that flooding and travel disruption is possible. Network Rail warned severe weather is likely to impact some ScotRail routes on Saturday.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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