Yahoo News Christmas traffic: Which roads and dates will see worst festive congestion?
Christmas congestion is set to arrive early this year, the AA has warned, as the big day is preceded by a weekend.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, unless you find yourself stuck in traffic for hours.
Unfortunately, that is the fate awaiting millions of Britons in the run-up to this Christmas, according to The AA.
The motoring association has warned that the festive rush will start earlier this year, as Christmas falls on a Monday.
Yahoo News UK examines which roads and which days will be the busiest with cars during the upcoming Christmas getaway.
Which days will be the worst for Christmas traffic?
The AA has predicted that the getaway traffic will spike earlier than normal this year, as a result of Christmas Day falling on a Monday.
This means the busiest travel days are expected to be Friday 22 December and Saturday 23 December, as Britons journey to spend the holidays with friends and relatives.
Usually, Christmas Eve is the main day for getaway journeys, but this year many people are taking advantage of a weekend immediately preceding Christmas Day to make trips.
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How many car journeys will take place?
The AA estimates that 16.1 million car journeys will take place on 22 December and another 16.4 million on 23 December, making Saturday the busiest day to travel.
Its estimates are based on a survey conducted by research company Yonder between 13 and 21 November of more than 12,000 AA members who were asked about their travel plans.
The AA has issued an “amber traffic warning” for 22 and 23 December as it warned of “lengthy jams”.
Which roads will be the worst for Christmas travel?
The M25 around Greater London, the M5 between Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare and the M6 around Birmingham were identified as motorway stretches where bumper-to-bumper conditions are likely, The AA said.
Other potential Christmas getaway hotspots include stretches of the M1 from Luton northwards, the M62 and M60 in the North West and the M4 which connects London with South Wales.
The AA said New Year's Day will be the quietest day on the UK's roads over the festive period.
What should drivers do to avoid the traffic?
According to The AA, motorists should check for alternative routes before setting off, just in case there is a quicker way to get to their Christmas destination.
Drivers should also monitor local radio stations for traffic updates and different routes available, while their sat nav may also offer alternative roads.
The AA said drivers should make sure they eat before the journey or bring some snacks, as they could be stuck in traffic for several hours.
They should also cheek their car's fuel or charge level before setting off on their Christmas journey.
What has The AA said?
The AA president Edmund King urged drivers to pack essentials such as water, high-protein food or chocolate, warm clothes and a hi-vis jacket in case they get stranded.
To avoid the chances of a breakdown, he recommended people carry out vehicle checks before setting off, such as on tyres, fuel, oil, coolant and screen wash.
“While Friday 22 December and Saturday 23 December look set to be the busiest travelling days, the unsettled weather forecast could lead to additional delays so drivers should drive to the conditions and slow down where necessary," he said.
“New Year’s Day will be the quietest day on the roads which is probably a good thing especially if drivers have been partying the previous evening.
“Drivers can still be breathalysed and lose their licence for driving over the limit the morning after.”
Will there be train strikes over Christmas 2023?
There is no planned rail strike action this Christmas.
However, rail services will be severely disrupted over the festive period because of Network Rail carrying out engineering work.
London Paddington will be closed between Christmas Eve and Wednesday 27 December, meaning no mainline trains will serve Heathrow Airport during that period.
Long-distance services will start and end at Reading, with connecting trains to and from Ealing Broadway or London Waterloo.
London King’s Cross will be closed on Christmas Eve.
Southeastern services that usually operate to or from London Victoria will be diverted to Blackfriars, Charing Cross and Cannon Street between 23 December and New Year’s Day.
An engineering project near Southampton will see some disruption to services, as will work to build the new Cambridge South station.
No trains will operate on Christmas Day, with a very limited service running on Boxing Day.
