Brits are heading off for trips around the country this Christmas with travel chaos expected on the roads – you can check here whether there will be bus and train services in your area
Christmas is expected to bring travel chaos to the UK, with tens of thousands of people planning to turn to buses and trains for salvation ahead of expected widespread gridlock on the roads.
As most people spend December 25 with their families, many, especially those living in big cities, will likely find themselves needing to catch public transport to travel between their loved-ones’ homes. Buses and trains would usually be key, especially when Brits have been left cash-strapped by the present-buying frenzy, timetables permitting.
But, as with previous years, the transport system will operate with reduced personnel as workers are granted the day off to celebrate alongside everyone else. Timetables show that, in most cases, there won’t be any public transport at all at some points throughout the festive period.
Transport arrangements will vary across the country, but they share a common thread, with train and bus services limited around Christmas. For trains it there are none available on Christmas Day and timetables from authorities across the UK show that most Christmas Eve services will conclude by 6pm on December 24.
For buses there is a severely reduced service on Christmas Day for most operators but National Express is running services across the country.
Those who can’t take public transport will also experience trouble if they spring for their cars instead, with the RAC predicting that up to 3.8 million people will take to the roads on Christmas Eve, followed by 3.5 million on Christmas Day, with 4.4 million travelling on Boxing Day.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Our research suggests that with Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, many drivers will be squeezing in their getaway trips right up until the big day itself. While the getaway starts to ramp up from Friday, ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ looks particularly challenging as does Christmas Eve.
“Travelling outside peak hours might be the only way drivers miss the worst of the jams. Planned rail strikes are also likely to add to the misery. There’s also no sign of traffic letting up throughout the Christmas period especially as there are major rail engineering works taking place on routes into London and Cheshire.
“It’s well worth drivers being aware of these and the knock-on effect they’ll have on the roads as the affected lines serve larger areas across the South West, South East and North West.
Find out if your train will be running here
