Christmas Travel Disrupted by Traffic Gridlock, Train Delays, and Weather Challenges

Millions of travelers face widespread delays on roads, railways, and at airports as the holiday rush coincides with engineering works, accidents, and adverse weather.

• The RAC predicts Christmas Eve to be the busiest travel day for motorists, with peak traffic expected between 10am and 4pm on major motorways like the M40 and M25.
• An overturned lorry has caused the closure of the M40 southbound in Oxfordshire, leading to significant delays and requiring extensive recovery and safety barrier repairs.
• Rail services are shutting down early today, with the last intercity trains departing in the late afternoon; engineering works and equipment issues are causing additional disruptions across the network.
• Adverse weather, including winds up to 75mph, has led to flight cancellations, delays, and temporary air traffic restrictions at major airports like Heathrow and Belfast City Airport.
• Ferry services on key routes, including Holyhead-Dublin, remain suspended due to storm damage, while Eurotunnel and limited Boxing Day rail services are available as alternatives.

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