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UK Christmas Eve Travel Hit by Rail Staff Shortages and Record Road Traffic

Peak-hour pressure grows, driven by a planned M27 closure alongside ongoing rail recovery.

Overview

  • Great Western Railway warned that a shortage of train crew is disrupting services between Reading and Gatwick Airport, with problems expected until 17:00.
  • Southeastern said a person was struck late last night on the Canterbury East line; the route has reopened but morning cancellations and revisions persisted.
  • The RAC expects the busiest festive road period since Covid, projecting 37.5 million trips this week and urging drivers to avoid major routes between 1pm and 7pm today.
  • The AA estimated more than 22 million cars on the roads on Christmas Eve, advising motorists to prepare vehicles and plan around peak congestion.
  • National Highways scheduled a full M27 closure between Junctions 9 and 11 from 20:00 tonight until 04:00 on January 4, with a signed A27 diversion and likely delays.