Travel expert Simon Calder has warned of “painful” disruption to festive journeys for Britons, as major train stations and airports are reducing and cancelling services over the next few weeks.
Thousands of Christmas travellers face significant disruption across the UK’s transport network as severe congestion hits major motorways and flights continue to face cancellations.
National Highways has reported severe congestion on multiple roads, including the M6, M5 and M25.
The chaos follows a weekend that saw more than 100 flights cancelled at Heathrow Airport alone, while dozens of ferry routes in Scotland and Ireland were suspended due to adverse weather conditions.
Travel chaos is expected across the country as Britons make their festive journeys
PA
Snow has caused particular problems on the M62, with one lane closed as holidaymakers attempt to reach their destinations.
The disruption comes as Calder informed GB News of his assessments of major transport hubs, reporting varying levels of service across the country’s rail network.
Speaking to host Martin Daubney, Calder warned passengers about crucial timing considerations for Christmas Eve rail travel, with services beginning to wind down rapidly.
“The final southbound departure from Edinburgh to London is going to be in less than an hour – same from Leeds to Bristol Temple Meads,” Calder told GB News.
Train and plane travel is expected to see ‘painful disruptions’ over the Christmas period
PA
He cautioned that most trains will be in their depots by mid-evening, with limited exceptions.
Paddington station faces additional disruption, as it will remain closed beyond the usual Christmas break due to HS2 works.
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“There won’t be any direct trains from London Paddington to the west of England and to South Wales,” Calder explained, noting that alternative services will run from London Euston, though these will be fewer and slower.
London Waterloo is reported as busy but managing operations effectively.
Airports across the UK are showing signs of recovery from weekend disruption, though new challenges have emerged. A significant issue arose when American Airlines implemented a worldwide ground stop at 11.50am, lasting an hour.
“The planes, which were kept on the ground, had all the necessary air traffic control clearances,” Calder reported, noting the incident particularly affected Heathrow operations.
Simon Calder told GB News there is ‘no time to dawdle’ as festive train services wind down
GB News
The Met Office forecasts conditions will improve this week following the widespread disruption caused by what it termed a “perfect storm” of adverse weather and road congestion.
Channel Islands travel has been severely impacted by fog, with multiple flights from Manchester and Gatwick forced to return after failed landing attempts at Jersey. British Airways has responded by adding an extra evening service from Gatwick to Jersey.
Most major airports including Manchester, Edinburgh, Luton, Stansted, and Gatwick are now operating smoothly, according to Calder’s assessment.
However, Calder stressed: “It’s that time of year. We are so invested in our travels financially as well as emotionally that every bit of disruption is very painful.”