British motorists are bracing for another day of severe disruption as a staggering 24 million cars are predicted to clog the nation's highways today, marking the highest volume since the infamous 'Frantic Friday'. The AA has issued a stark warning that the combination of festive journeys home, regular commuter traffic, and business travel will lead to substantial delays across the road network.
Weather Woes Compound Travel Misery
To add to the travel misery, the Met Office has forecast heavy rain for parts of Britain throughout the coming week. This follows a weekend of challenging conditions, including mist on the shortest day of the year. Currently, 15 flood warnings are in place with dozens more alerts, prompting authorities to urge drivers to find alternative routes if they encounter flooded roads and to consider delaying trips until heavy downpours clear.
The chaos comes after a record number of vehicles headed home on Friday, creating gridlock on major routes, overwhelming airports, and compounding existing rail disruptions. While overall traffic may be slightly lighter due to fewer commuters, the sheer volume of leisure travel is set to dominate.
Peak Traffic and Last-Minute Rush
Traffic is expected to reach its zenith on Christmas Eve, with the RAC forecasting 4.2 million separate journeys, making it the single busiest day for festive getaways. A significant number of drivers are also planning trips between Monday and Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping and final family visits.
AA patrol expert Shaun Jones advised: "With so many sleighs on the tarmac, patience is the best present you can give yourself. Pack essentials, keep your fuel tank or EV charge topped up, and don't let congestion steal your Christmas sparkle." He also recommended starting parked cars every couple of days over the holiday to ensure they are ready for January.
Nationwide Disruption Across All Transport
The road chaos is mirrored across other transport networks. UK airports are anticipating their busiest Christmas getaway in history, with Heathrow alone preparing for over seven million passengers this month. Abta estimates more than five million people will travel abroad between Friday and January 4th.
Rail passengers also face significant disruption due to planned engineering works. Key projects will affect the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston from December 27th, and services between Scotland and north-west England in the New Year. London Waterloo will be closed for several days after Christmas, and there will be no trains across the entire network on Christmas Day itself.
In a small relief for drivers, National Highways has confirmed it will suspend over 90% of roadworks on England's motorways and major A-roads from Sunday until January 2nd. A spokesperson stated that while some essential work must continue, teams would work "around the clock to keep the country moving."
With congestion hotspots expected in cities like Edinburgh, London, and Manchester, and with wet weather complicating journeys, the advice from all experts is unanimous: plan ahead, allow plenty of extra time, and exercise caution on the roads.
