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23 December 2010
Last updated at 05:08 ET
Millions of motorists are taking to the roads for the festive getaway as the big freeze continues to make driving conditions "treacherous".
Thursday is likely to be one of the busiest traffic days of the year for shoppers and Christmas travellers.
Sub-zero temperatures are predicted and up to 10cm (4ins) of snow is expected in Northumberland and eastern Scotland.
The Highways Agency has suspended 64 miles of roadworks between Christmas Eve and 4 January 2011.
In other developments:
AA president Edmund King said drivers must remember to top up anti-freeze, put de-icer in their windscreen washers and drive on a full tank of petrol.
Continue reading the main story
Winter weather has disrupted travel
He said the roads would be very busy with Christmas shoppers as well as those travelling to visit relatives.
He said: "The roads in many parts of the country are treacherous. Conditions are not great because of the sub-zero temperatures so try not to brake too harshly and where possible stick to motorways and trunk roads.
"The day the majority of people stay at home is Christmas Day. Some 60% say they won't venture out at all. If people really are worried and get stuck in the traffic, maybe early in the morning on the 25th might be the time to travel."
Christmas shopping
Some experts suggest Thursday will be the busiest day of the year for shopping centres.
The Met Office predicts another cold day across the UK on Thursday, feeling particularly bitter across southern parts and with further snow showers likely in northern and eastern areas.
Snow has been lying for four weeks in parts of Scotland and north of England, causing delivery problems in those areas in particular.
People planning to use the trains to make their Christmas getaway are being warned to expect delays and cancellations because of problems caused by bad weather.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said up to a quarter of services would not be running on some routes on Thursday, but spokesman Edward Welsh said the cancellations were intended to help passengers.
He said the reduced timetable meant those remaining services should run more reliably.
On the nation's roads, 142 sets of roadworks are due to be completed by the Highways Agency ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday traffic.
A further 34 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions are due to be removed by 0600 GMT on Friday and will not be put back before 0001 GMT on Tuesday 4 January.
Rush hour Roads minister, Mike Penning, said: "Completing or lifting roadworks on the motorways and other major roads managed by the Highways Agency will help everyone planning to drive over the festive season.
"More than 98% of the strategic road network will be clear of roadworks, so more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted."
Darron Burness, head of AA special operations, said Thursday would see an expected peak on the roads with traffic "building from lunchtime with an extended evening rush hour".
Heavy snow at the RAF's UK base, Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, means not as many troops as usual have been able to leave Afghanistan to return home for Christmas.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville said some have been delayed for days either in Helmand, or in the Middle East.
The RAF says it is working with commercial airlines to clear the backlog and is confident that those with scheduled leave will return in time to spend Christmas with their families.
Are you planning on using the roads today? Have your travel plans been disrupted? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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Thursday is likely to be one of the busiest traffic days of the year for shoppers and Christmas travellers.
Sub-zero temperatures are predicted and up to 10cm (4ins) of snow is expected in Northumberland and eastern Scotland.
The Highways Agency has suspended 64 miles of roadworks between Christmas Eve and 4 January 2011.
In other developments:
- Flights at Gatwick and London City are said to be "back to normal" after days of delays and cancellations
- Heathrow is expecting to operate 1,206 flights, almost a full schedule
- Some councils are concerned over supplies of road grit. With just 12,000 tonnes left in reserve across Wales, councils want Welsh ministers to ask the UK government to release some of the quantity stockpiled for English authorities
- Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Somerset councils have also asked for extra supplies of salt
- NHS Warwickshire is appealing for drivers of 4x4 vehicles to spare a few hours over the next 10 days to drive nurses to patients in snow-hit areas
- Some London to Leeds services on the East Coast main line have been cancelled
- Some First Great Western London to Cardiff services are not running
- ScotRail is running a reduced service and First Capital Connect has an amended timetable for its London suburban services
- Northern Rail has cancelled 30 trains. National Rail has more details of service reductions and cancellations on its website
- Industrial action scheduled for Thursday on London Midland trains has been cancelled
AA president Edmund King said drivers must remember to top up anti-freeze, put de-icer in their windscreen washers and drive on a full tank of petrol.
Continue reading the main story
Winter weather has disrupted travelHe said the roads would be very busy with Christmas shoppers as well as those travelling to visit relatives.
He said: "The roads in many parts of the country are treacherous. Conditions are not great because of the sub-zero temperatures so try not to brake too harshly and where possible stick to motorways and trunk roads.
"The day the majority of people stay at home is Christmas Day. Some 60% say they won't venture out at all. If people really are worried and get stuck in the traffic, maybe early in the morning on the 25th might be the time to travel."
Christmas shopping
Some experts suggest Thursday will be the busiest day of the year for shopping centres.
The Met Office predicts another cold day across the UK on Thursday, feeling particularly bitter across southern parts and with further snow showers likely in northern and eastern areas.
Snow has been lying for four weeks in parts of Scotland and north of England, causing delivery problems in those areas in particular.
People planning to use the trains to make their Christmas getaway are being warned to expect delays and cancellations because of problems caused by bad weather.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said up to a quarter of services would not be running on some routes on Thursday, but spokesman Edward Welsh said the cancellations were intended to help passengers.
He said the reduced timetable meant those remaining services should run more reliably.
On the nation's roads, 142 sets of roadworks are due to be completed by the Highways Agency ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday traffic.
A further 34 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions are due to be removed by 0600 GMT on Friday and will not be put back before 0001 GMT on Tuesday 4 January.
Rush hour Roads minister, Mike Penning, said: "Completing or lifting roadworks on the motorways and other major roads managed by the Highways Agency will help everyone planning to drive over the festive season.
"More than 98% of the strategic road network will be clear of roadworks, so more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted."
Darron Burness, head of AA special operations, said Thursday would see an expected peak on the roads with traffic "building from lunchtime with an extended evening rush hour".
Heavy snow at the RAF's UK base, Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, means not as many troops as usual have been able to leave Afghanistan to return home for Christmas.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville said some have been delayed for days either in Helmand, or in the Middle East.
The RAF says it is working with commercial airlines to clear the backlog and is confident that those with scheduled leave will return in time to spend Christmas with their families.
Are you planning on using the roads today? Have your travel plans been disrupted? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered by WizardRSS | Work At Home Jobs