Christmas traffic chaos expected with millions hitting roads amid 80mph winds
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Roads are closed, flights are grounded and ferries have been cancelled as winds batter the UK at up to 80mph. Saturday is one of the busiest days of the Christmas period, with the M25, M4 and M5 highlighted as ‘crunch points’ for delays. But the wind has been so strong, both the M48 Severn Bridge and the A66 from Cumbria to North Yorkshire were forced to close to all vehicles, while the A15 Humber Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles.
![[?? Licensed to London News Pictures. 21/12/2024. Leeds UK. A Aer Lingus aircraft is blown sideways in the 57mph wind gusts as it departs Leeds Bradford airport in Yorkshire this morning. Photo credit: Andrew McCaren/LNP]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233912378-9e2e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Heathrow Airport said ‘a small number of flights’ were cancelled due to ‘strong winds and airspace restrictions’. At least 26 have been cancelled 139 have been delayed by an average of 29 minutes, according to analytics website FlightAware. One Air Lingus flight was seen landing sideways at Leeds Bradford Airport as it struggled with the wind.
![[Incident Location The M6 northbound between junctions J17 and J18 Reason Road traffic collision Status Currently Active Time To Clear The event is expected to clear between 13:45 and 14:00 on 21 December 2024 Return To Normal Normal traffic conditions are expected between 13:45 and 14:00 on 21 December 2024 Delay There are currently delays of 40 minutes against expected traffic Lanes Closed]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233917577-f891.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
P&O Ferries said it’s suspended its Larne-Cairnryan crossing for at least 24 hours. Some disruption to rail and bus services has been experienced or predicted in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England where the Met Office has issued yellow wind warnings.
Our live blog coverage has now ended for the day. Thanks for reading!. Bakerloo line: Severe delays between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone and minor delays on the rest of the line because of signalling problem at Kensal Green. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses. Good service on the rest of the line.
