United kingdom Daily news: Jubilee Bank Holiday travel update: Briton puts on extra trains and cancels improvement works

Rabu, 30 Mei 2012

Jubilee Bank Holiday travel update: Briton puts on extra trains and cancels improvement works

Jubilee Bank Holiday travel update: Briton puts on extra trains and cancels improvement works

By Travelmail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 06:28 EST, 30 May 2012 | UPDATED: 06:48 EST, 30 May 2012

The countdown to the great British Bank Holiday getaway has begun, with millions of people set to be on the move - either heading to London for the Jubilee festivities or making the most of the holiday to get away.

Heathrow Airport expects to handle 2.9 million passengers in the next two weeks, with 780,000 overseas travellers due to arrive at the west London airport between today and bank holiday Tuesday.

And UK travel organisation ABTA has predicted that as many as many six million Britons will be taking advantage of the four-day weekend with a holiday abroad or in the UK over the period June 2-5.

London buses amongst Union Jack flags ready for the Queen's Jubilee

Bank holiday getaway: Many Britons will be heading to London of the Jubilee celebrations

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will not be without their travel restrictions, but across the country, railways and roads are reducing their planned improvement works as much as possible.

Although the Highways Agency has suspended roadworks on some English motorways and A roads, some restrictions will stay in place for safety reasons.

Unlike most weekends, London Underground will be running near normal services over the bank holiday weekend, with only the Waterloo City line not operating and with part-suspensions on the London Overground line.

Many main line train companies that run services to and from London will be providing additional trains or carriages at times to cope with those visiting the capital for Jubilee events.

The rail industry said the vast majority of passengers travelling over the bank holiday weekend would experience no disruption because of engineering work.

But buses will replace trains on some routes. One service affected is the Stansted Express which takes passengers between Liverpool Street station at Stansted Airport in Essex.

There will be a reduced service on this route from Saturday until bank holiday Tuesday.

Royal runway: Heathrow - which is expecting 2.9 million passengers in the next two weeks, has painted a Union Jack with the Queen's profile by its North runway

At Heathrow, red carpets are being laid in arrivals halls and Jubilee and Union flags will be handed to passengers as the airport marks the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

Around four million people plan to holiday in the UK over the weekend, according to ABTA, with another two million going abroad.

Frank Pullman, head of Thomas Cook Airlines UK Ireland said: 'Our staff and crew at UK airports are all set for a busy weekend as many take advantage of the extra days off and school holidays to head off on holiday.

'Over the four days we have 332 flights taking more than 63,000 holidaymakers to 45 destinations worldwide and advise those travelling to get to the airport early to ensure we can get everyone away on time for their well deserved break.

'Popular destinations include those in the eurozone such as Spain, Canaries and Greece where thanks to the strong pound against the euro, holidaymakers will find their spending money will go that bit further.'Â

The Highways Agency said around 275 miles of roadworks will be completed before the weekend and a further 43 miles of works would be lifted from 6am on Friday to midnight on Tuesday.

Among works still in place will be those on the M1 between junctions 10 and 13 in the Luton area of Bedfordshire.

The AA and traffic information company Trafficmaster said the main getaway is likely to be on Friday afternoon and on Saturday.

Busy spots are likely to include the A303 from the M3 through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset; the M5 in the West Country and the M6 through Staffordshire and Cheshire into Lancashire.

AA patrolman of the year Andy Smith said: 'Our research shows that many people will be staying closer to home to celebrate the Jubilee, so most traffic congestion is going to be quite localised.

'However, the main 'getaway' routes will still be very busy this Friday and Saturday, so if you are heading off, allow extra time for your journey or avoid the peak period.'

The survey also showed that 14 per cent said a road near them was being closed for a street party or a similar Jubilee event.

Among Londoners, this figure rose to 20 per cent, but only 3 per cent of Scots said there would be road closures in their area.