Christmas getaway delays as snow hits M62 and trains, ferries and flights cancelled – Live travel news

Belfast City Airport was forced to implement emergency procedures on Sunday after a plane’s wheel collapsed on landing in adverse weather conditions. There were no reported injuries.

There were four crew members and no passengers on board the Emerald Airlines flight when the hard landing occurred at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon as winds of up to 82mph battered parts of the UK.

The incident led to the runway being closed for the rest of the day, after what the airport said was its busiest day of the year so far on Friday, with several flights diverted to Belfast International Airport on Sunday evening.

It came as weather warnings were in place across the UK, except for eastern parts of England, causing ferries, trains and flights that will be cancelled in a hit for travelers traveling to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

Travel chaos is expected across the UK as the Christmas break begins.

It comes as weather warnings go into effect across parts of the UK, with roads and public transport set to be disrupted by high winds as the Met Office forecast a wet and windy weekend for many.

But one predictable issue that always arises during the festive season is train delays, changes and the complete closure of the entire rail network on Christmas Day.

That’s because it’s the one day of the year when engineering works take place, giving Network Rail and rail companies the chance to do some of the heavy lifting when many across the UK are spending the day with loved ones.

Conditions are expected to improve this week after bad weather caused disruption over the Christmas period.

The The Met Office has forecast a “grey Christmas” with some sunny spells and “extremely mild” temperatures.

It comes after a “perfect storm” of bad weather and road congestion led to widespread disruption over the Christmas break.

The Met Office issued yellow wind warnings which remained in place until 9pm on Sunday.

Warnings were in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelandand in England warnings covered the north-east, North West, South West and the West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire.

People were transported to Ireland via alternative routes following the temporary closure Holyhead port in an effort to bring people home for Christmas, a Welsh said the cabinet secretary.

Busy ferry port Anglesey, North Waleshas been forced to close after damage during Storm Darragh and is not due to reopen until January 15 at the earliest.

All ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead are currently cancelled, throwing the travel plans of thousands into question over the festive season.

But alternative sailings to Ireland are taking place this weekend amid strong winds and challenging conditions.

Gusts of up to 75mph are forecast for parts of the UK on Sunday, with wind warnings in place across Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelandand large parts of England.

Showers confined to the far eastern coasts and winds will slowly ease. Clear spells mostly develop overnight, but clouds increase in the west towards dawn. Feeling cold overnight with a touch of frost in some susceptible places.

Dry and nice in the east with extended sunny spells, although cold. Outbreaks of rain and large low clouds spreading to western areas becoming mild.

Mostly moderate, mild and cloudy for the Christmas period. Best chance of brighter spells east of the high ground. Wetter and windier across NW Scotland.

The British hope for white Christmas will be deeply disappointed by the mild and gray December 25, prognosticators predicted.

However, according to forecasters, the day is likely to be mild, cloudy and dry with light winds across most of the UK.

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The Met Office recorded winds of up to 82mph in Kirkwall as a yellow weather warning remains in place.

Other high records include the South Uist Range also at 82mph and St Bees Head which reached 76mph.

The windy weather caused travel disruption for people living on the Scottish islands, as ferries and flights were cancelled.

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place until 9pm on Sunday, covering the whole of Scotland as well as areas south of the border.

Several Loganair flights from Glasgow Airport to the Hebrides were canceled and 18 CalMac ferry services were also cancelled.

Gusts of 82mph were recorded in Kirkwall on Orkney and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides – the UK’s strongest winds since 2.30pm on Sunday, the Met Office said.

CalMac cited “strong winds with gusts of up to 60mph” as the reason it canceled all sailings on the Troon-Brodick route, connecting Ayrshire to the Isle of Arran.

The ferry operator has promised to review cancellations on the Oban to Craignure route, which links Argyll and Bute to the Isle of Mull, with the possibility that the 7.20pm sailing could depart on Sunday.

Amber alerts for traffic jamlooming strikes and traditional rail engineering works disrupting major rail links: it’s starting to look like Christmas.

This winter’s holiday season will be busier than ever, with record numbers of travelers expected in London Heathrow and many other airports, as well as at British ones highways.

These are the key points and potential pitfalls – to help you plan to avoid disruption, or at least be prepared for the crowds and chaos.

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