Christmas road rush begins

Drivers are warned that Britain's roads will swell today and tomorrow, as Christmas travellers hit the tarmac in their droves for the holidays.

BBC News reports that the AA expects there to be around 18 million cars taking to the roads over the Christmas getaway. Journey times could double, it said and buses will replace trains in some areas.

Airport owner BAA meanwhile offered another warning; one which may be particularly of use to international arrivals who have arranged prestige car hire. Heathrow Airport is expecting around 205,000 people coming in and out of the airport over today and tomorrow.

On a normal day, the world's third-busiest airport would expect less than that, at just 180,000 passengers.

The busiest roads for motorists are predicted to be the M1 in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire; as well as the M25 around London. The M6 in the West Midlands, the M4 between London and Newbury are to be avoided too; in addition to the West Country M4/M5.

The Highways Agency has offered motorists some light relief this Christmas however. It has decided to suspend 60 miles of roadworks until January 3rd next year. According to Mail Online, the national roads agency managed to complete more than 500 miles of roadworks prior to the onset of Christmas with motorists in mind.