Severe fog and ongoing engineering works are causing significant travel disruptions across the UK, impacting both air and rail networks. Airports are struggling to return to normal schedules following the Christmas period, while major rail stations in London are closed, further compounding travel woes.
The UK's busiest airports, including Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester, are experiencing delays and cancellations due to poor visibility caused by thick fog. Gatwick Airport has implemented temporary air traffic restrictions, leading to flight delays throughout the day. Airlines are working to accommodate affected passengers, but with heavy bookings, alternative travel options are limited.
Adding to the travel challenges, two of London's primary railway stations, Liverpool Street and Paddington, are closed on Saturday for scheduled engineering work. This closure is causing widespread disruptions for commuters and travelers, particularly as rail networks see increased traffic after the holidays.
Further rail network issues include an electricity supply failure on the West Coast Main Line, affecting trains between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central. National Rail has advised passengers of potential delays of up to 40 minutes, with disruptions expected to last until at least midday. Additionally, services between Glasgow and Motherwell on the same line are also facing issues, with Avanti West Coast advising against travel north of Preston before 10 AM.
The widespread disruptions follow Friday's flight chaos where an estimated 20,000 passengers experienced cancellations, with Gatwick being the most affected. Airlines are obligated to provide alternative flights and accommodations for affected passengers; however, demand remains exceptionally high. As the day continues, further updates are expected as travel operators work to alleviate the ongoing disruptions.
