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Christmas travel has already been thrown into disarray for thousands of passengers flying over the festive period, while ferry and rail closures are also causing problems.
Many passengers planning to fly from London Stansted Airport on Thursday, 19 December had their plans hampered after the first 17 departures of the airport express train were cancelled.
In the early hours of the morning, thieves stole signalling and power cables from the Stansted Express rail line in Hertfordshire, causing major disruption and delays to trains later in the day.
Other travellers have encountered issues with ferry services. The service between Holyhead and Dublin, the main ferry link between Britain and Ireland, will remain suspended over Christmas and into the new year after Holyhead’s port suffered damage during Storm Darragh. This has caused soaring air fares to Dublin.
Yellow weather alert warnings are also expected over the weekend, with strong winds hitting much of the UK’s north, likely causing delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
Main ferry link between Ireland and Britain suspended over Christmas period
The main ferry link between Great Britain and Ireland, from Holyhead to Dublin, will remain suspended throughout the festive season and into the new year.
The closure began on 8 December after the port of Holyhead suffered damage during Storm Darragh.
The weeks-long shutdown of the link between Holyhead and Dublin will wreck the plans of tens of thousands of Christmas travellers hoping to cross the Irish Sea by ferry, as well as disrupting the supply chain of goods across the Irish Sea.
A spokesperson for Holyhead Port said: “We understand the closure of the ferry terminals has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers. We are sorry for the disruption this has caused. The safety of our colleagues and customers is our first priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so.”
Normally Stena Line and Irish Ferries have four daily ferries each way between the Anglesey and the Irish capital. Hundreds of motorists and foot passengers use the link each day.
Air fares from the UK to Dublin have soared, with Ryanair’s hour-long hop from London Gatwick to the Irish capital currently selling at £501 for the 5.45pm departure on Friday 20 December.
Simon Calder19 December 2024 15:00
Christmas travel begins in chaos as Stansted Express shuts down due to cable theft
The great Christmas getaway descended into chaos for thousands of passengers hoping to fly from London Stansted airport on Thursday.
In the early hours, thieves stole signalling and power cables from the Stansted Express rail line in Hertfordshire. The tracks were closed to trains.
While Network Rail engineers worked to repair the damage, the first 17 departures of the airport express train were cancelled.
Stansted airport is expecting around 40,000 departing passengers on Thursday, of whom about a quarter would plan to use the train.
Network Rail says: “Cable theft costs us millions of pounds each year. The total cost to the economy – taking into account the impact of freight delays to power stations and supermarkets, and on passengers who miss appointments or have their day ruined – is even higher.”
A spokesperson for Ryanair, Stansted’s biggest airline, said: “It is each passenger’s responsibility to ensure they present at the boarding gate on time for their flight.” If not: “They can pay a Missed Departure Fee [£100] to move onto the next available flight.”
Travel insurance may cover extra costs.
Passengers travelling between London and Gatwick airport also encountered problems on Thursday morning due to what National Rail called “a fault with the signalling system”.
All southbound trains to the Sussex airport until around 9.30am were delayed.
Simon Calder19 December 2024 14:30