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Guide to Christmas travel in Kent, including train services and traffic on roads

Thousands of travellers are expected to flock to railway stations, motorways and ports as the big Christmas getaway begins.

Dubbed 'Frantic Friday', it is due to be the busiest day for journeys as people escape for the holidays - bringing potential gridlock and delays.

Here is everything you need to know about travelling in and out of Kent over the festive period.

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The big Christmas getaway has begun. Picture: RAC.
The big Christmas getaway has begun. Picture: RAC.

Roads

With the RAC expecting 11.5 million journeys around the country before Christmas Day, it should be no surprise the end of the working week brings 'Frantic Friday'.

Spokesman for the motoring group, Rod Dennis, said: "The roads are traditionally busy in the run-up to Christmas, especially when you have commuters, commercial and leisure traffic all competing for space.

"We're then expecting pre-Christmas leisure trips to peak on Christmas Eve, with getaway traffic combining with the inevitable dashes to the shops for last-minute Christmas presents.

Video: KMTV's Harry Peet visits a Highways England control room

"As always, the message to drivers is to plan ahead and try to avoid peak times if you can."

To help things run a bit smoother, Highways England says it is planning to lift and complete almost 400 miles of roadworks across the country this week, meaning 99% of motorways and A-roads will be free of closures.

"The message to drivers is to plan ahead" - Rod Dennis

Any outstanding work will resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Road bosses are also urging people to check their vehicles before they set off, by making sure they have plenty of grip on their tyres and working lights.

Drivers are also being told to make sure they have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel at all times.

Christmas services that will be impacted by the Thameslink Programme works over the festive period. Picture: Southeastern
Christmas services that will be impacted by the Thameslink Programme works over the festive period. Picture: Southeastern

Rail

Network Rail, the organisation in charge of making sure the train lines are in working order, will be working throughout the season.

More than 1,100 engineers will be carrying out work at Sevenoaks Tunnel, a new platform at Redhill and London Bridge station ahead of the reopening in the new year.

From tomorrow until New Year's Day there will be line and station closures affecting Southeastern, Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services.

Commuters are being warned about disruption to rail services this festive period. Stock picture
Commuters are being warned about disruption to rail services this festive period. Stock picture

Trains will not run in the south east on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, including High Speed trains to and from St Pancras International.

Passengers are being told to look ahead and make other arrangements.

Train services director at Southeastern, Ellie Burrows, said: "As the festive period approaches, passengers will no doubt already be thinking about alternative travel arrangements for visiting family and friends and avoiding the peak times where possible.

"We look forward to restoring full Southeastern services from January."

Sea

If you are heading to the continent, advice from the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel may come in handy.

Passengers are advised to allow plenty of time for their journey, stay in their lane while in the port and have their passports ready.

And if you're heading for the Eurotunnel, you're being asked not to arrive too early.

In return, passengers will be treated to choirs and Christmas carols in the departure lounge, and Father Christmas will be there to entertain the children.

Director of public affairs for Eurotunnel, John Keefe, said: "Turn up on time, don't try to get here early and try not to turn up late.

"This helps the traffic flow much better in the port.

"Make sure you've got your passport and have it in your hand so you can hand it over straight away.

"We've got lots of entertainment going on for everyone that comes along."

Listen to kmfm for regular travel updates over the festive period.

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