Seb Gordon News Today

Passengers have been urged to check timetables amid staff shortages

Customers reported a typical shower of s*** at airfield across the UK as they desperately try to make it to family for Christmas Day. Pictured: Heathrow today.

CrossCountry, which operates routes between major cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Leeds, said there would be no trains running on many routes on Friday.

An RAC spokesperson said the vast majority of drivers are still determined to do Christmas properly this year despite the Omicron variant, while rail strikes threaten to wreak havoc on travel plans.

More than 18million vehicles will hit the roads today and Christmas Eve to see family and friends over the holiday, with the RAC estimating that 5million alone will head out tomorrow.

Boris Johnson has warned more measures could be imposed to tackle the Covid variant

Shorter Covid self-isolation in England should mean fewer cancelled trains, says the Rail Delivery Group.

People who test negative with a LFT can reduce their Covid self-isolation period from 10 days to seven

Wales is expected to announce new measures later and Northern Ireland's ministers are to discuss possible measures.

Timetables set to be reduced as number of staff off sick with Covid grows and strikes are set to cause disruption