News & Current Events
Heathrow Evacuated With Airport Thrown Into Chaos
On ‘Frantic Friday’ today, Britain’s main summer vacation descended into turmoil as trains were canceled, a key road was stopped, and an airport terminal was evacuated.
After the summer break, many families were on the move, although there was some difficulty for those going to the airports at London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.
During the investigation of a fire alarm that prompted long lines at passport control, a section of Heathrow Terminal 3 was cleared this morning.
For safety concerns, workers temporarily evacuated the area after the notice, which was issued shortly after 11 a.m. Some travelers complained that this resulted in two-hour lines.

Christina Warren, who had just arrived on a Virgin Atlantic flight, tweeted, “Landed at Heathrow an hour early but there was a fire alarm so the line for passport control is literally backed up literally the entire terminal because of a fire alarm going off.”
Natalie Berg, another passenger waiting at Heathrow after arriving from the US, added, “Nearly two hours and line has barely moved at Heathrow. Just been told immigration and baggage reclaim has now reopened so hopefully on the move soon.”
And a further traveller wrote, “Fire crews investigating incident in baggage hall at Heathrow T3 mean security border is currently closed. Very long queue already.”
A Heathrow spokeswoman told MailOnline: “Following an earlier fire alarm evacuation in parts of Terminal 3, the incident has now been stood down. We apologise for any disruption caused to journeys.”
Later, travelers were permitted to get their bags and go by entering the baggage reclaim hall.
According to RAC estimates, there were almost 2.7 million leisure trips made today; drivers were advised not to leave before 7 p.m. tonight.
Following two collisions between junctions eight and nine, the M11 in Essex was stopped in both directions near Stansted, warning drivers of seven-mile lines.
A points failure at Haywards Heath affected services run by Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink, causing train disruption for those traveling to Gatwick.
Other rail services that experienced disruptions included the Mildmay line in London owing to faulty track, and LNER between Retford and Newark after a train struck an obstruction on the track.
Four Hull Trains services were canceled because of Aslef strike action, while Great Western Railway trains between Castle Cary and Westbury experienced a points failure.
Today, a campervan caught fire close to junctions 15 for the M4 and 16 for the M40, causing lengthy delays for drivers on the M25 in Buckinghamshire.
Following the massive influx of vacationers and freight lorries, drivers in Kent were stuck in a line to utilize the Port of Dover.
The cars were traveling very slowly from the A20 through Dover and along Jubilee Way to the port.
According to a Port of Dover bulletin, delays of almost an hour were being caused by traffic entering the port.
There was a traffic control system in place, and one traffic warden reported to an observer that drivers had been verbally abusing them a lot.
The Port of Dover’s chief executive, Doug Bannister, stated that his company has been “preparing for a busy summer” and has implemented efforts to “minimize disruption.”
He said, “We know how vital it is to keep things moving, not just for holidaymakers but for our local community too.”
“That’s why we’ve boosted staff levels, strengthened traffic management, added welfare facilities and introduced AI-powered forecasting – all to minimise disruption and ensure both residents and travellers have the best possible experience during this busy season.”
Nearly 40,000 cars are anticipated this weekend, and over 270,000 over the next six weeks, according to the Port of Dover.
Instead of waiting until the weekend to take a vacation, more drivers than ever before were anticipated to take a vacation at some point this week, the RAC announced on Monday.
The first getaway weekend will be busy, though, as 2.7 million trips are scheduled for today’s “Frantic Friday.”
After this, there will be a “Saturday Scramble” tomorrow since 3 million journeys are scheduled to occur in a single day.
Sunday is predicted to see an additional 2.7 million travels, and another 4.6 million at some point over the weekend, for a total of 26.9 million journeys this week.
There may be significant delays on the M40 northbound between J12 for Gaydon in Warwickshire and the M42 exit at J3A in the West Midlands.
On the M4 westbound from J22 for the Pilning Interchange at Severn Beach via the Prince of Wales Bridge to J26 for Newport, as well as on the M1 northbound from J12 to J16 in Northamptonshire, lines are also likely to form.
There may be 40-minute delays on the M1 northbound from J22 near Leicester to J26 for Nottingham, close to the Peak District.
50-minute lines are also likely to form along the M25 anticlockwise from J4 for Sevenoaks to the Dartford Crossing.
Given that traffic is expected to be at its worst around the middle of the day, the RAC and Inrix are advising anyone departing over the weekend to leave as early or late as feasible.
Drivers on Saturday were advised to think about leaving before 10am, while those traveling today or on Sunday was urged to attempt to begin their journeys before 10am or after 7pm.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said tomorrow is expected be the “single busiest day for summer traffic with many drivers travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination.”
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