Picking up a child from university after 3 Dec

[UniChildCovidTravel]

Asking for a friend. In Edinburgh, child is at uni in Lancaster. They could travel back by train during the period indicated by the government, but the parent thinks it is safer to drive down and pick up the child. Does anyone know if this is permitted travel? The government guidance doesn't say anything about this scenario.

DH is picking DD up on the 5th. I've no idea if it's officially allowed or not. He's been regularly travelling all over the country for work and has never been stopped.

No idea if officially allowed or not but you'd think it would be preferable to have less people on public transport anyway! I don't think they have the resources to be stopping people on motorways even if not!

The government advice for universities recommends that students travel home in a private car if possible rather than public transport. So it’s fine.

I believe it may be illegal to cross the Scottish border without good reason. Also, I did hear Nicola Surgeon saying the other day students would have to have two covid tests before leaving and coming back, so I'd just check on the finer points of these. DD was up in Edinburgh and came back early as she was struggling, luckily before border restrictions.

It says

Students should follow the Government’s travel guidance, which includes wearing face coverings unless exempt, avoiding busy routes and times, and limiting car sharing with only their household or bubble where possible.

I agree this seems implied, but there's nothing explicit about the parent travelling. Given that people are getting fined for crossing the border, my friend wants to be certain.