Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads

Drivers are being warned to expect long delays as millions of Britons set off on Easter getaway trips.

Transport analysis company Inrix predicted Thursday afternoon will see the worst congestion.

Meanwhile, airports and airlines expect numbers over the bank holiday weekend and school holidays to return to pre-pandemic levels.

And rail passengers are advised to plan ahead because of engineering works.

Motoring company RAC warned journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as the bank holiday weekend coincides with the start of the Easter holidays.

A survey by RAC and Inrix suggested 14 million Easter getaway trips are expected to be made.

“With Easter falling earlier than usual at the start of the school holidays, it could be carmageddon for holidaymakers,” an RAC breakdown spokesperson said.

In particular, journeys on the M25, between the M23 for Gatwick the M1 in Hertfordshire, are expected to take over two hours – twice the usual time.

The M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton is also likely to be congested.

Meanwhile, tourist board Visit England said 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight trip this Easter.

Airports and airlines are expecting big numbers, in some cases above 2019 levels.

Manchester Airport said it was preparing for about 320,000 passengers this weekend, 8% more than the equivalent last year.

Glasgow Airport said it would have extra staff in place during “three exceptionally busy weekends ahead”.

Low-cost airline Easyjet is predicting its busiest ever Easter weekend.

Network Rail is urging people to check their journey details before they travel.

There will be disruption on some rail routes over the bank holiday as some major routes close due to engineering work.

London Euston, one of the UK’s busiest railway stations, will be closed between Good Friday and Easter Monday – except for London Overground trains.

It is because Network Rail engineering works between London and Milton Keynes will close part of the West Coast Main Line.

There will be replacement buses on this stretch. Avanti West Coast will operate a revised service on its network.

French authorities at Dover have stepped up border monitoring following the Moscow concert hall attack. Drivers are being advised to plan ahead and leave extra time.

Around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Sunday.

People heading to the Channel Tunnel at the Port of Dover will find the traffic management system Operation Brock in place on the M20.

At peak times over the next few days, Dover has told coach operators that even with the right resources in place at the border, wait times could be up to 2.5 hours.

Eurotunnel told the BBC it was putting on extra shuttles and staff to cope with expected high numbers.