- By Katie Austin, Transport Correspondent, Andre Roden-Paul
- BBC News
image source, Getty Images
Around 14 million Easter holiday trips are planned by drivers between Thursday and Easter Monday
Drivers have been warned to expect significant delays as millions of Brits set out on Easter holidays.
Traffic analysis firm Inclix predicted the worst congestion would be seen on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, airports and airlines expect passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels over bank holiday weekends and school holidays.
Rail passengers are also advised to plan ahead due to construction.
“Carmageddon”
Car company RAC has warned that journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as over the bank holiday weekend, which coincides with the start of the Easter holidays.
Research from RAC and Inrix predicts there will be 14 million trips over the Easter holidays.
A spokesperson for the RAC said: “With Easter falling earlier than usual due to the start of the school holidays, it could be Carmageddon for holidaymakers.”
In particular, journeys on the M25 between the M23 and M1 to Gatwick in Hertfordshire are expected to take more than two hours, twice as long as usual.
Congestion is also expected on the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton.
Meanwhile, tourism agency Visit England has announced that 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight trip this Easter.
Airports and airlines are expecting big numbers, in some cases even exceeding 2019 levels.
Long queues at Stansted Airport this week
Manchester Airport has announced it is preparing for around 320,000 passengers this weekend, 8% more than the same number last year.
Glasgow Airport has announced that it will bring in extra staff for “the next three very busy weekends”.
Low-cost airline EasyJet expects the Easter weekend to be its busiest ever.
What about train travel?
Network Rail is urging people to check their travel details before traveling.
There will be disruption to some rail lines over the holidays as some major lines will be closed for construction.
London Euston station, one of the UK’s busiest railway stations, will be closed from Good Friday until Easter Monday, except for London Overground trains.
This comes as part of the West Coast Main Line will be closed due to Network Rail works between London and Milton Keynes.
Replacement buses will operate on this section. Avanti West Coast will operate the revised Services on its network.
For more information on other changes to rail services across the country, please visit JNR website.
Strengthening inspections in Dover
French authorities in Dover have stepped up border surveillance following the Moscow concert hall attack. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time.
About 20,000 cars are expected to pass through the port between Thursday and Easter Sunday.
People heading to the Channel Tunnel at the Port of Dover will notice a traffic management system operations block has been installed on the M20.
The Dover Government has told bus operators that during peak periods over the next few days, waiting times could be up to two and a half hours, even with adequate staffing at the border.
Eurotunnel told the BBC it was adding more shuttles and staff to cope with the large number of people expected.
