Disruption is expected across Britain’s roads and railways this weekend as millions of people get away for the Easter bank holiday.
There is extensive work planned on the rail network, with more than 200 projects being undertaken as part of a £70m investment, and more than 15 million cars are expected on the roads.
Traffic experts predicted a quieter Easter than last year, but roads were still expected to be considerably busier than usual. Traffic is likely to peak on Thursday night and after lunchtime on Monday.
The busiest spots on Monday are expected to be the M6 southbound, between junctions 16 and 22, and junctions 34 and 37, the A303 eastbound between Amesbury and Andover, the M25 Dartford crossing, and the M4 eastbound between junctions 5 and 12.
John Snowling, of the AA, said: “Despite fewer people planning to get away with Easter falling quite late this year, there will still be a lot of pressure on the main getaway routes, particularly to and from coastal regions and channel ports.
“For some it will be their first long-distance car journey of the year, which can reveal any underlying mechanical problems. Do the essential checks on your car before heading off, keep your fuel tank at least a quarter full to avoid running out on your journey, and pay particular attention to the tyres – you may need to adjust the pressures for a heavy load.”
Network Rail warned of disruption to various services, including:
• London Cannon Street: no Southeastern services arriving or departing on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday trains will start and terminate at New Cross.
• London Charing Cross: no Southeastern services arriving or departing on Friday and Saturday. A normal service will be in place on Sunday, and on Monday there will be reduced services to London Bridge.
• No train services all weekend between London Liverpool Street and Ingatestone/Billericay owing to Crossrail East work and overhead line renewal. Replacement bus services will be in place.
• Reduced services between London Paddington and Heathrow airport on Saturday.
• No Southern or Gatwick Express services from London Victoria on Sunday. The airport will still be served by services from London Blackfriars.
• Replacement bus services all weekend between Bristol Temple Meads and Chippenham/Frome/Westbury/Castle Cary.
• CrossCountry and Virgin Trains East Coast services will not run between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central on Saturday and Sunday, and Scotrail trains will be diverted between Motherwell and Glasgow Central. Bus services will be in place.
The weather is unlikely to live up to last week’s highs, with the Met Office forecasting a largely dry but cool weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 17C in the south, but in other areas there could be overnight frost. Saturday is expected to be the sunniest day.
