Roads, stations and airports brace for bank holiday chaos as 21 million Brits prepare for Easter getaway
Motoring groups said many drivers are pressing ahead despite rising fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East
Millions of drivers have set off on Easter getaways despite higher fuel prices, major rail engineering works and weather warnings for parts of the UK.
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Today is expected to be the busiest day of the break, with drivers facing heavy congestion, rail passengers braced for major engineering disruption and holidaymakers warned to allow extra time for their journeys.
The AA said 21.7 million trips were planned for today alone, making it the busiest day of the long weekend, while the RAC said this is likely to be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022.
Around 12.5 million people are planning a UK holiday trip over the weekend, while another two million are expected to travel abroad between tomorrow and Easter Monday.
Motoring groups said many drivers are pressing ahead despite rising fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
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The RAC said average diesel prices had risen to 184.2p a litre, up 29% since the war began on 28 February, while petrol had climbed to 153.7p, up 16%.
Expected congestion hotspots include the M6 through Birmingham and towards Blackpool, the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 around Bristol and into the South West, the A303 in Wiltshire and the M4 in South Wales.
National Highways said it is lifting 1,500 miles of roadworks to keep 98% of its network clear.
Rail passengers also face significant disruption, with Network Rail carrying out more than 270 engineering projects over the bank holiday, including a six-day shutdown on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes.
London Underground and Overground passengers also face disruption over Easter, with closures affecting parts of the Hammersmith & City, District and Bakerloo lines, as well as sections of the DLR and Overground network.
The Elizabeth line will also run a reduced service on parts of the route, with some stations seeing no trains at all.
Air passengers are also expected to face pressure during the Easter getaway, with millions travelling abroad between tomorrow and Easter Monday.
Travellers heading to Europe have also been warned to allow extra time, with disruption and delays reported at some EU airports.
Weather could add to the pressure. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for strong winds across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales, with gusts of up to 90mph possible in western Scotland.
Snow is also possible in north-west Scotland over the weekend.