Travellers expected to hit roads in droves this weekend as Easter getaway begins

31 March 2023 , 17:16

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Experts are predicting a wet and windy few days ahead (Image: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

Millions of drivers are set to hit the road this weekend as the Easter getaway begins.

But a wet, gloomy Met Office forecast for the week ahead could deter some from travelling.

Families flying abroad could face axed flights due to strikes at airports in Britain and in Europe while Passport Office strikes could lead to processing delays.

The AA expects Saturday April 8 looks to be the busiest day for travel, with 46% of people planning to get behind the wheel. Easter Monday is predicted to be the long weekend’s quietest day.

The Met Office said showers or long spells of rain are likely in the first few days of the holidays with heavy rain on Easter Sunday.

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Millions of motorists are expected to hit the roads (Mike Newman / SWNS)

Although one in 20 drivers intend to go to the coast or countryside, an AA spokesperson said: “It looks like the retailers will reap the benefit of a wet Easter.”

Network Rail warned of disruption to many services over the Easter weekend and advised travellers to check before they travel.

The RAC expects motorways to be mostly roadworks-free over the long weekend. P&O ferries does not expect any disruption.

Drivers and families will remain hopeful that the Easter weekend won’t be a complete washout, but the AA is encouraging drivers to take their time on the roads should the forecast remain bleak.

They added: “As well as standing water and slippery streets, drivers should remember that stopping distances increase when there is rain and vehicles carry more weight.”

According to new research from finder.com, an estimated 6.3m people will be taking a domestic holiday over Easter.

Easter weekend could provide some unexpected weather (George Cracknell Wright)

But for those planning to get the train, there is set to be rail misery. Although industrial action won’t be taking place over Easter,

Network Rail has warned there will be disruption to services on many routes between Friday April 7 and Monday April 10, advising travellers to check before they travel.

The most significant disruption to intercity services will be on the West Coast Main Line - right through the Easter weekend no trains will run into or from London Euston.

Instead, trains from the West Midlands, northwest England and North Wales will terminate at Milton Keynes Central.

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Long-term improvement work at Carstairs will disrupt Easter journeys between Carlisle and Glasgow Central or Edinburgh.

P&O ferries does not expect any disruption despite recent stormy seas (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

According to the RAC, these works will push more people on to the roads, leading to traffic jams, although luckily there’s which no major planned roadworks.

Their traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Drivers are always desperate to make the most of the first bank holidays of the spring, and we don’t expect this year to be any different.

“Major rail engineering work in London and Scotland is also likely to have the effect of pushing more people onto the roads.

“If there’s one silver lining for drivers though it’s that at least the majority of the motorway network will be roadworks-free over the four-day weekend.”

Finder have estimated that there will be 4.2m trips abroad from the UK in April. It’s better news for ferry travellers, with P&O saying there’s no planned disruption.

* England had its wettest March in over 40 years, with 111mm of rain – 91% more than average, the Met Office says.

Natasha Wynarczyk