Traffic news live: Easter travellers warned of train chaos and airport strikes with 19 million to hit UK roads
AA estimates 19 million to drive on Good Friday, followed by 18 million on Saturday
People heading on an Easter getaway this weekend are facing travel chaos, as multiple train lines close and millions hit the road.
Traffic queues are expected to form along major roads, as people try to get ahead of the estimated 19 million people expected to drive on Good Friday.
Heavy rain forecast by the Met Office could also disrupt journeys, the RAC has warned, as a yellow rain warning has been put in place across the south west of England.
Train passengers are also being warned over disruption as Network Rail prepares to begin its Easter engineering work - closing a number of railway lines.
The most significant impact will be at London Euston – which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Saturday and Easter Sunday, and a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Monday.
Those planning on flying to their Bank Holiday destinations will also face “major disruption”, as Gatwick airport workers are set to strike over pensions.
Transport Secretary backs removal of roadworks over Easter
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Cutting journey times and saving drivers money every year is all part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards and put more money in people's pockets.
National Highways planning on removing roadworks over Easter weekend
National Highways director of operational services, Andrew Butterfield, said: "We expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long Easter weekend.
"That's why we are making journeys easier by removing a huge number of roadworks."
RAC warns of busiest weekend on roads since Covid lockdown lifting in 2022
Traffic will be equally severe on Thursday 17, Good Friday 18 and Saturday 19 April with drivers planning around 2.7m trips every day during that period, the RAC said.
The number of trips planned drops slightly on Easter Sunday to 2.5m, before increasing again to a further 2.7m on bank holiday Monday as millions of people return home.
They add a further 6.2m journeys are anticipated at some point over the Easter bank holiday weekend with weather likely to be a big factor for when they travel.
Accident causes 50 minute delays on M27
Congestion is increasing on the M27 eastbound between junctions J9 and J12 after an earlier accident.
90 minute delays on M6 during rush hour
There are “long delays” of around 90 minutes on the M6 during the rush hour.
A broken-down vehicle caused delays worsened by “holiday traffic”, according to live updates from Inrix.
Congestion on the M6 northbound between junctions J14 and J15 is expected to last until 7.45pm.
Good weather could make traffic worse, RAC says
19 million people are estimated to already have planned to hit the road on Good Friday - but even more could be made depending on the weather.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said an estimated 6.2 million people are “undecided” on when they will travel over the weekend for an Easter leisure trip, which means “any sign of sun” could spark “big jams”.
Fire alarm causes chaos at Liverpool Central
A fire alarm sounding at Liverpool Central station means that all lines running through the city are disrupted.
Trains will be running through this station non stop between Liverpool Lime Street and James Street or revised. Liverpool Central will not be served.
Disruption is expected until 5.45pm.
Severe delays on A1 not expected to clear up until 8pm
The A1 southbound between the A47 and the junction with the A605 has delays of 30 minutes or more.
Entire train lines to shut over Easter weekend
Train passengers are being warned over disruption as Network Rail prepares to begin its Easter engineering work.
The Government-owned company said it will carry out work on more than 300 projects across Britain between Good Friday and Monday, causing a number of lines to be closed.
The most significant impact will be at London Euston which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Saturday and Easter Sunday, and a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Monday.
Dublin leads all other destinations for British travellers heading abroad for Easter
Dublin is way ahead of cities worldwide as the leading destination for Easter travel from the UK, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
During the Easter weekend, 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports, with more than two million seats.
Good Friday is projected to be the busiest day of the weekend, with 2,949 departures – an average of one flight taking off from a UK airport every 30 seconds.
More flights will be going to Dublin than anywhere else. Almost 70,000 passengers are heading for the Irish capital between Good Friday and Easter Monday – more than those going to Paris, Madrid and Rome combined.
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