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

Where to expect Easter holiday travel chaos with Simon Calder

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.

Key Points

• Where will the worst traffic be over Easter? Simon Calder's predictions
• RAC warns of busiest weekend on roads since Covid lockdown lifting in 2022
• Entire train lines to shut over Easter weekend
• Airport workers strike to cause 'major disruption'

[17 April 2025 09:43 · Bryony Gooch]

Met Office warn of 'disruptive' rain on Good Friday as travellers plan their journeys

Steven Skeates, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, has said there will be “changeable weather for many” during the bank holiday weekend.

An area of low pressure could bring “heavy and possibly even disruptive rain” on Good Friday for parts of south-west England, Northern Ireland and South Wales, he added.

Areas across the West will experience heavy rain patches (Met Office)

[17 April 2025 09:22 · Athena Stavrou]

Warning issued over Easter travel disruption as millions plan getaways

Drivers have been warned to expect to face delays to their journeys this weekend as millions are expected to hit the road for an Easter getaway.

People planning on travelling on major routes such as the M6 at Birmingham and around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25, the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire have been advised to prepare for congestion.

The AA estimated that 19.1 million people in the UK will drive on Good Friday, with 18.5 million hitting the road on Saturday and 18.2 million on each of Easter Sunday and Monday.

(PA Archive)