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.
90 minute delays on the M25 in Kent
National Highways is reporting delays of 90 minutes or more on the M25 in Kent anti-clockwise between J4 (Orpington) and the A282 towards Dartford Crossing due to high volumes of traffic.
The agency explain the delays were caused by a broken down vehicle with a brake issue.
Road users are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit M25 at J4 and take the 1st exit on to M25 link towards London
- At Hewitts Roundabout, take the 4th exit on to A224 towards Orpington
- Continue on A224 and at the roundabout with the A20 'Crittal's Corner' take the 3rd exit on to the A20
- Travel along the A20 and rejoin the M25 at J3
'Drivers may have journeys disrupted by heavy rain', says RAC
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson has said that if forecasted heavy rain becomes a reality “many drivers may have their journeys disrupted as they set off for day trips and long weekends”.
She added: “It’s vital to plan ahead and be prepared for trips to take longer because of the wet weather and the expected getaway congestion.”
Ms Simpson said an estimated 6.2 million people are “undecided” on when they will travel for an Easter leisure trip, which means “any sign of sun” could spark “big jams”.
Airport workers strike to cause 'major disruption'
Some 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Monday, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.
But those flying from Gatwick could face “major disruption” as members of Unite working for ground handling firm Red Handling plan to strike.
Staff walking out include baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers for airlines including Norwegian, Delta, TAP and Air Peace.
“As the workers handle about 50 flights a day, the strike action will cause major disruption for holidaymakers planning getaways that weekend with expected flight delays, cancellations, long queues at check-in and baggage delays,” Unite said.
Pictured: Traffic jams on major routes as Easter getaway chaos underway
Traffic queues are already forming along major routes including the A2 and M25 for the Dartford Crossing, as people try to get ahead of the 19 million people who are estimated to drive on Good Friday.
UK holiday hotspot hit by heavy rain weather warning for Easter weekend
Britons hoping to escape to some of the UK’s top staycation spots for an Easter break have been told to expect disruptive heavy rain.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the southwest of England on Friday, covering tourist hotspots including Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
The forecasters warned that a prolonged spell of rain, some of it heavy, will likely cause difficult driving conditions and some disruption to travel as millions hit the road over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Read the full story:
UK holiday hotspot hit by heavy rain weather warning for Easter weekend
Drivers face ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ over Easter weekend
Drivers face a “hat-trick of hold-ups” as the bank holiday weekend coincides with the end of the Easter holidays for many schools, a motoring organisation warned.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson urged drivers to expect “extremely high levels of traffic from Thursday onwards”.
She said: “The late bank holiday weekend clashes with the end of the Easter break for many schools – which we think will change the nature of this year’s getaway.
“Although journey numbers are still very high, we’re anticipating more day trips and weekend breaks than people heading off on one and two-week stints.
“This could lead to a hat-trick of hold-ups on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as drivers visit family and friends.”
Roadworks to be lifted ahead of Easter getaway
More than 1,000 miles of roadworks in England will be lifted to ease the Easter getaway, the Department for Transport has announced.
National Highways will remove roadworks from 1,127 miles of motorways and major A roads by 6am on Thursday, meaning 97.5 per cent of its network will be free of traffic cones.
They will not be reinstated until after Easter Monday.
Trees fall on Devon roads as flood warning issued
A flood warning has been issued in Devon following a night of heavy rain in the county.
The Environment Agency issued the warning for the lower River Torridge, from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard.
It said properties in low-lying areas are at risk of flooding after river levels rose to just below 11ft (3.3m).
Devon County Council’s highways team said it received reports of trees down on roads including the A396 in Bampton, the A3072 near Crediton, and the A375 in Gittisham.
The RAC warned that if the forecast heavy rain on Good Friday hits the South West of England and South Wales then there could be widespread disruption.
Met Office issues weather warning for tourist hotspots
Britons hoping to escape to some of the UK’s top staycation spots for an Easter break have been told to expect disruptive heavy rain.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the south west of England on Friday, covering tourist hotspots including Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
The forecasters warned that a prolonged spell of rain, some of it heavy, will likely cause difficult driving conditions and some disruption to travel as millions hit the road over the Bank Holiday weekend.
It said flooding of a few homes and businesses, affected bus and train services and some interruption to power supplies were possible.
The warning will come into effect at 6pm on Friday and remain in place until 9am on Saturday.
Airports set for busiest day of the year so far on Good Friday
Easter marks the first really busy spell of 2025 for the UK's airports, with some locations including Birmingham expecting record passenger numbers.
The Independent has learnt the busiest days for some key airports are expected to be as follows:
- Bristol 18-21 April
- Edinburgh 20 April
- Gatwick 18 April
- Glasgow 20 April
- Liverpool 18 April
- Luton 18 April
- Manchester 18 April
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