Drivers warned of Easter traffic with up to 17 million trips planned

Twice the typical amount of traffic is predicted for some roads over the Easter weekend. Credit: PA

Drivers are warned to expect severe queues on roads, with up to 17 million leisure trips by car predicted to be made over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Major roads in south-west England and some in the Home Counties are likely to experience the worst congestion on Good Friday, according to the RAC and transport analytics company Inrix.

More than double the normal traffic levels are predicted for the A303 westbound near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, the M5 south between Bristol and Bridgwater, and the M25 anticlockwise between Hertfordshire and Surrey.

Queues are likely to be increased by engineering work on the railways, including the closure of London Euston station.

Port of Dover says backlog of coaches 'cleared overnight' after queues

A survey of 2,400 UK drivers commissioned by the RAC suggested 2.7 million car journeys have been planned for Good Friday and Easter Sunday by drivers embarking on day trips or overnight stays.

Saturday and Easter Monday are expected to be slightly less busy, with 2.3 million separate getaway trips on each day.

Many people may be waiting to see what the weather has in store as there is potential for another seven million trips to be staggered throughout the long weekend.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis advised motorists to "get on the road as early as possible" on Good Friday or "travel on a different day entirely".

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know

He said: "With many people keen to make the most of the double bank holiday this Easter weekend, we’re expecting the customary jams across parts of the road network to make this Good Friday a bad Friday for drivers, especially those who are planning on covering longer distances.

"Traffic volumes could be even higher if the sun chooses to make a welcome appearance."

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said that nationwide his firm was anticipating travel times during the holiday weekend to swell by around 25%.

Mr Dennis urged motorists to give their vehicles "a bit of TLC before setting out", such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated and checking levels of oil, coolant and screenwash.

Is there going to be travel chaos across the UK on Easter Monday?
London Euston station will be closed over the Easter weekend. Credit: PA

National Highways will temporarily remove more than 1,400 miles of roadworks on England’s motorways and major A-roads by 6am on Thursday until Tuesday April 11.

That means more than 98% of its road network will be free from roadworks.

Elsewhere, Network Rail - which often schedules major engineering work for bank holidays to minimise disruption - is carrying out more than 600 engineering projects on Britain’s railways over the Easter weekend.

No trains will run to or from London Euston between Good Friday and Easter Monday as the West Coast Main Line will be closed up to Milton Keynes Central.

Consequently, Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway services will be disrupted, and Caledonian Sleeper trains will use London King’s Cross.

Track and signalling modernisation work on some lines into London Victoria means Southern and Gatwick Express services will not call at the station during the bank holiday weekend, with some trains being diverted to London Bridge.

The Partygate: The Inside Story podcast brings you fresh revelations and our whistleblowers in their own words in the definitive behind-closed-doors story of how ITV News uncovered one of the biggest scandals of our era