Easter getaway drivers warned they face gridlock - traffic jam blackspots named

Families heading out and about over Easter have been warned they face the risk of gridlock on busy getaway routes.

Motoring group the predicted more than 19million people will take to the roads on Good Friday alone. It also forecasts 18.5million on Easter Saturday and 18.2million on each of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. It reckons the Easter weekend being three weeks later than in 2024 will “bump up bank holiday traffic by 15%”, as many people hope for warmer this year.

It advised motorists to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes such as the M6 at Birmingham, around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25, and particularly around the junction for the M23 and Gatwick Airport, with congestion also likely at the Dartford crossing, along with the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire.

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AA patrol of the year Shaun Jones advised drivers to carry out “simple checks” such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated, and levels of oil and coolant are correct. He said: “With so many people planning to travel this Easter, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top condition.”

The great getaway comes despite the weather being forecast to take turn for the worse after glorious spring sunshine across the country. It looks instead like a return to unsettled conditions next weekend, with some rain.

Tourism authority VisitEngland said about 10.6million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period, which is expected to provide an estimated £3.9billion boost to the economy. A further 3.4million people are undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it.

VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: “Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so it’s encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home.
“The cost of living remains a concern, and while people are still keen to take a break, many are booking late, taking shorter breaks, and wanting to save on accommodation, activities and eating out, making it difficult for businesses to plan in advance.”

National Highways has deployed traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter period. The scheme involves narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit. It is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers. Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8.

Thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work. The most significant impact will be at London Euston - the UK’s 10th busiest railway station - which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

It is because of work including renewals of overhead electric lines and drainage improvements. Services on the West Coast Main Line will start and terminate at Carlisle, with replacement buses serving stations to the north.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday. That is 6% more than last year’s Easter, but remains 4% down from Easter 2019.

The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.

It comes amid warnings that passengers using Gatwick Airport could face disruption. , as they protest over issues like unpaid .