easter travel traffic

Easter 2024 travel advice: Best and worst days to travel + roads to avoid

The Easter bank holiday is fast approaching. Here’s our top tips on when to travel and which routes to avoid so you can have a cracking Easter! 🐣 (Sorry…)

Easter travel

Traditionally, the Easter weekend has always been a busy period for travel, but in recent years the holiday has been particularly hectic on the roads - and UK drivers should expect more of the same this year.

Post-Covid Britain has seen a surge in staycations, resulting in busier roads during holidays. 2022, for example, saw in excess of 21 million leisure journeys, the busiest Easter since 2014.

And warnings were issued before 2023's Easter weekend too, with the RAC claiming "Good Friday could turn bad" due to busy roads with millions getting behind the wheel.

In 2024 we can expect more of the same - so to help you navigate the holiday, we've highlighted the days and routes you should try to avoid.

Busiest days and times on the road at Easter

Based on historic data and trends, here are the best and worst days and times to travel.

We've used INRIX and RAC 'expected trips' data from 2022 and 2023 to highlight when and when not to hit the road.

Prepare your routes and travel times for an easy trip

Busy roads over Easter weekend

It’ll come as no surprise that motorways up and down the country will be taking the brunt of the Easter traffic. However, some roads look like they’ll be worse hit than others, based on historic data.

Roads to avoid:

M6 north between Liverpool and the Lake District
M6 south towards Stoke-on-Trent
M25 between Surrey and the M40 exit
A303 near Stonehenge
M3 north to Basingstoke

Top tips for Easter travel

If you've not driven much recently, it pays to check both you and your vehicle are safe to hit the road.

There have been several important changes to the Highway Code in the last couple of years, and it’s wise to ensure you read up on these.

Vehicle checks

There are several simple, yet critical, vehicle checks you should do if you’re planning an Easter getaway:

Fuel - make sure you have plenty of fuel, and remember that motorway services can charge around 30p more per litre than a non-motorway petrol station
Oil - check your oil levels
Coolant - check you are topped up
Screenwash - ditto
Tyres - ensure they are inflated to the correct pressure and that the tread is at least 3mm deep. Don’t forget to check the spare
Lights - check your lights all work correctly
Wiper blades - check they clear your windscreen properly

Passenger checks

To help your break go as smoothly as possible, here are some tips from our experts to ensure an easy ride:

Mobile phone - make sure your phone is fully charged before you set off in case of a breakdown. Just remember, since January 2022 it's been illegal to even touch your phone while driving - even if you're just changing your music or swiping away a notification.
Sat nav - with petrol stations, destination and other stop offs programmed in
Insurance and breakdown cover details - keep them in a handy place
Face covering and hand sanitiser - be safe
Water or juice - it’s important to remain hydrated, especially travelling long distance
Snacks - who doesn’t love a treat?
First aid kit - this is essential
Entertainment - if you have children with you, don’t forget to pack something to keep them happy; the “are we there yet?” can rapidly increase your stress levels!

Get insured

Snacks and fuel are important but there is one golden rule you need to abide before hitting the road this Easter: you must be insured - and Cuvva's policies from 1 hour to 28 days might be able to help, with cover starting from just £11.88.

Temporary car insurance for borrowing or lending a car in minutes.
Learner driver cover for driving lessons, getting practice in with a supervisor, or taking the driving test.
Drive away insurance for getting your new car home from the dealership.
Temporary van insurance for moving home, dropping things to the recycling centre, or carrying a heavy load.

And it only takes a few minutes to get a quote .

Traveling On Easter

Easter/spring break traffic tends to be spread over a longer period than Christmas or Thanksgiving. Some people will take off the week before Easter, some the week after. During this time, may find more traffic than on an average spring weekend.

If you’re like many people, and are planning to hit the road this Easter break, you should know that research shows it’s one of the busiest times of the year for road accidents.

While many of us will be taking the opportunity to make the most of the long weekend, it’s important not to stretch yourself beyond your limits and keep road safety front of mind.

Top tips for safe driving this long Easter weekend: • Get a good night’s sleep in the days leading up to your journey. • Avoid beginning a trip at the end of a day’s work. • Take a break and stretch your legs every 2 hours, and swap drivers if you can. • It is dangerous to rely on caffeine, energy drinks, and loud music. • Slow down while driving at night. • Ensure that your registration, car servicing, and car insurance are up to date before you leave.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Have a wonderful and SAFE holiday with family and friends.

Easter travel warning with '14 million' holiday road journeys, record numbers at airports and major rail works planned

The RAC warns that journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as usual, while Bristol, Newcastle and Edinburgh airports say they predict a record number of passengers. Network Rail will also carry out engineering work between London Euston and Milton Keynes.

By Dylan Donnelly, news reporter

Thursday 28 March 2024 07:50, UK

Britons have been warned of long delays on their Easter getaways with more than 14 million journeys expected on the roads, airports prepared for a record number of passengers, and engineering works on key rail services.

The RAC warned that journeys on popular routes could take twice as long as usual, as the bank holiday weekend leads into a two-week holiday for many schools.

Trains are also set to be stopped as Network Rail carries out engineering works on the West Coast Main Line - which stretches from the capital to Scotland - between London Euston and Milton Keynes.

And at least three major airports have said that the coming days will be their busiest ever Easter weekend.

Travel expert Simon Calder told Sky News that Bristol, Newcastle and Edinburgh all predict a record number of passengers from Good Friday to Easter Monday, with routes to Geneva tipped to be extremely busy.

Around two million Britons are expected to fly away over the holiday weekend, with Bristol predicting 30,000 holiday-goers on Easter Sunday alone.

Airports will stay busy over the school holidays, with Luton expecting to see around 38 passengers a minute on 5 April.

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Easter getaways: these are the best (and worst) times to travel over Easter weekend

Everything you need to know to make your Easter travels as smooth as possible, from airport disruption to busiest traffic times

After a long, hard, 40 day trek through the desert and his own death, Jesus is coming back this Sunday, as he tends to this time of year. After a similarly difficult 14 hour crawl up the M1, you are also likely coming home this weekend, for a couple of days of gorging on chocolate, arguing with your extended family about Kate Middleton, and deflecting questions about why you haven’t bought a house yet – a cause just as noble as saving mankind from sin.

Delays are expected on pretty much every form of transport, with rail, ferry, and air travel providers all saying this is set to be their busiest Easter weekend in a long time. If you’re planning your travels, here’s everything you need to know to avoid the worst of the traffic and overall misery on your way back home.

What is the busiest day for travel over Easter weekend?

As you might expect, Good Friday is expected to be the busiest day for drivers. According to a survey conducted by research group Find Out Now, an estimated 2.6 million journeys will be made by car this Friday (March 29), with a further 2.3 million to be made on Saturday and Sunday. Adding in people who plan to travel but don’t know exactly when, there’s going to be roughly 14 million journeys made by Brits in cars over the next few days. That’s one trip for every four people in the UK. In short: it’s going to be busy.

Traffic wise, travel software company Inrix predict that this afternoon (March 28 between 2pm and 7pm) will see motorways at their most congested, with some journey times being doubled. The M25 between the M23 Gatwick and M1 Hertfordshire junctions are expected to be the busiest in the country, and the M5 Southbound between Bristol and Taunton is also likely going to be pretty tightly packed, so avoid those if you can.

This rush is thanks to Easter falling closer than usual to schools breaking off, so we're all trying to get where we're going at the exact same times.

What’s the best time to travel?

Ultimately, travel this weekend is going to be a bit grim. An analyst from Inrix explained that drivers ‘should be prepared for longer journeys than normal throughout the entire weekend’, so it’s really swings and roundabouts.

Some times are better than others, such as early in the mornings or very late at night. Alice Simpson, a spokesperson for RAC, says, ‘Anyone who can delay leaving on March 28 until much later in the evening or set off as early as possible on Good Friday is likely to have a better journey than those who travel during the peak periods of the day.’

‘Lengthy queues can be expected along routes to the usual hotspots like the West Country, the Lake District and the south coast, especially during the middle of the day when most people make trips.’

What about airports?

If you’re getting away from the rain and subzero temperatures this weekend, you’re not alone. Bristol, Newcastle, and Edinburgh airport all told the Independent that they are seeing record passengers this Easter. With so many Brits heading to warmer pastures like Barcelona, Dubai, and Alicante, it’s probably wise to factor in some delays to your plans if you’re travelling between Thursday and Monday.

What’s happening with trains over Easter weekend?

As for travellers braving the railways, your souls are not to be spared from this wretched weekend’s disruptions. Network Rail is, very cleverly, shutting down part of the main route connecting London to the north and Scotland over the Bank Holiday weekend, so expect to see delays if you’re going between the capital and anywhere above Birmingham.

Strikes will also affect journeys into April, and you can keep up to date on all the latest strike information here .

Are ferries running as normal?

Ferries running internally within the UK should all run as normal, so those crossing the Irish sea or heading to domestic islands should be fine. Getting across the channel is a little more complex, as post-Brexit regulations add some time to processing and customs.

Those crossing from the port of Dover should expect some delays, as security has been tightened even further following the recent Moscow concert attack.

Did you see that these are the UK’s six best holiday homes right now ?

Plus: everything you need to know about when and how to see the April 8 eclipse .

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.

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Easter travel – live: Bank holiday chaos as drivers face 20-mile queues on M4 and M5 and delays at Dover

The bank holiday travel chaos continues as drivers face up to 20-mile-long queues on major motorways as well as two-hour delays at the Port of Dover.

Around 2.6 million car journeys were expected to be made on Good Friday as the Easter getaway got underway, with holiday traffic causing “significant” congestion around the M25 and roads in the South West and South East by lunchtime. Queues of 15 to 20 miles were seen on the M4 and M5 interchange near Bristol, which is adding 45 minutes to journey times.

Meanwhile, the Port of Dover warned of two-hour delays on Friday afternoon. Huge queues could be seen building up there after ferry company DFDS reported on Thursday that its services were running with delays “due to strong winds in the Channel”.

And once again there are long waits for French passport control at the Kent port, where frontier formalities are carried out before boarding ferries to France. Since Brexit, officials are required to scrutinise and stamp UK passports.

It comes after plans were dashed as strong winds from the Spanish-named Storm Nelson hit the start of the wet long weekend, forcing the cancellation of trains, with almost 200 flood warnings and alerts remaining in place across the UK on Friday.

Motorists stuck in ‘pretty horrendous’ 20-mile long Good Friday motorway queues

Port of Dover warns two-hour delays continue blaming ‘adverse weather'

Severe disruption for rail passengers, particularly between london and southwest england, holiday traffic has been ‘pretty horrendous’ on good friday so far.

16:30 , Sam Rkaina

Holiday traffic has caused “pretty horrendous” 20-mile long queues on major motorways, adding 45 minutes to journey times.

Around 2.6 million car journeys were expected to be made on Good Friday, with “significant” congestion around the M25 and roads in the South West and South East by lunchtime.

The RAC said holidaymakers heading south were behind much of the congestion after forecasters predicted sunnier spells there over the next few days.

Queues of 15 to 20 miles were seen on the M4 and M5 interchange near Bristol, which is adding 45 minutes on to journey times.

Meanwhile, the western side of the M25 was described as “pretty bad” and a “lot worse than normal”, with 40-minute queues.

It was also busy on the top-end of the M20, with congestion heading into Folkestone.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams told the PA news agency: “Everyone’s heading to Devon and Cornwall, that’s the attraction, and there’s been a bit of better weather.

“It’s causing some pretty horrendous queues.”

More than 170 flood warnings and alerts remain in place in UK after Storm Nelson

16:00 , Tara Cobham

More than 170 flood warnings and alerts remain in place across the UK following Storm Nelson.

As of Friday morning, 152 flood alerts had been issued by the Environment Agency (EA), meaning flooding in those areas is possible, while 21 flood warnings were in place in areas where flooding is expected.

Met Office forecasts warmer temperatures for Easter weekend

15:30 , Tara Cobham

The Met Office has forecast warmer temperatures for the Easter weekend than those of recent days.

The forecaster said Britons can expect rising temperatures for their bank holiday weekend, with highs of 16C predicted for Sunday.

📈 Temperatures are on the rise over the Easter weekend, with highs of 16°C on Sunday pic.twitter.com/ngJaIPj0xX — Met Office (@metoffice) March 29, 2024

15:04 , Tara Cobham

Ted Hennessey reports:

Met Office reveals latest forecast for Easter weekend

14:30 , Tara Cobham

The Met Office has revealed its latest forecast for the Easter weekend.

The forecaster warned of a risk of thunder later today.

If you have any travelling plans 🚌 or attending an Easter Egg hunt 🥚 outside then you may want to know the latest weather forecast for the #Easter weekend Find out all the details below 👇 pic.twitter.com/AbofPAFM70 — Met Office (@metoffice) March 29, 2024

14:00 , Tara Cobham

The Port of Dover has warned delays of up to two hours continue, blaming the backlog on the “adverse weather”.

As of 2pm on Friday, the port said the processing time for tourists was two hours in the wake of Storm Nelson, which battered the UK with wind and rain, causing major travel disruption across the country.

At 2pm the processing time for tourists is up to 2 hours from arrival at the Port as we continue to clear the backlog from the adverse weather. Thank you for your patience — Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) March 29, 2024

13:56 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

On the railways, passengers are having to cope with a combination of planned disruption – in the shape of Network Rail engineering closures – and unexpected chaos.

The closure of the West Coast main line between London Euston and Milton Keynes for a upgrade was flagged months in advance, and many people made their journeys between London, the West Midlands, northwest England and southern Scotland late on Thursday before the line was blocked.

The main trans-Pennine route has buses running instead of trains between Manchester and Huddersfield – again, advertised well ahead.

Much of the “on the day” disruption involves Great Western Railway, which serves the West of England and South Wales from London Paddington. The main line to Exeter, the rest of Devon and Cornwall has been closed since last night due to flooding between Newbury and Westbury.

The rail firm is telling passengers: “The flood water has now subsided, however there has been significant damage to the railway infrastructure so Network Rail need to keep the line closed in order to make the railway safe. This disruption is expected to last until the end of the day.

“Our high speed trains between London Paddington and the southwest will divert between Reading and Taunton.”

The trans-Wiltshire railway from Westbury to Swindon is also closed.

Local stations are being linked by taxis organised by GWR.

Simon Calder travel advice: When to renew your passport before visiting Europe

13:30 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

Since Brexit , the rules on passport validity for British visitors to the European Union have tightened.

Gone are the days when you could travel to the EU at any point before your travel document expired; the UK is now a “third country”, with rules to match.

Added confusion has come in the form of the UK’s own HM Passport Office, which has continued to give out incorrect information regarding child passport expiry dates .

These are the key questions and answers based on EU rules:

Easter travel chaos: How bad will it be?

13:00 , Tara Cobham

The great Easter getaway could see travellers caught up in delays by road , ferry, rail and air. In a normal year there would be a gap between most schools breaking up and the long weekend. But with Easter falling so early the two are combined. Term is ending at many schools on Thursday 28 March, putting extra pressure on transportation.

At least three major UK airports – Bristol, Newcastle and Edinburgh – have told The Independent this will be their busiest Easter ever. Some airlines are predicting record numbers for the spell between Good Friday and Easter Monday. Geneva routes will be extremely busy with winter sports fans, while Malaga, Alicante, Faro and Tenerife are the leading spring sunshine holiday destinations.

Among city breaks, Amsterdam , Barcelona, Dublin, Paris and Rome are the most popular. Dubai , Orlando and New York are the key longer-haul destinations.

Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:

Easter travel chaos: How bad will it be and when are the worst time to travel?

In pictures: Travellers at Liverpool Street station as getaway continues for Easter weekend

12:35 , Tara Cobham

Watch: Queues at Dover as Easter getaway underway

12:34 , Tara Cobham

Dover delays for post-Brexit passport checks

11:32 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

Once again queues have built up for French passport control at the Port of Dover, where frontier formalities are carried out before boarding ferries to France. Since Brexit, officials are required to scrutinise and stamp UK passports.

The port is warning of two-hour delays.

P&O Ferries has tweeted: "Ahoy travellers. We are aware of the queues in Dover. Please rest assured that if you miss your sailing, we will put you on the next available ship once you reach check in."

The current processing time is around 2 hours for tourists after arriving at the port, which is as planned for our peak hours. Thank you for your patience as we work with our partners to get you on your way ASAP — Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) March 29, 2024

In pictures: Wind and rain batters UK as Londoners seen setting off for long weekend

10:53 , Tara Cobham

Respect the liquids rule, says Manchester airport boss

10:47 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester airport, has been giving advice to travellers heading abroad this weekend.

Speaking to The Independent’s daily travel podcast, the airport boss said: “There's been a lot of talk in the news about the new liquids and laptops rules. The reality is that pretty much every UK airport is in the process of changing. So if you're coming to an airport, do make sure you still get your liquids and your laptops ready to come out of your bag.

“If you come to [Manchester airport] Terminal 2 today, there's a reasonable chance you'll go through one of those new lanes, and that's great. It just means you don't have to take the things out of your bag.

“We're in the middle of a £1.3 billion transformation programme. In the next 12 months we are going to spend half a billion pounds on improving Terminal 2, investing in those new security scanning machines and really pushing on to make Manchester airport the place the people in the North can be proud of.”

Listen to the full episode here:

March 29th - Manchester Airport reaches for the skies | Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

In pictures: Passengers descend on King’s Cross Station on Good Friday

10:45 , Tara Cobham

Almost 200 flood warnings and alerts in place across UK

10:10 , Tara Cobham

Almost 200 flood warnings and alerts are in place across the UK.

As of Friday morning, 163 flood alerts had been issued by the Environment Agency (EA), meaning flooding in those areas is possible, while 30 flood warnings were in place in areas where flooding is expected.

In pictures: Cars pass Stonehenge in Wiltshire on A303 as Easter getaway continues

10:07 , Tara Cobham

AA warns electric vehicle drivers to have sufficient charge – or risk fines and penalty points

10:04 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

The AA is warning drivers of electric vehicles to ensure they have sufficient charge – or risk fines and penalty points.

Jack Cousens, head of road policy at the motoring organisation, said: “There can be some genuine reasons for running out of fuel or electric charge such as a faulty gauge, charging fault or undetected fuel leak.

"On occasions, cars may get stuck in jams for hours due to bad winter weather or miles of disruption leading to Channel ports which could result in running out of fuel or charge running low. Hence, we advise to always have at least one-quarter of a tank of fuel or sufficient charge to account for diversions if some chargers aren’t working.

“Most of the out-of-fuel cases the AA sees are a result of driver misjudgement, and the police have the power to give a warning or a penalty if it is deemed to be careless driving or causes an obstruction. If you are running low, you can use the AA route planner to find the closest and cheapest fuel and the nearest charging point.”

Met Office reveals weather extremes of Thursday after day brought ‘real mix'

09:58 , Tara Cobham

The Met Office has said Thursday brought a “real mix” of weather as it revealed the extremes of the day.

The UK saw snow, hail, thunder, rain, gales and sunshine, as temperatures plunged to below freezing in some areas and as high as 12.5C in others.

There was a real mix of weather on Thursday with snow, hail, thunder, rain, gales and even sunshine! Here are the extremes...👇 pic.twitter.com/53V6COvjwe — Met Office (@metoffice) March 29, 2024

In pictures: Passengers at Manchester airport at start of Easter getaway

09:54 , Tara Cobham

One of UK’s main motorway arteries, the A1(M), is closed today, warns AA president

09:53 , Tara Cobham

The president of the AA is warning that one of the UK’s main motorway arteries, the A1(M), is closed today.

Edmund King has said the road is shut on Friday at J6 northbound between Welwyn and Stevenage for roadworks.

He added that the M20 is slow towards Dover.

A1M closed today at J6 northbound Welwyn Stevenage for roadworks. M20 slow towards Dover. — Edmund King OBE (@AAPresident) March 29, 2024

Port of Dover report passengers face delays of well over an hour

09:42 , Tara Cobham

Major queues have been seen at the Port of Dover as passengers face delays of well over an hour.

The Port of Dover was reporting on Friday morning that the processing time for cars arriving at the port was 70 minutes.

Both tourist and coach traffic flowing well through border controls, with the current processing time for cars upon arrival at the port now 70 minutes. Thank you for your patience during this busy day for travel — Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) March 29, 2024

09:00 , Tara Cobham

Warning over Easter ‘carmageddon’ traffic chaos – which day will see the worst traffic?

08:30 , Tara Cobham

Drivers are being warned of chaos on roads over the Easter weekend, with as many as 18.5 million car trips planned at the start of school holidays .

Those setting out on their journeys are likely to encounter delays from Thursday 28 March, when children break up at the end of term, into Good Friday, with one specialist warning that it could be “carmageddon” for those making their getaways.

The overall travel picture should not be as bad as in 2023, when the Easter weekend coincided with strikes that led to the cancellation and delays of dozens of flights and widespread rail engineering work.

Benjamin Parker reports:

These are the worst days for Easter traffic after ‘carmageddon’ warning

In pictures: Passengers queue for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent

08:16 , Tara Cobham

Manchester United fans risk being stranded after kick off time change

08:00 , Tara Cobham

Manchester United fans have spoken out in anger against the decision to move their Premier League match against Brentford at the weekend to the late kick off time.

The match is due to kick off at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 30 March at 8pm GMT.

The kick off time is just two minutes before the last train is scheduled to depart London St Pancras for Manchester Piccadilly. London Euston is not in service this weekend because of engineering works between London and Milton Keynes.

Sonia Twigg reports:

Why Manchester United fans have been left fuming by Brentford kick-off time

Manchester Piccadilly station almost deserted

07:21 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

One of the UK’s busiest rail hubs, Manchester Piccadilly, is extremely quiet this morning. Two of the key routes from the station are closed for Network Rail engineering work: the West Coast main line to London Euston and the main trans-Pennine route to Huddersfield and Leeds.

From Manchester to London, the journey time is nearly doubled to around four hours. Avanti West Coast trains are running as far south as Milton Keynes Central, from where rail replacement buses are running to Bedford for a connection to East Midlands Railway.

Buses are also replacing trains between Manchester and Huddersfield.

Disruption on other lines began early, with Northern trains from Manchester Piccadilly to the airport delayed.

One week from today, no Avanti West Coast trains will run because of a strike involving train drivers belonging to the Aslef union.

Stansted airport cut off from London by rail

07:17 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

Passengers heading for the UK’s fourth-busiest airport, London Stansted, face big potential problems this morning. The Stansted Express railway line from the capital to the airport is not running, with “major disruption” expected until 10.30am.

A falling tree brought down overhead wires near the station of Stansted Mountfitchet. Some trains are running to Bishop’s Stortford, where taxis are available. But on one of the busiest days of the year so far for the Essex airport, it seems inevitable that some airline passengers will miss their flights.

National Rail is telling passengers: “Customers are asked NOT TO TRAVEL between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.

“Tickets for today will be accepted tomorrow.”

Trains to and from Cambridge are also affected, but passengers can use an alternative line from London King's Cross.

Normally four trains per hour would run each way between Stansted and London Liverpool Street, with capacity for more than 2,000 passengers.

UK airports bracing for two million holidaymakers over Easter weekend

07:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Two million British holidaymakers are set to jet off abroad over the Easter weekend, with one airport bracing for “record-breaking” passenger numbers.

Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands are among the most popular destinations amid wet and windy weather forecast for the UK, although trips to Dublin are also in demand.

Travel trade organisation Abta said airports are reporting “strong numbers”, with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.

Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “It’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend - that’s up 7% on April 2023.”

Glasgow predicts more than 90,000 passengers over the four days, while Birmingham Airport said it expects a 27.2% increase in departures on last year over the full Easter period.

Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, advised: “If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they’re easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.”

Liverpool Airport expects around 60,000 passengers over the four days, which is around 7% higher than last year.

Weather warnings for wind and rain issued ahead of Easter weekend

05:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Met Office said the forecast for the Easter weekend remained “unsettled” but “bright and breezy”, with temperatures of up to 15C in west London and 14C in Manchester on Sunday, which was typical for this time of year.

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With plenty of classic early spring weather over the Easter bank holiday weekend, drivers getting away will definitely need to be on their guard and ready to cope with rapidly changing road conditions.

“Slowing down in the heaviest of downpours on Good Friday and Easter Saturday is a must as stopping distances will be far greater.”

UK airport expects record weekend as Easter egg warning issued

03:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Two million holidaymakers are set to jet off over the Easter weekend , with one airport bracing for “record-breaking” passenger numbers.

Turkey , Dubai and the Canary Islands are among the most popular destinations amid wet and windy weather forecast for the UK, although trips to Dublin are also in demand.

Travel trade organisation Abta said airports are reporting “strong numbers”, with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted , 105,000 from Luton , 160,000 from Manchester , 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.

02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Barred from Europe: 2.4m Brits caught in post-Brexit passport chaos

00:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Millions of Britons are barred from entering the EU by post-Brexit passport rules that are set to cause chaos over the Easter holidays.

With the getaway starting in earnest on Thursday, an estimated 2.4 million travellers have documents that can’t be used for trips to the EU because of the change in expiry requirements .

Since Brexit, British passports must have an issue date less than 10 years old on the day of departure to the EU, and must have at least three months left before their expiry date on the intended day of return. But millions of passports issued prior to September 2018 have longer validity periods.

Thursday 28 March 2024 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Easter warning to drivers over bank holiday weekend after snow falls in Devon and Wales

Thursday 28 March 2024 21:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Drivers in some parts of the country have been warned to take “extreme care” after snow fell overnight ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Snow settled in areas of Devon and Wales overnight as the weather over the next few days is set to be chilly and drizzly.

According to the RAC, 14 million people are due to travel on the roads this weekend with some popular routes taking double the amount of time they usually would.

Easter warning to drivers over bank holiday after snow falls in Devon and Wales

Thursday 28 March 2024 19:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thursday 28 March 2024 18:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

UK Border Force staff to strike at Heathrow airport

Thursday 28 March 2024 18:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

More than 600 Border Force officers deployed at Heathrow airport will walk out for four days from 11 April – potentially causing chaos as families return from Easter holidays.

The strike by members of the PCS union has been timed to hit the busiest days for arrival at the UK’s biggest airport.

In a ballot that closed last week, PCS members who carry out immigration controls and passport checks at Heathrow airport voted by nine to one to walk out over a new roster and imposed changes to shift patterns.

The union says the changes could see as many as 250 staff losing their jobs.

The PCS general secretary, Fran Heathcote, said: “Ministers have 14 days to withdraw these unfair and unnecessary proposals or our members at Heathrow will take strike action.

“Consultation with staff has been a farce, with our members having little or no choice about the new arrangements.

“Ripping up flexible working arrangements is no way to treat staff especially, as the government says, their work is critical to our nation’s security.

“Some members are heart-broken that the Border Force has become ‘unprofessional and inhumane’.

“If the government is serious about border security, it should look at Border Force officers’ job security, look after its staff, scrap the changes and work with us to protect jobs and working conditions.”

The Independent has asked the Home Office for a response

Airport packed for Easter getaway hopefuls as planes struggle to land

Thursday 28 March 2024 17:08 , Athena Stavrou

Airports are packed with eager holidaymakers today as planes face difficulty landing amid extreme winds and heavy rain.

Drivers, rail passengers and now jet-setters are facing travel chaos as many attempt to get their Easter weekend started.

Two million holidaymakers are set to take flight over the weekend, with one airport bracing for “record-breaking” passenger numbers.

Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: ‘It’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend - that’s up 7 per cent on April 2023.’

It comes as dramatic footage showed an easyJet flight from Faro abort a landing at Gatwick Airport in heavy rain and strong winds at around 12:30pm.

The Airbus A320 wobbles from side to side before pulling up again to avoid disaster. It landed ten minutes later successfully.

Not very Great Western Railway

Thursday 28 March 2024 17:03 , Simon Calder

Rail passengers hoping to travel between London Paddington, the West of England and South Wales face an Easter full of problems.

The main line from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads is blocked because of flooding.

Passengers are being told by GWR: “Network Rail advise that due to flooding at Christian Malford, only one line is currently available between Swindon and Chippenham, meaning trains will have to ‘take it in turns’ to use the one available track.

“This will cause delays on the route between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads via Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa.”

On Sunday, the main line west of the capital will be disrupted in the morning due to emergency engineering works to sets of points.

Passengers are warned: “Emergency engineering works will affect services between London Paddington and Reading this Sunday. Customers are advised not to travel until midday.

“Repairs need to be undertaken to sets of points over Saturday night and Sunday morning to prevent further disruption affecting more passengers after the weekend.

“Trains will continue to operate between Reading and Bristol, South Wales, and Devon and Cornwall. However, there may be short-notice changes and cancellations, and customers are advised to check journeys beforehand.

“We’re very sorry for any inconvenience caused. Ticket acceptance will be in place with South Western Railway between Waterloo and Reading, and Chiltern Railways between Marylebone and Oxford.”

Attractions forced to shut amid extreme weather

Thursday 28 March 2024 17:01 , Athena Stavrou

People looking for a fun day out in some areas of the UK had their plans ruined today as the extreme weather forced some attractions to close.

Kew Gardens in London closed early at 3pm due to the wet and window conditions along with areas of Bushy Park and Kensington Gardens.

Dartmoor Zoo in Devon - which saw snow fall over night - also shut due to the wind alongside some National Trust sites including Needles Old Battery and Mottisfont Gardens in Hampshire

Nearly three inches of snow was recorded this morning at Sennybridge in Powys, Wales, while two inches fell overnight just north of Dartmoor.

Ferries cancelled as Storm Nelson brings extreme winds

Thursday 28 March 2024 16:56 , Athena Stavrou

Ferries have been cancelled and delayed today due to strong winds as Briton’s Easter getaway plans are left in tatters.

DFDS was forced to cancel some ferries from Dover to Calais and Dieppe to Newhaven on Thursday as sea conditions grew dangerous.

There is a yellow weather warning for wind currently in place in the south of England which predicts the possibility of road, rail, air and ferry disruption.

The Port of Dover also warned passengers that the English channel was “rough with a strong south-easterly breeze, force six”.

The Met Office has warned of wind gusts of up to 70mph in coastal areas today as Spanish-named Storm Nelson begins to wreak havoc on the country.

Plane forced to abort landing amid extreme winds

Thursday 28 March 2024 16:47 , Athena Stavrou

A plane was forced to abort a landing at Gatwick Aiport today as Easter getaway hopes are dashed for Britons across the UK.

Dramatic footage showed an easyJet flight from Daro attempt to land in heavy rain and strong winds at around 12:30pm.

It comes as Spanish meteorologists named Storm Nelson as it makes its way over to the UK. It is expected to bring gusts of up to 50mph in most places with warnings that winds could reach up to 60 to 70mph in exposed coastal areas.

London Euston station ‘extremely busy’ as travellers seek to beat line closure

Thursday 28 March 2024 16:26 , Athena Stavrou

London Euston, one of the UK’s busiest stations, is extremely busy as travellers seek to reach their destinations ahead of the line closure.

The terminus will be closed to all regional and long-distance trains throughout the Easter weekend.

From Good Friday to Easter Monday, Network Rail is closing the West Coast main line between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.

New track will be laid near Kensal Green tunnel and a busy junction just south of Milton Keynes will be replaced.

The best diversion line for the West Midlands is the Chiltern route from London Marylebone to Birmingham, while London St Pancras is expected to be extremely busy with passengers heading for Sheffield and onwards to Manchester and elsewhere in northwest England.

Caledonian Sleeper trains will run to and from London King’s Cross – where the East Coast main line is expected to be running normally.

Thursday 28 March 2024 15:30 , Athena Stavrou

Devon County Council issued a warning to motorists, adding: “Our gangs have been working all night to keep the roads passable but drive with extreme care, avoid high roads and stick to main roads where possible.”

Read the full story here:

Thursday 28 March 2024 15:00 , Athena Stavrou

Two million holidaymakers are set to jet off over the Easter weekend, with one airport bracing for “record-breaking” passenger numbers.

Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, warned people flying with chocolate: “If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they’re easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.”

What are the busiest routes this weekend?

Thursday 28 March 2024 14:19 , Athena Stavrou

The RAC has warned that 14 million drivers could be facing long delays as they set off on their Easter getaways this bank holiday weekend.

The busiest routes are expected to be:

The M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 in Hertfordshire

M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton

M3 between the M25 and the south coast

Full list of Avanti West Coast disruptions

Thursday 28 March 2024 13:30 , Athena Stavrou

Here is a helpful list of all the affected Avanti West Coast services and stations impacted by engineering works this bank holiday weekend.

No trains will be running from London Euston as the busy station will be closed for all but Overground services.

Planning a trip over Easter? Our services will be severely impacted by engineering work from 29 Mar to 1 Apr. Journeys will take longer and some will involve bus replacement. We strongly recommend you travel either side of the Easter weekend. Check your journey 👉… pic.twitter.com/n1th99sfhD — Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) February 15, 2024

Rail passengers warned not to travel as London Euston shuts over bank holiday weekend

Thursday 28 March 2024 12:45 , Athena Stavrou

Rail passengers have been warned to “travel either side of the Easter weekend” as London Euston is set to shut for the entire weekend.

Major improvements to track mean the busy station will be closing for all but Overground services from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

Network Rail has advised travellers to avoid the West Coast main line during the bank holiday, adding that engineering works between London and Milton Keynes. will also impact southern routes to and from London.

Replacement bus services will be in effect on various routes, and passengers have been urged to check their journeys in advance as they might face longer travel times.

Further train cancellations and delays

Thursday 28 March 2024 12:18 , Athena Stavrou

Extreme flooding is wreaking havoc in the South West today as several lines are forced to close on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Great Western Railway said all lines are closed between Westbury and Swindon until at least 2pm.

“Due to flooding across the railway network this morning, we need to reutilise the Melksham line for other purposes,” it said.

“As a result trains between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham are suspended until further notice.”

There have also been delays and cancellations between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, Westbury and Weymouth, Reading and Taunton and Sindon and Chippenham.

Severe delays on the M1

Thursday 28 March 2024 11:21 , Athena Stavrou

There are reports of severe delays on the M1 northbound between junctions J25 and J27.

According to AA, motorists are facing delays of 44 minutes with an average speed of five mph.

It is expected to clear later this morning.

Chaos on Great Western Railway

Thursday 28 March 2024 10:39 , Simon Calder

On one of the busiest days of the year for rail travel, flooding is causing chaos on the Great Western Railway between London Paddington, southwest England, Bristol and South Wales.

The line between Reading and Taunton is partially blocked with disruption expected until the rest of the day. GWR said: “We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Flooding on the railway between Reading and Taunton has resulted in some signal failures along this route. Network Rail are working to rectify the faults. This means that our high speed services between Reading and Taunton have to run at reduced speeds through the affected areas. The line towards Taunton is now blocked due to further flooding.

“Our high speed services from London Paddington towards Devon and Cornwall will be diverted between Reading and Taunton which will add delay to your journey.”

Unfortunately the main diversion route is also experiencing problems. High-speed trains heading west from Swindon in Wiltshire to Bristol and Cardiff are having to reduce their speed from 125mph to just 5mph as a result of flooding on the line.

“Trains may be delayed by up to 30 minutes, cancelled or diverted as a result,” says National Rail.

Easter travel chaos: how bad will it be?

Thursday 28 March 2024 10:09 , Athena Stavrou

The great Easter getaway could see travellers caught up in delays by road , ferry, rail and air.

In a normal year there would be a gap between most schools breaking up and the long weekend. But with Easter falling so early the two are combined.

My colleague Simon Calder has explained the Easter travel situation and how bad it might be:

Windy weather in Cornwall as millions head off on getaways

Thursday 28 March 2024 10:07 , Athena Stavrou

Around 14 million Britons are due to hit the road today as many head off on their Easter getaways.

Many will be heading for staycations in popular UK holiday spots such as Devon and Cornwall. However, pictures from Cornwall this morning show some windy and gloomy conditions.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for wind today in some parts of the south of England and showers are expected throughout the weekend.

Welcome to our liveblog

Thursday 28 March 2024 09:41 , Athena Stavrou

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on the Easter bank holiday traffic.

Huge delays are expected on the roads this afternoon as many head off on their weekend getaways.

Rail passengers have also been affected by cancellations and engineering works.

We’ll be bringing you the latest news as it happens.

14 million to hit the road this Easter bank holiday weekend

Thursday 28 March 2024 09:25 , Athena Stavrou

Drivers have been warned of huge traffic delays as millions of people are set to hit the road this bank holiday weekend.

The RAC warned journeys on the road could take up to twice as long as usual as 14 million people are expected to set off.

“With Easter falling earlier than usual at the start of the school holidays, it could be carmageddon for holidaymakers,” an RAC breakdown spokesperson said.

Journeys on the M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 in Hertfordshire are expected to take more than two hours, while the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton is also likely to be congested.

Thursday 28 March 2024 22:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

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Easter getaway: best and worst roads and times to travel

March 25, 2024 by John Rawlings

Peak traffic expected on Thursday 28th March and Good Friday
Thursday 28th March: traffic predicted to be busiest from 2pm to 7pm
Thursday 28th March: busiest route expected to be M25 between M23 to M1
Good Friday: traffic holdups most likely between 11am and 3pm
Good Friday: busiest roads – M5 from Bristol to Taunton; M3 from M25 to south coast

To make your Easter road trip as ‘eggscellent’ as possible, these tips on when the most popular roads will be at their busiest could save adding extra hours to your journey.

As the first Bank Holiday of 2024, Easter will be a popular time to getaway, but data from a study of motorists by the RAC and INRIX estimates that traffic will peak on Good Friday between 11am and 3pm when 2.6m cars could be on the UK’s roads. The best time to travel on that day is expected to be after 5pm, if you can, and the roads likely to be the busiest are the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton, and the M3 from the M25 to the south coast with journey times taking twice as long as usual.

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It won’t be much better the day before either as nearly two million cars are expected to try to beat the Good Friday rush by travelling on Thursday 28 March when the worst times for traffic congestion are expected to be between 2pm and 7pm. If possible, aim to be on the roads before or after those times.

The busiest road on that Thursday before Easter is thought to be the M25 in both directions between the junctions with the M23 in Surrey and the M1 in Hertfordshire with delays predicted to add two hours to anyone travelling on this stretch.

Easter Saturday and Sunday will, of course, also be busy with 2.3m cars likely to be out and about, with peak periods of 10am to 12pm and 11am to 1pm, respectively.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Anyone who can delay leaving on Thursday 28 March until much later in the evening or set off as early as possible on Good Friday is likely to have a better journey than those who travel during the peak periods of the day. On every journey there are key pinch points where you can save yourself lots of valuable time if you can get through before everyone else. This will be especially true over the whole Easter holidays as our research shows two-thirds (64%) of drivers will be making a leisure journey on major roads at some point.”

With many taking a whole week’s holiday over Easter, traffic is predicted to peak again as people make their return journey on Friday 5 April. The M5 is expected to be a traffic hotspot at about 3pm that day with delays of up to 2.5 hours.

If your Easter trip is the first long distance your car has travelled for a while, to reduce the risk of any issues or breakdowns, check it is in as good condition as possible before you go.

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Travel Updates

Best and worst times to leave on your Easter road trip

If you’re hoping for a stress-free getaway, make sure you don’t travel on this day. This is when you should considering leaving instead.

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It’s that time of year again; the one we look forward to and also despair about in almost equal doses.

Because along with the public holidays and much-valued extra time we gain with our families – and the copious amounts of Easter chocolate – comes the inevitable traffic nightmare we have to deal with to travel pretty much anywhere.

But what if you could avoid the worst of the gridlock and spend more time actually relaxing with your loved ones?

It is possible, and the secret is all in the timing.

NSW and Sydney Easter traffic

In Sydney, the pre-Easter peak started on Thursday morning and will be heaviest leaving the city in the afternoon and evening, the state’s transport department predicts. Also, around 10am on Good Friday is another peak time to avoid.

So for those wanting to know a good time to leave, early on Friday morning could be a good chance to avoid congestion.

“Transport for NSW will have traffic management initiatives in place at the major known pinch points, but travellers should still be prepared to experience delays,” the NSW government said.

“There may also be other corridors in regional NSW that could experience higher than normal traffic volumes during the Easter holidays.”

Expected chokepoints in NSW are the major roads heading out of Sydney such as the M1 Pacific Motorway, Great Western Highway, Hume Motorway, Princes Highway, Hume, Princes, Kings, Great Western and Pacific highways in the regions.

Travellers are also warned that maintenance work will take place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge across the long weekend.

Melbourne and Victoria Easter traffic

The congestion begins from 3pm on Thursday in Victoria and remains until around 9pm, when it starts to ease. The following day, it begins to build from around 7am and reaches a peak between 11am and midday.

The traffic continues to hold steady before easing around 7pm on Good Friday, according to the state’s Department of Transport

“With millions of people set to travel on roads around the state over the Easter weekend, we ask that drivers plan ahead, ensure they’re well rested, eliminate distractions and never drive while affected by drugs or alcohol,” the spokesperson said.

The Melbourne roads that are likely to be busy on Thursday and Friday include West Gate Freeway, Princes Freeway, Western Freeway, Maroonday Highway and Monash Freeway.

The West Gate freeway will be affected. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Queensland and Brisbane Easter traffic

Meanwhile, in Brisbane traffic begins to become busier from midday on Thursday, especially along the Bruce Highway and Pacific Motorway. On Good Friday the gridlock begins from 10am, with the peak continuing until about 2pm.

Driving outside of peak time is best, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) said. So ideally people should pick times that are not between midmorning or midafternoon. This makes early morning a better idea if possible.

“If you plan on hitting the road for the Easter break, our advice is to allow as much time as possible for delays and aim to drive outside of peak hours if you can,” RACQ Traffic and Engineering Manager Greg Miszkowycz said.

“Traffic can be frustrating, but we must keep a cool head and not let it get the better of us, and the best way to do that is to leave earlier or travel during off-peak times to make sure we’re not stressed about being late.”

He said motorists travelling in Queensland should expect congestion both north and south of Brisbane, on the Gateway and Bruce Highway towards the Sunshine Coast and on the Pacific Motorway towards the Gold Coast.

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Drivers heading to Port of Dover over Easter warned to expect severe delays after Moscow terror attack

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By Hemma Visavadia

Published: 26/03/2024

Updated: 26/03/2024

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Britons travelling to the Port of Dover in Kent over the coming weeks are being warned that they may face delays due to tightened security checks following the Moscow concert attack.

Due to the attack on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Russia, on the western edge of Moscow, border force patrols are being more vigilant.

The Port of Dover in Kent issued the alert as French authorities increased border monitoring after more than 135 people were killed in the Russian capital on Friday night after Isis-K claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

It is estimated around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Monday, with the busiest days likely to be Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

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It is estimated around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Monday

A spokesperson for the Port of Dover said: “France has heightened its border security checks following the attack in Moscow on Friday.

“These measures may increase border processing times at the port.

“Please be mindful of this when travelling to the port and check with your ferry operator for arrival times.”

Drivers across the UK are being warned of long delays as more than 14 million people hit the roads during the Easter period.

The RAC warned that journeys may take twice as long as normal as the bank holiday weekend coincides with the start of the school holidays.

Transport analysis company Inrix predicted that traffic will be the worst on Thursday between 2pm and 7pm with drivers urged to take care and prepare in advance for their journey.

The busiest route is expected to be the western section of the M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 for Hertfordshire, according to Inrix.

Journeys along this route are expected to take over two hours from the peak time of 4pm, which is more than twice as long as usual.

To combat delays, National Highways said it would halt 850 miles of roadworks by 6am on Thursday until April 2.

Andy Butterfield, customer services director at National Highways, said: “This is the first bank holiday of the year, so we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.

“We are doing what we can to make journeys easier by removing miles of roadworks, but I would encourage everyone to take some time, plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is prepared for what might be a long journey.”

Drivers are reminded that Operation Brock will remain in place on the M20 heading into the Port of Dover with traffic notices updated frequently.

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Operation Brock will remain in place on the M20 heading into the Port of Dover

National Highways has announced plans to suspend 850 miles of roadworks during the bank holiday weekend to ease congestion along major travel routes.

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Fears for traffic on Cotswold lanes with Jeremy Clarkson pub opening

Oxfordshire county council is considering a 20mph speed reduction on approaches to the a40, article bookmarked.

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Locals are concerned about standstill traffic around the Burford pub

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The grand opening of Jeremy Clarkson ’s Oxfordshire pub could be overshadowed by potential traffic issues on the busy A40 during the August bank holiday weekend.

The pub in Burford, Oxfordshire – formerly The Windmill, now The Farmer’s Dog under Clarkson’s reign – will open to the public at midday on Friday (23 August).

Oxfordshire County Council has already introduced new traffic measures to cope with the predicted crowds at the British produce-only pub, and is considering lowering the speed limit in the area.

Clarkson paid close to £1 million to purchase the five-acre site and a large marquee has been erected on the grounds ahead of the inaugural pints of Hawkstone lager this weekend.

The Farmer’s Dog Instagram account posted a picture of a fox-red labrador captioned “The Farmer’s Dog opens Friday 23rd August 12pm ..OX18 4HJ ///grinders.fruits.pints #backbritishfarmingdrinkhawkstone ..follow us to get the latest news” yesterday.

Some locals commented with worries that “chaos” could ensue on the roads near the pub.

One wrote: “I do worry about traffic though. I popped by the farm shop at the weekend. It was utter chaos.

“The massive new car park was rammed as well as a new overflow one they have made in a field across the road.

“We didn’t stop as the marshals in hi viz told us the queue was over two hours. I’ve been before on a busy day, but this was insane.”

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Several measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking-related problems, and to support the safe and successful opening of the site.”

“The layby located on the A40 opposite the pub will be temporarily closed as a precautionary safety measure to prevent its use by those visiting the pub who would then need to have crossed the busy A40 on foot.”

They added, “Consideration is being given to a reduction in the speed limit from the existing 60mph to 40mph to improve safety on each of the approaches to the A40 roundabout, including that of the B4047.”

Liam Walker, County Councillor for the Hanborough and Minster Lovell Division on Oxfordshire County Council, warned locals on Facebook last week that “Jeremy Clarkson will be opening his pub next weekend (Bank Holiday weekend) on the Asthall roundabout on the A40 so expect delays in the area…”

Walker said that he is “working on getting mitigations in place to reduce traffic and parking issues” to ensure “lessons have been learnt from the farm shop”.

Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm shop has been plagued with snaking queues since it opened, and plans for a 70-vehicle car park on the farm plot were originally opposed by Oxfordshire County Council.

Tourists visiting for a behind-the-scenes look at the Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm have caused the car park to hit max capacity by midday on most weekends as they queue for ‘cow juice’, homemade spreads and brioche burgers at the Chadlington hotspot.

The RAC has already predicted heavier bank holiday traffic than at any time since it started recording data in 2015. Delays are expected on roads serving coastal resorts and on routes for the Leeds and Reading music festivals.

Transport analytics specialists Inrix expect delays to last all day on Friday and Saturday, with the worst times to travel between 10am and 6pm on Friday and 10am and 1pm on Saturday.

RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With the end of the school holidays fast approaching, it seems day trips will be the main cause of traffic this weekend.

“Whether you’re off to a festival, the coast or a theme park, or meeting up with friends and family elsewhere, the usual trusted advice applies: leave as early as you can to avoid the jams or be prepared to sit in some lengthy queues.”

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Port of Dover issues Easter getaway warning for thousands

People preparing to embark on Easter getaways from the Port of Dover are being warned they may face long delays.

The Kent port issued an alert as French authorities stepped up border monitoring due to tighter security checks following the Moscow concert attack where more than 130 people were killed.

Juxtaposed border controls mean French officials check passports at the Port of Dover before people board cross-Channel ferries.

Around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Monday, with the busiest days likely to be Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

The port said in a statement: “ France has heightened its border security checks following the attack in Moscow on Friday.

“These measures may increase border processing times at the port.

“Please be mindful of this when travelling to the port and check with your ferry operator for arrival times.”

Drivers across the UK are being warned over long delays as more than 14 million Easter getaway trips are expected to take place.

The RAC said journeys on some popular routes could take twice as long as normal as the bank holiday weekend coincides with the start of a two-week holiday for many schools, leading to a surge in traffic.

Transport analysis company Inrix predicted that the worst congestion on Thursday will be between 2pm and 7pm as people on leisure journeys compete for road space with regular commuters.

The busiest route is expected to be the western section of the M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 for Hertfordshire.

Journeys on this stretch from 4pm are expected to take over two hours, which is more than twice as long as usual.

National Highways announced it will lift more than 850 miles of roadworks by 6am on Thursday and they will not be put back until April 2.

Andy Butterfield, customer services director at the Government-owned company, said: “This is the first bank holiday of the year, so we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.

Network Rail is urging train passengers to check their journey details before they travel as some major routes will be closed due to engineering work.

The West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes will be shut for four days from Good Friday.

There will also be disruption in the areas around Glasgow and Huddersfield.

Network Rail’s network strategy director Laurence Bowman said: “There’s never a good time to do the work we need to do but the four days of the bank holiday, when fewer people are travelling, give us the opportunity to do major work we couldn’t do on a normal weekend.”

Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated £3.2 billion boost to the economy.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

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Drivers heading to Port of Dover over Easter warned to expect severe
Britons travelling to the Port of Dover in Kent over the coming weeks are being warned that they may face delays due to tightened security checks following the Moscow concert attack. Due to the attack on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Russia, on the western edge of Moscow, border force patrols are being more vigilant.
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