Good Friday carnage kicks off with bumper-to-bumper traffic & train lines SHUT as 1,000s risk Easter breaks ruined
GOOD Friday travel chaos has kicked off with bumper-to-bumper traffic and train lines shut leaving thousands at risk of a ruined break.
Drivers are currently battling through ‘carmageddon‘ as millions move around the country – while those catching the Dover ferry wait in long lines.
Crucial trains linking cities and airports have also been cancelled threatening to ruin the holidays of thousands.
Manchester United football fans look set to be stuck in London later after train cancellations saw the last return train tonight leave only two minutes after kick off.
Two million people are expected to take flight this weekend with Bristol, Newcastle, and Edinburgh airports expecting their busiest weekend ever.
The highest number of departures at London Gatwick are expected to be on Easter Sunday.
But, bad weather threatens to cancel flights, slow down traffic, and has already brought some rail to a halt.
Those looking to escape the country out of Stansted have had their day made more difficult after the airport was cut off from London by rail.
The Stansted Express railway has been brought to a halt after a falling tree brought down overhead wires near Stansted Mountfitchet.
This could see thousands miss their flights to Europe or have to pay for an expensive alternate way to reach the station.
Great Western Railway has also closed multiple lines on Thursday due to flooding with all lines between Westbury and Swindon closed.
The main line between Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads is also closed.
A whopping 18.5million car trips have been planned to start the school holidays with the chaos being described as ‘carmageddon’.
The RAC predicted that more than 2.6million journeys will be made today, with 600,000 having already been made yesterday.
Drivers have been urged to avoid one major motorway over the Easter break as experts have revealed the three-hour peak congestion window.
Experts are advising travellers to be weary of traffic during the three hours on Easter Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 2pm.
Five ways to avoid Easter travel chaos
Best time to leave home?
The best time to leave is either early in the morning or late into the evening and night.
The worst time of day to travel is in the middle, with experts saying traffic will peak between 10am and 3pm.
Which motorways are worst?
The roads to avoid on Friday are the M5 from Bristol to Taunton and the M3 from the M25 to the south coast.
On Saturday, the worst roads for congestion will be the A590 and the A591 from the M6 to the Lake District.
Best mapping app?
Use a mapping app you trust like Apple or Google Maps and ensure the software is fully updated before you leave.
Using one of these apps will ensure your travel route is kept up to date and takes in the latest traffic and disruptions on the road.
Average petrol mark up?
Motorway petrol stations are 20p per litre more expensive that other stations across the country where the average is £1.45L.
Data pulled by the AA this week showed two of the most expensive pumps in the country are at Cobham on the M25 and Tibshelf between junctions 28 and 29 on the M1.
In February, we said Google Maps was our favourite of the mapping apps.
Vital engine checks?
The AA has reminded drivers to check their car’s engine and make sure its fit for a long haul trip.
One spokesperson said: “Take 10 minutes to check your oil, coolant and windscreen wash levels. It’s also important to make sure you have plenty of fuel and or electric charge and check that all your lights are working.
“Check your tyre pressures – do this when the tyres are cold and don’t forget to check the tread – including the spare if your vehicle has one.”
They’ve also said drivers should avoid the M5 from Bristol to Taunton and the M3 from the M25 to the south coast.
Up to 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between now and Easter Monday.
Port of Dover said there was currently a two hour processing time for tourists.
P&O warns: “There are currently long queues at border control, please allow extra time to clear all the security checks. Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, you’ll be put on the first available once at check-in.”
Ferry firm DFDS also said its services were running with delays “due to strong winds in the Channel”
The weather today is set to bring a mixture of bright or sunny spells and blustery scattered showers for much of the country.
These showers will be turning heavy and thundery at times, but mainly in the south and west.
Airport crowds
Two million British travellers are expected to fly away during the Easter weekend.
Three major UK airports – Bristol, Newcastle and Edinburgh – said this will be their busiest Easter ever.
The highest number of departures at London Gatwick are expected to be on Easter Sunday.
April 7 will be the busiest day for Gatwick with Heathrow expecting its biggest crowds of the year so far.
The most popular destinations for the Easter getaway include Barcelona, Malaga and Rome, while Dubai, Orlando and New York top the long-haul charts.
Up to 175,000 are due to fly out of Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.
The temperature should be pleasant in any prolonged sunshine and lighter winds in the east and south east.
Later on, showers will ease, but stay persisting in the west.
Clear skies will develop, especially in the north and east.
Winds easing and turning chilly with a patchy frost possible, mainly in the north.
Manchester United fans have been left fuming after their kick off time against Brentford was delayed.
Now at 8pm, the starting whistle will blow at Gtech Community Stadium two minutes before the final train home.
That train is scheduled to depart London St Pancras for Manchester Piccadilly as Euston is out of service due to engineering work between London and Milton Keynes.
Weather forecast
Good Friday:
A mixture of bright or sunny spells and blustery scattered showers for Good Friday. These turning heavy and thundery at times, mainly in the south and west. Feeling pleasant in any prolonged sunshine and lighter winds.
Showers easing, but persisting in the west. Clear skies developing, especially in the north and east. Winds easing and turning chilly with a patchy frost possible, mainly in the north.
Easter Saturday:
Largely dry to start on Saturday with the odd shower. Sunny spells through the day with a few showers breaking out though the afternoon, though less heavy than of late.
Easter Sunday to Tuesday:
Turning drier on Easter Sunday with lighter winds. Becoming unsettled again through Monday and Tuesday with further showers or spells of rain, especially in the south. A touch cooler too.