The warning issued to drivers as millions set to travel over Easter
Drivers are being warned over long queues over Easter, with 19.1 million people expected to hit the road on Good Friday alone.
The AA said Easter weekend being three weeks later than in 2024 will 'bump up bank holiday traffic by 15 per cent' as many people hope for warmer weather this year.
It advised motorists to prepare for congestion around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes such as the A303 in Wiltshire, the M6 at Birmingham and around the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40, and the M5 at Bristol.
The AA anticipated 19.1 million people will drive on Good Friday, 18.5 million on Easter Saturday and 18.2 million on each of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, based on responses to a survey of 11,233 AA members.
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.'
After a period of settled and warmer weather, forecasters expected a return to unsettled conditions next weekend with some rain.
Flash sale alert🌟 Dive deeper into the stories that shape Swindon with Swindon Advertiser Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80% fewer ads on our site Subscribe now for a faster news experience - https://t.co/ayrpkI4RBy pic.twitter.com/mkI3QtzrfJ
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) April 11, 2025
National Highways has deployed traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway 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.
Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between Junction 8 for Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford.
Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at Junction 8.
All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway.
Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6 million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period.
That is expected to provide an estimated £3.9 billion boost to the economy.
A further 3.4 million 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.'
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.
That 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.
The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'I could not be happier' - Cumbrian castle employee wins Unsung Hero award
An employee at Muncaster Castle has been recognised with an Unsung Hero award. Hannah Clapp won the award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 finals. Her hard work and behind-the-scenes contributions at the castle were celebrated at the ceremony in Brighton. Hannah Clapp with her Unsung Hero award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 finals (Image: Supplied) This national achievement follows Ms Clapp's previous success at the 2024 Cumbria Tourism Awards, where she won the regional Unsung Hero title. She was then able to secure a place in the VisitEngland finals. Ms Clapp, head of experiences at Muncaster Castle, said: "I am absolutely delighted that all the hard work we put in at Muncaster has been recognised at a national level in the tourism Oscars. "I could not be happier. "It is such an exciting time to be at Muncaster and a huge thank you to everyone for their support." The team at Muncaster Castle said they are proud of Hannah's achievement. A spokesperson for the Cumbrian castle said: "Her recognition at this level is a testament not only to her personal commitment but also to the passion and hard work of everyone working to share Muncaster Magic with the world."
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Motor 1
UK Car Production Falls to Lowest Levels in 70 Years
Vehicle production in the United Kingdom fell to its lowest level in 70 years after a combination of poor holiday timing and tariff uncertainty, according to Wards Auto . Citing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK built just 59,203 units in April, the lowest monthly level since 1952, save for a handful of lockdown months during the pandemic in 2020. The dismal production month can be blamed on a series of factors. A late Easter holiday, which took place in April this year, sliced into production time. Model changeovers, which forced automakers to pause production lines for upgrades, also ate into the overall output. The biggest factor continues to be US auto tariffs, which, as of this writing, sit at 10 percent for up to 100,000 vehicles annually. Photo by: Rolls-Royce SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the UK has seen "its toughest start" to manufacturing since 2009, when the economy was still dealing with the financial crisis caused by subprime mortgage lending in the United States. "Urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness," Hawes said in a statement . "Government has recognized automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month." April production represents a 15.8-percent decline compared to the same period last year. Looking deeper, passenger vehicles saw an 8.6-percent decline to 56,534 units, while commercial vehicles saw a more substantial 68.6-percent decline to just 2,669 units. Wards attributes the drop to a plant closure and the "normalizing of demand" for commercial vehicles following a post-pandemic boom. Tariffs might be causing uncertainty, but the UK's main export region is still Europe. Shipments to the mainland fell 19.1 percent in April—but still represented more than half of all exports. The number of vehicles sent to the US fell by 2.7 percent in the same period. Meanwhile, shipments to China and Türkyie jumped 44 percent and 31.2 percent, respectively. So it's not all doom and gloom. "To take advantage of these trading opportunities, we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy," said Hawes. "Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonization will flow across the UK." More on the UK A UK Company Is Bringing V-6-Powered Miatas to America Lister Pauses New Car Development Over UK Combustion Ban Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Wildfire warnings issued in the Canary Islands as millions prepare to holiday there
As millions of holidaymakers prepare to head to the Canary Islands this summer, authorities have issued a wildfire pre-alert across the archipelago. The warning, announced by the General Directorate of Emergencies on Sunday, applies to tourist hotspots El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It comes as the islands enter a high-risk fire period following the wet season, as hot, dry winds known as the 'calima' begin blowing in from the Sahara Desert. The risk of wildfire is nothing new for the Canary Islands. The volcanic terrain, Mediterranean climate and fire-adapted vegetation - plants that have evolved to thrive in fire-prone environments - make them susceptible to summer blazes, and scientists say wildfires are part of the archipelago's ecological rhythm. Some of the worst occurred in 2023, when forest fires ravaged Tenerife, destroying more than 15,000 hectares of land and forcing 12,000 people to evacuate. The blaze was later found to have been started by arsonists. This year, officials are urging tourists and locals alike to take extreme caution, warning against launching fireworks near forests and discarding cigarettes on dry ground. Related You'll need to book via app to visit these spectacular beaches in Sardinia this summer Greece boosts firefighter and drone numbers to tackle growing risk of wildfires But even as the fire warnings roll in, the Canaries' appeal shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, the islands welcomed nearly 18 million tourists, including a record-breaking 15.5 million international arrivals. Among them, British travellers led the way, recording 6.3 million visits – up 500,000 from 2023. While the Canary Islands continue to attract record numbers of tourists, residents are increasingly voicing concerns about overtourism. In April 2024, tens of thousands of islanders participated in protests, holding signs that read 'the Canary Islands have a limit' while rallying against rising housing costs, environmental damage and the strain on public services. Over Easter this year, about 80,000 hospitality workers in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro walked out in a dispute with unions over pay. The surge in short-term rentals has been especially contentious. Locals have reported getting priced out of their neighbourhoods as properties are converted into holiday lets, the cost of living soars and wages stagnate. Despite these concerns, tourism remains a significant part of the Canary Islands' economy, accounting for approximately 35 per cent of its GDP. After welcoming seven million tourists in 2024, Tenerife remains the most visited island. Its year-round sunshine and wide beaches keep it a firm favourite among families, especially during the UK's summer school break and throughout the winter months. Related Svalbard, Chios, El Hierro: How these European islands have successfully avoided overtourism Is it safe to travel to Lanzarote? Latest advice after Storm Olivier sweeps through Canary Islands As the peak summer season picks up, local tourism boards have made no indication that the fire pre-alerts will disrupt travel plans. But authorities remain focused on prevention this year. More than 2,000 firefighters are on standby. Meanwhile, the government has distributed detailed safety advice, urging people to prepare a go-bag, stay informed and follow emergency evacuation or shelter-in-place instructions if fires erupt.
