Motorists have been warned of huge traffic delays as millions people are set to hit the road this bank holiday weekend
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Drivers and rail passengers have been warned of huge delays this bank holiday weekend amid extreme weather triggering mass train cancellations.
Storm Nelson is expected to wreak havoc on the UK on Thursday as it brings winds of up to 70mph to parts of England.
Extreme weather has sparked mass train cancellations on one of the busiest days of the year for travel as Britons begin their Easter bank holiday weekends.
Great Western Railway closed all lines between Westbury and Swindon earlier today due to flooding.
There have also been delays and cancellations between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, Westbury and Weymouth, Reading and Taunton and Sindon and Chippenham.
London Euston will also be almost entirely closed this weekend due to engineering works between London and Milton Keynes.
It comes as the RAC warned journeys on the road could take up to twice as long as usual this weekend as 14 million people are expected to set off.
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.
14 million to hit the road this Easter bank holiday weekend
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.
Plane forced to abort landing amid extreme winds
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.
The Airbus A320 wobbles from side to side before pulling up again to avoid disaster. It landed ten minutes later successfully.
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
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.
Easter warning to drivers over bank holiday weekend after snow falls in Devon and Wales
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.
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.”
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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.
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?
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
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.
Rail passengers warned not to travel as London Euston shuts over bank holiday weekend
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
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
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.
Source: independent.co.uk
