Easter Exodus: UK Braces for Busiest Road Weekend in Four Years
Almost 22 million leisure journeys are anticipated on British roads during the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, marking what could be the busiest Easter travel period since 2022. This surge in traffic signals a resilient determination among Britons to embark on getaways, undeterred by escalating fuel prices driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Motorway Mayhem: Peak Traffic and Hotspots
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) is urging drivers to plan meticulously, with motorway traffic expected to peak on Thursday. According to the AA, routes leading to coastal destinations are likely to become particularly congested, with significant backlogs predicted on key motorways including the M4, M25, M5, M40, and M1.
Transport analytics firm Inrix has identified specific hotspots where heavy traffic is forecast for Thursday:
- The M4 westbound from the Severn Crossing to Bridgend in South Wales.
- The M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19.
- The M5 southbound from Junction 15 to Junction 23.
- The M40 northbound from Junction 12 to the M42.
- The M1 southbound from Junction 16 to Junction 6.
In a bid to alleviate congestion, National Highways has announced the temporary suspension of 1,500 miles of roadworks between Thursday and Monday.
Fuel Price Fears: Impact on Travel Plans
The RAC's calculations, based on a survey of 2,219 UK adults conducted between March 20 and 23, reveal that 21 million leisure car journeys are planned over the entire weekend. This comes as oil prices have surged to a four-year high, with a barrel now costing approximately £90, largely due to Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
The financial burden on motorists is stark: filling a typical 55-litre family car with diesel now costs about £19 more than on Good Friday last year, while a tank of petrol is £8 more expensive. Despite these hikes, RAC research indicates that only 6% of Britons might curtail their driving plans, even though 31% express concern over rising costs.
Sean Kimberlin, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, commented: 'Despite fuel prices rising dramatically due to the conflict in the Middle East, our research suggests Easter remains incredibly important to people as it's often the first chance to get away since Christmas or to meet up with friends and family. While a significant number of drivers are concerned about rising fuel prices, a much smaller contingent are actually changing their plans this Easter as a result.'
Expert Advice and Rail Disruptions
Lee Morley, an AA expert patrol, advised: 'After what feels like a very long, wet winter, lots of families are looking forward to the Easter break. With more than 20 million journeys expected on the busiest days, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest Easters on the roads in recent years.' He urged drivers to conduct essential vehicle checks before departure, including fuel levels, lights, oil, water, and tyre conditions.
Meanwhile, rail travellers face significant disruptions. Network Rail's six-day shutdown on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) will affect thousands of Easter journeys. From Good Friday to Wednesday, April 8, no intercity services will operate between London Euston and Milton Keynes, with trains resuming on Thursday, April 9. Additionally, there will be no WCML services between Preston and Lancaster on Saturday or Easter Sunday, though Avanti West Coast will run alternative services via the Settle and Carlisle line.
Further reductions include services between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction, and no trains between Winchester and Southampton in Hampshire, or between Herne Bay and Ramsgate in Kent, from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
Air Travel and Last-Minute Getaways
For those seeking sunnier climes, EasyJet is preparing for its busiest Easter on record, with around 16,000 flights departing from UK airports during the two-week school half-term. Popular destinations include Tenerife and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, as well as Alicante and Malaga in mainland Spain.
Holiday company On the Beach has reported a surge in last-minute bookings for departures this week. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer, noted: 'Destinations like Greece and Turkey are offering standout value alongside familiar favourites, Spain, the Canaries and Portugal, and with the UK weather showing no signs of improving, it's no surprise we've seen a surge in people snapping up last-minute sunshine breaks.'
This Easter, despite economic pressures and transport challenges, Britons are demonstrating a steadfast commitment to travel, whether by road, rail, or air, heralding a vibrant and congested holiday period across the nation.
