The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol in the UK soared by 20p during March, escalating from 132.83p at the start of the month to 152.83p by the end. This sharp increase has sparked widespread concern among motorists, particularly as the nation prepares for what is forecast to be the busiest Easter period on the roads in four years.
Record-Breaking Fuel Price Hike
According to data released by the motoring services company RAC, this represents the fastest monthly rise in petrol prices on record, surpassing the previous peak of 16.6p in June 2022, which followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The surge is attributed to escalating oil prices, driven by geopolitical tensions, including the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, described the jump as "unprecedented" but urged travellers to proceed with their plans while seeking out the best fuel deals. "Ahead of the Easter getaway, which is expected to be the busiest on the roads since 2022, we urge drivers to fill up as usual and to find the cheapest forecourts near them," he advised.
Easter Traffic Predictions and Roadworks Suspension
National Highways has announced plans to temporarily suspend 1,500 miles of roadworks across motorways and major A-roads in England from Thursday through Easter Monday. This measure aims to alleviate congestion as the AA predicts an additional 1 million trips compared to last year, culminating in a total of 21.7 million journeys over the bank holiday weekend.
Traffic is anticipated to peak on Thursday, coinciding with the start of school holidays for many. This Easter is set to be the busiest since 2022, when travellers embarked on their first full getaway post-Covid lockdowns.
Impact on Travel Behaviour and Spending
Analysts suggest that the spike in petrol and diesel prices may lead some travellers to curtail their spending over Easter. Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at the Wealth Club investment service, noted, "There may be shorter trips planned ahead, and fewer chocolate treats bought along the way."
The AA's survey reveals that just over half of travellers expect to journey less than 50 miles this weekend, with only 5% planning trips of 50-100 miles. Approximately 1% anticipate travelling 100-200 miles, and fewer than 1% intend to cover more than 200 miles.
Rail Disruptions and International Travel Warnings
Increased car usage on motorways is likely due to significant rail disruptions. Engineering works will affect key routes, including:
- West coast mainline services between London Euston and Milton Keynes from Good Friday to Wednesday 8 April.
- No rail service between Preston and Lancaster on 4-5 April.
- In Hampshire, no trains between Winchester and Southampton.
- In Kent, no services between Herne Bay and Ramsgate.
- Reduced services between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction.
For those heading abroad, the travel trade organisation Abta estimates that 2 million UK residents will travel overseas this weekend. EasyJet reports it will operate 16,000 flights from UK airports during the two-week school break, marking its busiest Easter getaway yet.
Travellers to the European Union are cautioned to expect delays of up to two hours due to the implementation of the EU's Entry Exit System. This new border protocol requires third-country nationals, including UK citizens, to provide photographs and fingerprints for entry into the Schengen area.
