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| Jams predicted as getaway begins | Jams predicted as getaway begins |
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| Extensive roadworks are expected to lead to severe traffic problems as the Easter exodus gets under way later. | Extensive roadworks are expected to lead to severe traffic problems as the Easter exodus gets under way later. |
| About 10% more traffic than normal is expected as hundreds of thousands head off for the long weekend. | |
| Motoring groups warn traffic hotspots will include the M5 south of Bristol, the M4 between London and Bristol and the M1 Nottingham to Chesterfield. | |
| Meanwhile, rail travellers face Easter closures on the West Coast, East Coast and South West main lines. | |
| 'Nightmare Maundy Thursday' | 'Nightmare Maundy Thursday' |
| Traffic is expected to be heaviest on routes to major attractions and coastal towns. | Traffic is expected to be heaviest on routes to major attractions and coastal towns. |
| The AA says 6.5 million cars are expected on the roads over the weekend, with Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday the busiest. | The AA says 6.5 million cars are expected on the roads over the weekend, with Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday the busiest. |
| MOTORWAYSPlanned Roadworks: M25 Junction 1-3 nr DartfordM27 Junction 3-4 nr Southampton and Junction 11-12 Fareham to GosportM1 Junction 1-3 nr London, Junction 6a-10 nr Hemel Hempstead, Junction 25-28 nr NottinghamM11 Junction 1-3 nr LondonM4 Junction 5-7 nr Slough, Junction 13 roundabout nr ChieveleyM11 Junction 5-6 nr Theydon BoisM42 Junction 8a -7 and M6 Junction 4a link nr Water OrtonM69 Junction 1-2 nr Hinckley For more detailed information see AA RoadwatchRAC Traffic newsBBC Travel news The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | |
| And as many as three million passengers are expected to take the train on Thursday, according to Atoc, the Association of Train Operating Companies. | |
| The RAC has predicted that the shorter school break will lead to a "nightmare Maundy Thursday" on the roads as more people head off at the same time and fewer choose to go abroad. | The RAC has predicted that the shorter school break will lead to a "nightmare Maundy Thursday" on the roads as more people head off at the same time and fewer choose to go abroad. |
| The Highways Agency has removed nearly two thirds of roadworks from England's motorways and major A roads. | |
| A total of 38 sets of roadworks have been completed and a further 47 are suspended until midnight on Monday 24 March. | |
| However, roadworks are still affecting the M1, M4, M5, M6, M11, M25, M42, M48, M55, M56, M57, M60, M62, M65, M69 and many A roads. | |
| Traffic problems have already been reported on the M25 in Surrey after a lorry loaded with paper caught fire. One lane is closed clockwise between junctions 8 and 5, causing 15-mile tailbacks stretching into Kent. | |
| There are delays on the M23 and the A25 as a result. | |
| More than two million air passengers are expected to pass through Britain's airports over the long weekend, peaking on Good Friday. | More than two million air passengers are expected to pass through Britain's airports over the long weekend, peaking on Good Friday. |
| This is fewer than last year - which travel experts say is due to Easter falling outside school holidays combined with worries over the global credit crunch. | This is fewer than last year - which travel experts say is due to Easter falling outside school holidays combined with worries over the global credit crunch. |
| On the railways, more than 30 projects are to be carried out over the Easter holiday, with 6,000 people working around 300,000 man-hours, laying new track, repairing bridges and updating signalling systems. | On the railways, more than 30 projects are to be carried out over the Easter holiday, with 6,000 people working around 300,000 man-hours, laying new track, repairing bridges and updating signalling systems. |
| Passenger groups have said they accept the need for the works but warn it is important that works are not allowed to over-run as they did at New Year, causing major disruption. | Passenger groups have said they accept the need for the works but warn it is important that works are not allowed to over-run as they did at New Year, causing major disruption. |
| The RAC said an expected cold snap could add to travel problems over the weekend, with snow and icy conditions forecast for Scotland and some parts of north eastern and eastern England. | The RAC said an expected cold snap could add to travel problems over the weekend, with snow and icy conditions forecast for Scotland and some parts of north eastern and eastern England. |
| If the weather conditions are bad, motorists are advised to only make journeys that are necessary. | If the weather conditions are bad, motorists are advised to only make journeys that are necessary. |
| If they must travel, they should ensure they carry spare warm clothes, food and drink and keep mobile phones charged in case of emergency. | If they must travel, they should ensure they carry spare warm clothes, food and drink and keep mobile phones charged in case of emergency. |
| The rail watchdog Passenger Focus is warning rail users to plan ahead to avoid the disruption. | The rail watchdog Passenger Focus is warning rail users to plan ahead to avoid the disruption. |