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| Jams predicted as getaway begins | Jams predicted as getaway begins |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 NottinghamM4 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 | 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 NottinghamM4 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. | 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 in much of the UK 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 in much of the UK 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. |
| Because Easter is unusually early this year, many schools are not having their traditional two-week break until April. | Because Easter is unusually early this year, many schools are not having their traditional two-week break until April. |
| Consequently, families going away for Easter only have four days, which is expected to lead to a more concentrated getaway rush than normal. | Consequently, families going away for Easter only have four days, which is expected to lead to a more concentrated getaway rush than normal. |
| The Highways Agency has removed nearly two thirds of roadworks from England's motorways and major A roads. | 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. | 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. | 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 began during the morning rush hour on the M25 in Surrey after a lorry loaded with paper caught fire. One lane was closed clockwise between junctions 8 and 5, causing 15-mile tailbacks stretching into Kent. | |
| There were 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 in many parts of the UK, 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 in many parts of the UK, 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. |
| RAILWAYS RAILWAYSScheduled maintenance: West Coast main line: Closed Good Friday-Easter Monday between Coventry, Rugby and Northampton and from London Euston Sat - MondayEast Coast main line: London King's Cross - NE England and Scotland services diverted via Leeds, 1400 Sat - 1400 SunGreat Western main line: Didcot Parkway - Swindon and Chippenham services replaced by a bus service or diverted, Fri-MonSouth West main line: Alterations and diversions to services to and from London Waterloo due to engineering works at Clapham Junction, Fri-MonEast Anglia/Essex coast line: Replacement bus service between Gidea Park, Billericay and Ingatestone National Rail Easter 2008 summary | RAILWAYS RAILWAYSScheduled maintenance: West Coast main line: Closed Good Friday-Easter Monday between Coventry, Rugby and Northampton and from London Euston Sat - MondayEast Coast main line: London King's Cross - NE England and Scotland services diverted via Leeds, 1400 Sat - 1400 SunGreat Western main line: Didcot Parkway - Swindon and Chippenham services replaced by a bus service or diverted, Fri-MonSouth West main line: Alterations and diversions to services to and from London Waterloo due to engineering works at Clapham Junction, Fri-MonEast Anglia/Essex coast line: Replacement bus service between Gidea Park, Billericay and Ingatestone National Rail Easter 2008 summary |
| 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. |