This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8028635.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Delays set to hit holiday travel | Delays set to hit holiday travel |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Congested roads and rail disruption are expected to cause delays as the bank holiday getaway begins. | Congested roads and rail disruption are expected to cause delays as the bank holiday getaway begins. |
| The RAC said up to 11 million Britons will take to the roads over the weekend with most expected to head off on Friday afternoon or evening. | The RAC said up to 11 million Britons will take to the roads over the weekend with most expected to head off on Friday afternoon or evening. |
| Train passengers will face delays or cancellations on many lines as Network Rail carries out a programme of engineering work. | Train passengers will face delays or cancellations on many lines as Network Rail carries out a programme of engineering work. |
| Forecasters expect reasonable weather with sunshine and some rain. | Forecasters expect reasonable weather with sunshine and some rain. |
| The RAC says it anticipates the heaviest traffic in south and central England with congestion around favourite tourist destinations. | The RAC says it anticipates the heaviest traffic in south and central England with congestion around favourite tourist destinations. |
| Most major roads were busy from early Friday afternoon, with traffic particularly heavy on the M25, the A303 in Wiltshire and the M8 westbound through Glasgow. | |
| Other routes with heavy traffic expected are the M4 and M5 into the West Country and Wales, the M6 and A590 to the Lake District and the M55 to Blackpool. | |
| The AA expects localised congestion as people head to sporting fixtures or nearby events. It also warns of large volumes of people visiting retail parks to buy supplies for spring DIY projects and barbeques. | The AA expects localised congestion as people head to sporting fixtures or nearby events. It also warns of large volumes of people visiting retail parks to buy supplies for spring DIY projects and barbeques. |
| But the motoring organisation says the roads are not usually as crowded this weekend as for other holiday getaways. It says "Easter and the late May bank holiday tend to be busier" as they coincide with school holidays. | But the motoring organisation says the roads are not usually as crowded this weekend as for other holiday getaways. It says "Easter and the late May bank holiday tend to be busier" as they coincide with school holidays. |
| Congestion is expected on routes heading to popular tourist destinations | Congestion is expected on routes heading to popular tourist destinations |
| For this reason, the Highways Agency says it has not taken steps to lift as many road works as it does for some other holiday weekends. | For this reason, the Highways Agency says it has not taken steps to lift as many road works as it does for some other holiday weekends. |
| Only certain projects have been rescheduled but the agency has suspended M1 widening work between junctions 25 and 28. Here drivers will still face narrower lanes but no closures. The AA has also warned that on average three motorists are likely to be killed and 30 seriously injured in the UK this weekend after falling asleep at the wheel. It is encouraging drivers to take regular breaks. | Only certain projects have been rescheduled but the agency has suspended M1 widening work between junctions 25 and 28. Here drivers will still face narrower lanes but no closures. The AA has also warned that on average three motorists are likely to be killed and 30 seriously injured in the UK this weekend after falling asleep at the wheel. It is encouraging drivers to take regular breaks. |
| Sunshine and showers | Sunshine and showers |
| On the railways, extensive engineering work is expected to cause difficulties. Iain Coucher, Network Rail's chief executive, said such engineering work needed to be done when lines were quietest. | On the railways, extensive engineering work is expected to cause difficulties. Iain Coucher, Network Rail's chief executive, said such engineering work needed to be done when lines were quietest. |
| "Fewer people travel at bank holidays, so this is the least disruptive time to undertake the work," he said. | "Fewer people travel at bank holidays, so this is the least disruptive time to undertake the work," he said. |
| Virgin Trains services between London Euston and the Midlands will be affected, as will First Great Western services from Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton. | Virgin Trains services between London Euston and the Midlands will be affected, as will First Great Western services from Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton. |
| Buses will replace trains on London Midland services between Watford Junction and St Albans and on South West Trains routes between Clapham Junction and Surbiton in London on Sunday. | Buses will replace trains on London Midland services between Watford Junction and St Albans and on South West Trains routes between Clapham Junction and Surbiton in London on Sunday. |
| Buses will also run on ScotRail services between Cumbernauld and Falkirk Grahamston on Saturday and Monday, and Dumfries and Carlisle on Sunday. | Buses will also run on ScotRail services between Cumbernauld and Falkirk Grahamston on Saturday and Monday, and Dumfries and Carlisle on Sunday. |
| The disruption comes as rail users' group Passenger Focus asked train companies to pledge to use buses only as a last resort during engineering disruption. | The disruption comes as rail users' group Passenger Focus asked train companies to pledge to use buses only as a last resort during engineering disruption. |
| BUSY HOLIDAY ROAD ROUTES Routes to the west of England and into south Wales (M4, M5, A303) Routes from northern England to north Wales (M56, A55)Routes to the Lake District (M6, A590)Routes to Blackpool (M55) Routes between the Midlands and Norfolk (A47) Source: RAC | |
| On the London Underground, only four lines will run normal services this weekend. The Victoria and Waterloo & City lines will be closed while there will be part-closures on five others. | On the London Underground, only four lines will run normal services this weekend. The Victoria and Waterloo & City lines will be closed while there will be part-closures on five others. |
| Airports operator BAA expects around 1.5 million people to pass through its terminals from Friday until Monday. Popular destinations include New York, Malaga and Dublin. For those staying in the UK, forecasters said there will be sunshine with some rain. | Airports operator BAA expects around 1.5 million people to pass through its terminals from Friday until Monday. Popular destinations include New York, Malaga and Dublin. For those staying in the UK, forecasters said there will be sunshine with some rain. |
| Peter Gibbs from the BBC Weather Centre said: "It looks like the southern parts of the UK will get the most reliable weather this bank holiday weekend, although even here there could be a little bit of rain. | Peter Gibbs from the BBC Weather Centre said: "It looks like the southern parts of the UK will get the most reliable weather this bank holiday weekend, although even here there could be a little bit of rain. |
| "Northern areas are expected to be cloudier with rain at times. In the sunshine it will feel warm but there will be a cool breeze at times, especially across the north. | "Northern areas are expected to be cloudier with rain at times. In the sunshine it will feel warm but there will be a cool breeze at times, especially across the north. |
| He added that temperatures should be "close to or above the average for early May". The north of the UK can expect temperatures in the low to mid teens while the warmest parts of the south east should see temperatures in the mid to high teens. | He added that temperatures should be "close to or above the average for early May". The north of the UK can expect temperatures in the low to mid teens while the warmest parts of the south east should see temperatures in the mid to high teens. |