Brits were hit with non-stop travel disruption as millions of people left their homes in an attempt to reach vacation hotspots on Easter Weekend.
The travel misery began after Storm Nelson sparked delays to ferry services at the Port of Dover on Good Friday due to "strong winds in the Channel". The processing time hit a staggering two hours as holidaymakers became impatient whilst waiting in the lengthy queues. Elsewhere, traffic caused "pretty horrendous" 20-mile-long queues on major motorways, adding 45 minutes to several routes.
Drivers were warned to check their journeys after around 2.6 million car journeys were expected to be made on Good Friday, with "significant" congestion around the M25 and roads in the South West and South East by lunchtime. Queues of 15 to 20 miles were seen on the M4 and M5 interchange near Bristol, which is adding 45 minutes on to journey times.
Meanwhile, the western side of the M25 was described as "pretty bad" and a "lot worse than normal", with 40-minute queues. It was also busy on the top-end of the M20, with congestion heading into Folkestone. RAC spokesman Simon Williams earlier said: "Everyone's heading to Devon and Cornwall, that's the attraction, and there's been a bit of better weather. It's causing some pretty horrendous queues."
Numerous rail networkers issued warnings to passengers ahead of the weekend after routes were disrupted by fierce winds and delays. Travel trade organisation Abta said airports reported "strong numbers", after UK airports were expected to welcome around two millions Brits.
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Newcastle United fans issued travel warning ahead of match
Newcastle United fans have been issued a travel warning ahead of a match at St James' Park on Saturday.
Supporters heading to see the team play West Ham have been urged to check their routes as there will be no Metros running from South Gosforth to Heworth.
However, replacement bus service 900 will take its place between the two stations instead.
Supporters attending the @NUFC and @WestHam football match on the 30/03/24 are advised that no trains will run between S.Gosforth and Heworth. A replacement bus service 900 will be running. Please leave extra time for travel. For bus schedules visit https://t.co/zid8fAukQ6 ^KN pic.twitter.com/coR3d3Lh8Z
— Tyne and Wear Metro (@My_Metro) March 28, 2024
Train bosses apologise after passengers left stranded for hours
Train bosses issued an apology after passengers were left stranded for hours ahead of Bank Holiday weekend at Liverpool Street station.
Greater Anglia explained their services couldn’t operate on both of its main lines on Thursday evening because of “damage to overhead line equipment” caused by winds. Daniel Palmer and his fiancée Emma said it took them more than five hours to reach home in Brightlingsea from Liverpool Street, reports Dunmow Broadcast.
Mr Palmer said: “We had to lift share with people getting dropped off at Chelmsford and then we were the only people taken on to Colchester. We ended up getting back to Brightlingsea just after 4am.”
Greater Anglia issues a statement on its website and said: “We would like to apologise if you experienced disruption to your journeys with us during the evening of Thursday, March 28. Due to the high winds that occurred we experienced damage to overhead line equipment on both our West Anglia route at Stansted Mountfitchet and our Great Eastern route within the Manor Park/Romford area.
“This resulted in significant service cancellations and alterations from the evening until close of service on both Greater Anglia main lines.”
Traffic delays on M2 amid crash
Drivers who are on the way to their Easter getaway are facing delays on the M2 this afternoon.
People have been told to beware of the coastbound carriageway near Junction 5 for the A249, Stockbury Roundabout, Sittingbourne and Maidstone.
Traffic monitoring service Inrix has issued an update about the current state of the motorway. "M2 Eastbound partially blocked, queueing traffic due to accident before J5 A249 (Sittingbourne / Stockbury Roundabout)," the warning said.
Post-Brexit passport checks sparks further Dover delays
Motorists are facing two hour delays due to post-Brexit passport checks at the Port of Dover.
P&O Ferries issued a warning to travellers after queues built up for French passport control. Since Brexit, staff have to stamp UK passports.
The company tweeted: "Ahoy travellers. We are aware of the queues in Dover. Please rest assured that if you miss your sailing, we will put you on the next available ship once you reach check in."
Police rush to serious crash on M40
Motorists have been warned there are delays after a serious crash took place on the M40.
The motorway in Buckinghamshire is shut northbound between J3 (Loudwater) and J4 (High Wycombe) as emergency services respond to the incident. Thames Valley Police are at the scene.
National Highways issued the warning on its website and said: "There are approx. 2.5 miles congestion on approach to this closure causing delays of 30 min above normal travel time. If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
UPDATE - The #M40 northbound is now closed between J3 (#Loudwater) and J4 (#HighWycombe) due to a serious collision.
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) March 29, 2024
Emergency services continue to work at scene.
Please allow extra travel time if in the area this morning. pic.twitter.com/KbD6qMHkUH
Brave brits jump in pool despite freezing temperatures
Pictures show brave Brits swimming as they endure tempertures as low as 11C in eastern England.
Members of the public were spotted taking a dip in Peterborough Lido as it opened for summer season today. Whilst the weather has halted travel plans for some, people in Peterborough decided to venture out in the harsh conditions as the sun tried to force its way out this morning.
Heathrow Airport hit with Border Force strikes
Brits travelling via Heathrow Airport could face major travel chaos as hundreds of border force workers voted to walk out in the Easter holidays.
Families have been told to brace themselves for the worst as 600 workers decided to strike following disputes over shifts. The industrial action is set to start on April 11 and end on April 14. Unfortunately, the strike coincides with holidaymakers' return to the UK.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "As the public would expect, our priority is to keep our citizens safe and our borders secure. We are working closely with Heathrow Airport and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays from planned strike action. We will deploy suitable resources to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border."
Read more here: Heathrow Airport hit with Border Force strikes over Easter school holiday rush
Crowds gather at King's Cross Station
Passengers are tackling busy scenes at King's Cross Station this morning.
Dozens of people could be seen trying to get on a train at a platform on Good Friday. It comes as train companies warned Brits to check their journey information ahead of time. Network Rail stressed that some major routes will be shut due to engineering work.
Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million Brits are planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated £3.2 billion for the economy.
Major airline calls off hundreds of flights this weekend
A major airline has cancelled 400 flights this Easter weekend - leaving holidaymakers trips up in the air.
It comes after Austrian Airlines flight crews walked out over pay disputes with their employer. Around 50,000 passengers are set to be hit by the industrial action.
In a statement, the airline told people to prepare for disruption and said: "We cannot keep our passengers in union uncertainty until the last minute. Therefore, it has just been decided to cancel over 400 flights from 28 March, 12:00 a.m. until 29 March, 12pm."
Read more here: Austrian Airlines cancels 400 flights over Easter as millions hit by travel chaos
Foodies head to bakery to get their hands on legendary hot cross buns
Foodies travelled to a bakery to get their hands on their legendary hot cross buns on Good Friday.
Pictures show people queuing for hours outside Raven's Bakery in Brighton this morning. The sweet treats are so tasty that people tucked into them right next to the venue.
One person wrote on Twitter: "It’s a Brighton Easter tradition to queue for Raven’s hot cross buns. Thought I’d enjoy it one last time, they are definitely worth the wait. (Please note: the line is so long the bakery is out of sight)."
Pictures show travel madness at UK airport
Holidaymakers have descended to Manchester Airport in a bid to escape the UK.
Pictures show just how busy the airport is in Terminal 2 alone. It comes after officials warned that the amount of people travelling via Manchester will reach "record numbers" on Easter weekend.
Chris Woodroofe, of Manchester Airport, said: “It’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend – that’s up 7% on April 2023.”
Manchester United supporters could be stranded amid Easter chaos
Manchester United supporters could be left stranded due to a late kick off time this weekend.
The time of the Premier League match against Brentford has been changed to 8pm on Saturday. The match, which is set to take place at the Gtech Community Stadium in west London, is just two minutes before the last train is set to leave London St Pancras for Manchester.
Travellers have been warned that London Euston is not in service this weekend due to engineering works between London and Milton Keynes. To make things worse, there are also no direct services between London and Manchester on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust told the Telegraph: “Sadly match-going supporters are all too used to the fact that we seem to be the last people considered when kick-off times are determined. During Covid they said that football without fans is nothing - it’s time for the football authorities to show they meant it."
Drivers urged to travel through main routes to reach Port of Dover
Drivers have been urged to only travel via the main routes to reach the Port of Dover.
Officials issued the advice in a bid to help minimise delays for both locals and travellers. The Port of Dover earlier said that queues were at least 90 minutes long. Members of the public slammed the waiting times and took to Twitter to express their frustration over traffic.
One person said: "Taken three hours to get through to check in", while another holidaymaker wrote: "Wished we'd taken the tunnel." A third person commented: "Horrendous queues at 2am, 3hrs to get through, and you say it's due to enhanced security checks?"
This Easter travel to the #PortofDover via main routes only. This avoids causing traffic delays for you and our local residents See here for more information: https://t.co/cB2jpPC4qP pic.twitter.com/2ypzMoAQfw
— Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) March 29, 2024
UK airports prepare to welcome two million holidaymakers across Easter weekend
Travel bosses have warned that two million Brits are set to jet off from UK airports on Easter Weekend.
Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands are said to be the most desirable destinations as people try to escape the wet and gloomy weather in England.
Glasgow predicts more than 90,000 passengers over the four days while Birmingham Airport said it expects a 27.2% increase in departures compared to last year over the full Easter period. Liverpool Airport expects around 60,000 passengers over the four days, which is around 7% higher than last year.
Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “It’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend – that’s up 7% on April 2023.”
Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, advised: “If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they’re easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.”
Travellers facing long queues at Heathrow Airport
A packed Heathrow Terminal 5 is seen early this morning on Good Friday as the travel chaos for the Easter holidays begins. Airports have prepared for record numbers this holiday season.
Massive queues in Dover this morning
Major queues at the Port of Dover are seen this morning.
It comes after Ferry company DFDS reported that its services were running with delays "due to strong winds in the Channel".