Easter travel and weather: Millions set for a getaway weekend
(about 7 hours later)
Motoring company RAC has warned journeys could take twice as long due to the bank holiday weekend coinciding with the beginning of the Easter holidays
Millions of people are expected to travel on Good Friday as the Easter getaway gets into full swing.
Britons embarking on their Easter getaways are experiencing travel disruption, with high winds and heavy rain fuelling delays.
A record number of travellers are planning to fly this weekend, and 2.6 million car journeys on UK roads are expected on Friday alone.
A record number of travellers are expected to make journeys by air over the Easter weekend, which coincides with the end of term for many schools.
Drivers have been warned journeys could take twice as long on some routes.
Drivers have been warned that journeys by road could take twice as long on popular routes.
While stormy weather which hit parts of the UK on Thursday is expected to ease off, dozens of flood warnings and alerts are in place in England.
There is also some disruption to rail, air and ferry services.
Some 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight trip this Easter, according to the tourist board Visit England.
Some 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight trip this Easter, according to the tourist board Visit England.
Wet and windy conditions hit parts of Northern Ireland and the south of England on Thursday, with several rail operators reporting weather-related disruption, and planned engineering works set to put further pressure on services.
A survey by motoring company RAC and transport analysis company Inrix suggests 14 million trips by road could be made across the weekend.
Some flights and ferry services have also been cancelled.
A weather system dubbed Storm Nelson by Spanish forecasters brought wet and windy conditions to Northern Ireland and the south of England on Thursday, with several rail operators and airports reporting disruption.
The rest of the UK experienced spells of dry and fairly sunny weather, though the low pressure risked clouds and downpours, with snow already falling in Devon.
Some parts of southern England and Wales saw snow on Thursday but the outlook for the Easter Weekend is brighter for most
Sunshine or showers for Easter?
However, conditions are expected to improve on Good Friday and into the rest of the Easter weekend, according to BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes.
Easter passengers face transport delays in London
The UK is set to see a mix of sunshine and showers, with the potential for some heavy downpours and hail, though temperatures will remain close to average.
A survey by motoring company RAC and Transport analysis company Inrix suggests 14 million Easter getaway trips by road would be made this weekend, with the worst congestion on Thursday afternoon.
While there are no weather warnings are in place, 35 flood warnings and 183 flood alerts have been issued in England by the Environment Agency.
"With Easter falling earlier than usual at the start of the school holidays, it could be carmageddon for holidaymakers," an RAC breakdown spokesperson said.
A further five flood alerts are in place in Wales, according to Natural Resources Wales.
There are reports of congestion along several motorways, including the M5 and M4 near Bristol. National Highways also reports long delays along the M1, M11 and M25.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, some showers are expected but are unlikely to be as widespread.
National Highways is warning of delays of 45 minutes and approximately five miles (8km) of congestion on the M5 near Easter Compton after three of four lanes were closed northbound earlier in the day following a multi-vehicle collision.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Harris said most could expect a "fairly typical mix of spring-like weather"- however, more persistent rain could return to England and Wales on Monday.
The M48 Severn Bridge has been closed in both directions due to high winds, causing delays of 90 minutes.
Rail, air and sea
In Devon, a four-year-old girl has been critically injured in a collision on the A30 near Cheriton Bishop. The eastbound carriageway of the road was closed for about six hours, leading to long tailbacks.
Airports and airlines are expecting "record-breaking" passenger numbers for this time of year as holidaymakers jet off abroad for the weekend.
Airports braced for record numbers
Airports and airlines are bracing for "record-breaking" passenger numbers as holidaymakers jet off abroad for the weekend.
Stansted Airport has been very busy already this week
Manchester Airport said it was preparing for about 320,000 passengers this weekend, 8% more than the equivalent last year.
Manchester Airport said it was preparing for about 320,000 passengers this weekend, 8% more than the equivalent last year.
Glasgow Airport said it would have extra staff in place during "three exceptionally busy weekends ahead".
Glasgow Airport said it would have extra staff in place during "three exceptionally busy weekends ahead".
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Low-cost airline EasyJet is predicting its busiest ever Easter weekend.
Planned engineering works could cause disruption for some rail passengers, including at London Euston - one of the UK's busiest railway stations - which will be largely closed between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Travellers are having to contend with the weather, with Ryanair warning on Thursday morning that high winds could disrupt air travel from London.
Trains between London and East Anglia, and services to and from the capital via the West Coast Main Line are expected to be impacted by works, Network Rail warned.
Delays and cancellations have hit several airports across the UK, including East Midlands, Manchester, London City Airport, Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.
Ferries arriving at Dover had to contend with rough seas on Thursday
What about train travel?
French authorities at Dover have stepped up border checks after the country's terror threat level was raised in the aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack.
Southern Railway, the Gatwick Express, Great northern and Thameslink are reporting delays due to poor weather.
Drivers are being advised to plan ahead and leave extra time.
Some coastal routes in Cornwall, Somerset and Devon have been affected by flooding on the lines, with speed restrictions in place in some areas.
Great Western Railway said its line from Swindon to Chippenham had been closed due to flooding. It said train services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Several South Western services - including to London - have also been disrupted. Heavy flooding has stopped all lines between Salisbury and Tisbury, and fallen trees blocked the tracks between Camberley and Frimley, and Aldershot and Ash Vale.
Chiltern Railways has also reported a tree blocking the tracks at Chorleywood, affecting routes between London Marylebone and Aylesbury with diversions, cancellations or delays of up to an hour.
There will be further disruption over the bank holiday as some major routes close due to engineering work.
London Euston, one of the UK's busiest railway stations, will be closed between Good Friday and Easter Monday - except for London Overground trains.
It is because Network Rail engineering works between London and Milton Keynes will close part of the West Coast Main Line.
There will be replacement buses on this stretch. Avanti West Coast will operate a revised service on its network.
Tighter checks at Dover
French authorities at Dover have stepped up border monitoring following the Moscow concert hall attack. Drivers are being advised to plan ahead and leave extra time.
Around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Sunday.
At peak times over the next few days, Dover has told coach operators that even with the right resources in place at the border, wait times could be up to 2.5 hours.
At peak times over the next few days, Dover has told coach operators that even with the right resources in place at the border, wait times could be up to 2.5 hours.
Eurotunnel told the BBC it was putting on extra shuttles and staff to cope with expected high numbers.
Eurotunnel told the BBC it was putting on extra shuttles and staff to cope with expected high numbers.
The ferry operator DFDS said on Thursday all services were currently operating with delays "due to strong winds in the Channel".
It has cancelled some ferries from Newhaven to Dieppe, and Calais to Dover.
Meanwhile, Brittany Ferries has cancelled one overnight service between Poole and Cherbourg.
How is the weather looking?
The Easter break began with some less-than-preferable weather, which should calm down through the weekend, says BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes.
Europe is contending with Storm Nelson, which was named by Spanish forecasters.
High winds have forced a number of tourist attractions to close early, including London's Kew Gardens, parts of Kensington Gardens, a number of National Trust properties in the south west and Dartmoor Zoo.
Householders in Devon woke up to snowfall on Thursday
By Good Friday the UK is set to see a mix of sunshine and showers with the potential for some heavy rain and hail, though temperatures will remain close to average.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, some showers are expected, though these are unlikely to be as widespread, and slightly warmer temperatures will mean pockets of sunshine will feel quite pleasant.
By Monday wet and windy weather is likely to lash England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland look to remain pleasant with sunny spells.
Additional reporting by Emily Atkinson and Hafsa Khalil
What are your travel plans for Easter? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
What are your travel plans for Easter? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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