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'Wet and windy' Easter forecast 'Wet and windy' Easter forecast
(about 14 hours later)
Miserable weather is likely to mar the Easter weekend, despite the passing of snow storms which have hit UK areas.Miserable weather is likely to mar the Easter weekend, despite the passing of snow storms which have hit UK areas.
Forecasters say a cold night will be followed by wind and rain, while 21,000 homes in Northern Ireland and Scotland remain without power. Forecasters say rain will spread across the country on Friday, while 21,000 homes in Northern Ireland and Scotland remain without power.
About two million people are expected to flee the UK in search of sun, according to travel organisation Abta.About two million people are expected to flee the UK in search of sun, according to travel organisation Abta.
Motoring organisations predict 20 million people will take to UK roads, with works hampering rail journeys.Motoring organisations predict 20 million people will take to UK roads, with works hampering rail journeys.
Transport analyst Trafficmaster said Thursday evening would be the busiest period.Transport analyst Trafficmaster said Thursday evening would be the busiest period.
It was reporting heavy traffic around Manchester and Birmingham from mid-afternoon, along with delays on the M25 and on the M1 outside London and in Nottinghamshire.It was reporting heavy traffic around Manchester and Birmingham from mid-afternoon, along with delays on the M25 and on the M1 outside London and in Nottinghamshire.
The southbound M6 was shut close to the M1 junction in Warwickshire after a serious crash during the evening rush-hour.The southbound M6 was shut close to the M1 junction in Warwickshire after a serious crash during the evening rush-hour.
Eleven people were taken to hospital, with two seriously hurt. Delays affected both motorways.Eleven people were taken to hospital, with two seriously hurt. Delays affected both motorways.
'Grey and wet' Wet forecast
Roads remain treacherous in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland affected by snow, although clearer weather has offered some respite.Roads remain treacherous in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland affected by snow, although clearer weather has offered some respite.
However, BBC forecaster Louise Lear said it would be a chilly night and that Good Friday would start "grey and wet" for many. BBC weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood said the bank holiday weather would not be a washout, although rain would edge in across the UK on Good Friday.
"A band of rain from the South West will steadily push further north and east, with a strong southerly wind accompanying it," she said, adding that Scotland could see a fair day. Showers will follow on Saturday, with increasing sunshine on Easter Sunday.
Wet weather is set to continue throughout the bank holiday weekendWet weather is set to continue throughout the bank holiday weekend
Easter Sunday was likely to be the best day of a weekend characterised by April showers, added our forecaster.
The Highways Agency said 74 sets of road works on England's major routes would be completed by Easter, with work on a further 60 being suspended during the weekend.The Highways Agency said 74 sets of road works on England's major routes would be completed by Easter, with work on a further 60 being suspended during the weekend.
However, restrictions remain at 40 locations, including a section of the M25 around Maple Cross in Hertfordshire and a stretch of the M4 near Maidenhead in Berkshire.However, restrictions remain at 40 locations, including a section of the M25 around Maple Cross in Hertfordshire and a stretch of the M4 near Maidenhead in Berkshire.
Network Rail engineering work will result in longer journey times for some train passengers.Network Rail engineering work will result in longer journey times for some train passengers.
There will be reduced services on both the West and East Coast main lines, with rail-replacement buses in some areas.There will be reduced services on both the West and East Coast main lines, with rail-replacement buses in some areas.
Some First Great Western and South West Trains services are also affected by works, with buses replacing trains on some routes.Some First Great Western and South West Trains services are also affected by works, with buses replacing trains on some routes.
Abta, which represents UK travel agents, says a million people will fly from London airports this weekend, along with 155,000 from Scotland and 141,000 from Manchester.Abta, which represents UK travel agents, says a million people will fly from London airports this weekend, along with 155,000 from Scotland and 141,000 from Manchester.
Spain, Tenerife, Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Florida and the Dominican Republic are among the top destinations for holidaymakers.Spain, Tenerife, Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Florida and the Dominican Republic are among the top destinations for holidaymakers.
'Greatly missed''Greatly missed'
Some 18,000 people remain without power in Northern Ireland, along with more than 3,000 in Scotland, after snow and ice on cables brought down power lines. Up to 100,000 people have been affected this week.Some 18,000 people remain without power in Northern Ireland, along with more than 3,000 in Scotland, after snow and ice on cables brought down power lines. Up to 100,000 people have been affected this week.
Blizzard conditions had continued into Thursday morning, when 107 people were stuck aboard Wednesday's 1611 BST Glasgow to Inverness train for over seven hours. Blizzard conditions had continued into Thursday morning, when 107 people were stuck aboard Wednesday's 1611 Glasgow to Inverness train for over seven hours.
It became stranded north of Aviemore between Carrbridge and Slochd, 20 miles south of Inverness. Passengers eventually reached Inverness at about 0315 BST after two rescue trains were deployed.It became stranded north of Aviemore between Carrbridge and Slochd, 20 miles south of Inverness. Passengers eventually reached Inverness at about 0315 BST after two rescue trains were deployed.
Natasha Paton died in a coach crash near Biggar in South LanarkshireNatasha Paton died in a coach crash near Biggar in South Lanarkshire
On Wednesday, Natasha Paton, 17, from Cleghorn, was killed when a school coach crashed on the A73 at Wiston, South Lanarkshire.On Wednesday, Natasha Paton, 17, from Cleghorn, was killed when a school coach crashed on the A73 at Wiston, South Lanarkshire.
Natasha's parents issued a statement in which they said they were devastated at the loss of their "beloved daughter", adding that she would "be greatly missed by all who knew her".Natasha's parents issued a statement in which they said they were devastated at the loss of their "beloved daughter", adding that she would "be greatly missed by all who knew her".
The crash prompted Prime Minister Gordon Brown to speak of the need to ensure school buses are safe.
"It's very important that we look at everything that ought to be done to make sure that our buses are as safe as possible for young people," he told Radio Clyde.
The school coach had been carrying 39 students from Lanark Grammar School, five members of staff and a driver when it left the road and ended up on its side just after 0600 BST.The school coach had been carrying 39 students from Lanark Grammar School, five members of staff and a driver when it left the road and ended up on its side just after 0600 BST.
NHS Lanarkshire said 44 people in total had received hospital treatment following the crash.NHS Lanarkshire said 44 people in total had received hospital treatment following the crash.
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