Airport strikes, rail disruption and roadworks: the great Easter getaway

PA

The Easter getaway is beginning in earnest today (Friday) - but with planned airport strikes, roadworks and rail engineering works, not to mention and a fuel supply panic, you'd be forgiven for wondering if it's really worth leaving your home.

Crowding and security queues are expected at airports across the country. The UK's biggest airport, Heathrow, is expecting its busiest day of the whole holiday period so far, and, as the school holidays take hold, more than 3.4 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport between now and April 15.

Meanwhile, those flying from Stansted Airport, the fourth busiest in the country, face a strike by baggage handlers on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday in a row over pay and hours.

Meanwhile, anyone heading for Spain at the start of the Easter school holidays this weekend will face the knock on effects of yesterday's general strike which meant that hundreds of flights were cancelled.

Those thinking of letting the train take the strain will have to contend with restricted services on many routes due to engineering work over the bank holiday period. Nearly every rail company in the UK will be bringing in buses to replace services on some routes, reports the Press Association.

While roadworks have been suspended on some motorways and major roads over Easter, restrictions remain in place on a number of busy routes.

The Highways Agency said roadworks at 272 English locations would be completed ahead of the bank holiday weekend, with 15 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions suspended. The suspensions will last from 6am on Thursday April 5 until midnight on Easter Monday April 9.

Sites where roadworks will remain for safety reasons include 22 miles of the M1 near Luton in Bedfordshire, an 11-mile stretch of the M25 near St Albans in Hertfordshire, 11 miles of the M4 near west London and 23 miles of the M62 near Leeds.

The Highways Agency said Maundy Thursday evening, April 5, and Easter Monday afternoon were likely to be the busiest periods over the bank holiday weekend, especially on the main holiday routes, as people set out and return from short breaks or day trips.

Irish Ferries says it expects to carry 50 per cent more people on their ferries from Holyhead to Dublin and from Pembroke in Wales to Rosslare in Ireland this weekend than they did this time last year. Other ferry companies expecting increased numbers include Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways and Stena Line.

Is it worth trying to travel over the Easter period? Tell us your thoughts below.