Major roadworks on motorways and rail closures to cause Bank Holiday misery

Motorists in Britain face chaos over the Bank Holiday weekend when 14.5 million cars take to the roads as the rail network is hit by closures and major roadworks affect the UK's biggest motorways.

Around 800 miles of roadworks will remain in place on motorways and main A-roads. According to The Times, Highways England has confirmed the M1, M6 and M40 will be most affected.

Traffic is expected to build up from Friday lunchtime and experts are urging drivers to avoid travelling on Friday if possible.

Pete Williams, the head of external affairs at the RAC, told The Times (£): "As is typically the case, Friday looks set to be the most hectic day - so we're advising motorists who can set off early to do so to get ahead of the rest."

According to the Daily Mail, lane closures will bring speed restrictions of just 30mph on motorways hit by roadworks.

Train passengers also face disruption as rail workers are to stage a strike on Bank Holiday Monday in a dispute over the sacking of a colleague.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on East Coast trains based at Edinburgh's Waverley station will walk out for 24 hours, Press Association reports.

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The staff work as on-board train managers and catering managers on trains in and out of the station, including the intercity route to London King's Cross.

The union is protesting at the dismissal of Mark Doughty, saying he merely told passengers they could not have hot food on a journey to London because of a broken boiler and staff shortages.

Meanwhile, weather forecasters have predicted Britain will be wet with some sunshine this Bank Holiday weekend.

Forecaster Chris Burton, at The Weather Network, tells AOL Travel: "It's typical, there's a bank holiday coming up and there's rain in the forecast. However, it won't be a total washout with some dry and bright weather at times too.

"Saturday will be a dry day for many, but cloud will increase from the west into the afternoon with heavy rain and strong winds pushing into south-west England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The heavy rain will push north-eastwards overnight and into Sunday.

"Sunday looks the worst day of the weekend with much of the UK seeing cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain."

Mr Burton adds: "Bank Holiday Monday should hopefully be a drier and brighter day with spells of sunshine. Northern and western areas could still see a few showers and there is the risk of some rain in the far south later in the day.

"Temperatures will rise through the weekend and by Monday, highs in the mid to high teens are possible across the southern half of the UK."