National Highways is lifting more than 850 miles of roadworks as the country faces a wet bank holiday getaway, while rail passengers will see the traditional Easter disruption.
The government-owned company said that around 98% of its network will be free from roadworks over the holiday period, with traffic management removed by 6am on Thursday and not put back until Tuesday.
Customer services director Andy Butterfield said: ‘This is the first bank holiday of the year, so we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.
‘We are doing what we can to make journeys easier by removing miles of roadworks, but I would encourage everyone to take some time, plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is prepared for what might be a long journey.'
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'Heavy rain and wind this Thursday mean road conditions may be bleak for millions of Easter getaway drivers, especially those heading to the South coast and the South West where a yellow weather warning is in place.
'The traffic and wet weather both seem set to get worse throughout the day, so it’s best to leave as early as possible or put off trips until the evening when traffic is likely to ease.'
National Highways reminded drivers travelling to the Kent ports that Operation Brock is active on the M20.
According to the company’s webpage, the Operation Brock contraflow system is designed to keep traffic on the M20 and other roads in Kent moving when there is disruption to travel across the English Channel.
However, it said this week that it has been deployed ahead of the Easter holiday ‘due to expected high passenger numbers’.
Network Rail said that its engineers are gearing up for a £90m programme of engineering work over the long weekend, although more than 95% of its network will be open for business.
The infrastructure operator said that, unlike the roads, the railways are actually quieter over a long Bank Holiday weekend compared to a ‘normal long weekend’.
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