Travel disruption expected as motorists gear up for busy Easter weekend
It's due to be the busiest weekend on UK roads in eight years
Motorists are being warned that the upcoming Easter weekend will be the busiest on UK roads for eight years.
Over 21.5 million car journeys are expected to be made throughout the UK between Good Friday and Easter Monday, according to breakdown company RAC.
As a result, this will be the busiest weekend on record since the company began monitoring people's movements for Easter in 2014.
According to the company, the single busiest day over the weekend will be Good Friday, as millions of people get on the roads to their destinations.
Those looking to avoid as much of the congestion as possible are being advised to either make their journey before 9am or push it back to after 7:30 pm.
A number of roads are expected to become traffic jam hotspots, with traffic information supplier Inrix highlighting the prospect of delays on the M6, M25 and A303 - which runs close to Stonehenge.
Speaking ahead of the busy weekend, the RAC's traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said that figures are increased due to the newly regained freedom of movement after COVID restrictions had previously stopped plans.
"After two years of relatively quiet Easter bank holidays on the roads, our research suggests a return to traffic levels that are much more typical of this time of year," he said.
"It's very possible this weekend could turn out to be one of the busiest for leisure journeys for many years.
"Add in the impact of disruption on the rail network and one of the biggest fixtures of the sporting calendar taking place this weekend, and you have all the ingredients needed for problems on the roads.
"Traffic volumes will likely be even higher if some warm spring sunshine makes an appearance."
Disruption is also expected on other modes of transport over the weekend, as airports continue to struggle with long security waiting times due to staff shortages.
As well as this, the cost of fuel is also increasing, with the average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol standing at 161.9p, while the price of diesel remains higher at 176.0p per litre.