Easter break blighted by road, rail & flight chaos
By PADRAIC FLANAGAN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
Published: 23:09, 19 April 2025 | Updated: 23:14, 19 April 2025
Easter[1] travellers faced road and rail misery yesterday (SAT) while strike action and weather warnings added to bank holiday headaches.
The AA estimated that more than 18 million people took to the roads, with a similar number expected to make journeys on the remaining days of the Easter weekend.
The worst blackspots were on the M6 in Birmingham[2] and further north near Blackpool; the south and western M25; the M5 around the Bristol area; and the A303 in Wiltshire.
Train passengers also faced a challenging day as Network Rail[3] worked to complete a programme of more than 300 engineering projects across Britain this weekend which had forced the closure of a number of railway lines.
The most severe impact was felt at London[4] Euston, with services halted and diversions in place to allow engineers to work on renewing overhead electric lines between London and Milton Keynes.
Striking drivers at Hull[5] Trains continued a long-running Aslef dispute over the sacking of a colleague, bringing disruption to weekend services. The company operates trains between Hull and London King's Cross.
Air travellers planning on flying to Bank Holiday destinations from Gatwick were also facing disruption until Tuesday morning thanks to a strike by baggage handlers in a dispute over pensions.
The AA estimated that more than 18 million people took to the roads, with a similar number expected to make journeys on the remaining days of the Easter weekend
The worst blackspots were on the M6 in Birmingham and further north near Blackpool; the south and western M25; the M5 around the Bristol area; and the A303 in Wiltshire
A couple sitting in deckchairs onto beach wearing warm jackets as they make the most of the cold and overcast weather at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset
The action, by more than 100 striking members of the Unite union working for ground handling firm Red Handling, was affecting passengers with Norwegian, Delta, TAP and Air Peace airlines. Roughly 50 flights are affected each day.
The Met Office issued warnings of potential flooding in the South West yesterday with drivers urged to take extra care in the worst-hit areas.
Meteorologist Honor Criswick said there was 'quite a wet start for many' yesterday (SAT) but that the rain was expected to fizzle out before a 'largely dry' Easter Sunday.
'There should be plenty of sunny spells around,' she added. 'Good news if you're heading out for an Easter egg hunt.'
Mark Garratt, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.'
The Met Office issued warnings of potential flooding in the South West yesterday with drivers urged to take extra care in the worst-hit areas
Rivington Reservoir near Bolton (pictured), which normally attracts crowds of walkers over the Easter weekend, was closed after two Second World War grenades were found by a member of the public
Meanwhile a north west beauty spot which normally attracts crowds of walkers over the Easter weekend was closed after two Second World War grenades were found by a member of the public.
Rivington Reservoir near Bolton was cordoned off to allow bomb disposal officers to remove the deactivated grenades - used by the Army to teach soldiers how to use the real things - before being reopened to the public yesterday evening.
And retail chiefs at Asda were hoping to trigger an Easter rush to stores after slashing prices of bestselling chocolate eggs.
The supermarket giant pledged to sell discounted eggs from major manufacturers until tomorrow (Monday).
References
- ^ Easter (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Network Rail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Hull (www.dailymail.co.uk)