Traffic jams, rail chaos and ferry queues...it must be Easter!

BRITAIN'S worst Easter road chaos for years faces a "Slowdown Sunday" as millions switch day trips from tomorrow's wet Bank Holiday to today's balmier weather.

- Tony Whitfield

Travellers are suffering the most disrupted spring break since before Covid, with 2,700 roadworks, three-hour Dover ferry queues, 2,000 delayed or cancelled trains, and clogged airports.

Today was forecast to be as busy as Good Friday for leisure travel, the RAC said, and now several million additional drivers are set to bring forward trips as tomorrow is looking a write-off for outdoor activities, with rain and blustery winds.

Some leisure 17 million journeys are taking place over the weekend.

Today, the western section of the M25 risks up to five miles of crawling traffic as millions head out of London. Queues are expected into Brighton and Bournemouth.

The 2,707 roadworks are adding to the misery, RAC data showed. Council and utility firm roadworks are not removed for Easter.

Drivers were told to travel early morning or mid-afternoon if they want to avoid the worst jams.

With 18C temperatures predicted, today is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far.

Forecasters said high pressure moving across the UK has "timed itself nicely" and it could be warmer than some Greek islands including Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.