Easter holidaymakers have been warned their journeys to and from popular tourist hot-spots – including the Lake District and Devon – could be blighted by roadworks.
Last year, over six million people planned a trip over the Easter break.
This year Easter Sunday arrives on 31st March and is sandwiched between a bank holiday on Good Friday, 29th March, and Easter Monday, 1st April.
For many, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a long weekend away.
Meanwhile many schools will also break up for a two week holiday – with lots of families hitting the road for an extended vacation.
But what many Brits are not counting on is facing road closure which could scupper their Easter holiday plans from the get-go.
According to data from Traffic England, 28 planned road closures are set to fall over the two-week Easter holiday period, affecting both those planning to travel south and north.
Here are some of the key roadwork hotspots:
Lake District
The Lakes attracts around 18.1 million visitors annually. But if you’re leaving the Lake District, heading south, from Wednesday 3rd April, via the M6, you might encounter delays. The M6 South, heading towards Lancaster, will have roadworks between junctions 35 and 34 from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm from 3 to 5 April. Opting for the A6 between Kendal and Lancaster instead might add some time on to your journey but save you the despair of standstill traffic and delays.
Devon
Beachgoers driving to West Bay and Lyme Regis will encounter roadworks on the A35 from 9am on 3 April to 6am on 4 April. These roadworks are expected to cause minor delays but it may still be worth an early departure to avoid congestion.
These roadworks will take place on the A35 in an easterly direction between junctions for the A3052 and A3066 and the A35 in a westerly direction between junctions for the A3066 and A3052, although delays are likely to be minor. But motorists shouldn’t underestimate the busy-ness of the roads, especially during the school holidays.
Cornwall
A notable disruption affecting the south, and all holiday sunseekers heading in this direction, is a two-month-long road maintenance plan affecting the main road from Land’s End to the rest of South Cornwall. This is planned to start on 2 April on the A30 between the A3047 Redruth east and Redruth west, and the A3047 Cambourne east to Redruth west. The delays will run in a westerly and easterly direction respectively, between 9 am and 4 pm.
Kent
Roadworks are scheduled for the A21 going south, from Tonbridge East to Tonbridge West, on Friday 29 March, expected to result in ‘moderate disruption’. Tonbridge, located in Kent and home to a 900-year-old castle, is a popular tourist location. This is likely to drive higher than usual volumes of traffic.
Midlands
On the A46, heading south from Leicester to Nottingham, disruptions will occur from 1 to 8 April. On the A50, roadworks will begin on 1 April for one day, affecting the eastbound lanes on a key route connecting Birmingham and Manchester.
Scheduled throughout the day, these roadworks are expected to interfere with the traffic patterns. Drivers are advised to steer clear of the A21 and A46 between 10 am and 8 pm to avoid delays. For those unable to avoid these areas, it's recommended to leave early, potentially exiting before the A21 exit slip to circumvent roadworks. The A46 roadworks, deemed 'severe', mean the M1 is an alternative for travellers going between Nottingham and Leicester.
Birmingham Airport
Those flying from Birmingham airport for the Easter holidays face five minor roadworks on the A45 between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm, with potential impacts on airport access. These roadworks are planned for 5, 8 and 12 April. Missing a flight is easier than one might think, especially when the airport is busy, and motorists shouldn’t underestimate the impact ‘minor’ delays could have on their trip.
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