AS TRAIN stations close, airports ramp up security checks and petrol prices rise holiday makers should prepare for travel chaos ahead of the bank holiday.
Those planning to get away this week for Easter half term will have to allow extra time to allow for possible cancellations or unplanned queuing.
Airports across the country have warned travellers of growing security delays (stock)Credit: Getty Images
Stations are also facing delays, with a number of key railway lines closingCredit: Thinglass
Fuel prices are hitting a yearly high, rising above 150p a litreCredit: Alamy
As major railway stations close, cancellations and replacement buses can be expected
A number of major railway stations across the UK will be closed in April, causing countless cancellations and significantly slower replacement bus services.
Both and Piccadilly station are slashing parts of their service over the next couple of weekends.
This will affect London commuters travelling north and Mancunian travellers going south.
The closure of the line between London and Milton Keynes will severely impact services to and from one of the country’s busiest stations, London Euston.
The line which connects the North with the capital will be closed while the track undergoes upgrade works alongside 270 other projects set to take place over the Easter period.
This comes as announced it will be spending £400million on investments.
Some of these lines affected run also run through Clapham Junction and London Waterloo, which will cause chaos in the capital.
Today who tried to escape before the weekend have been hit with unexpected delays.
A fire was reported between Sittingbourne and Faversham, meaning all lines between Ramsgate and London St Pancras, including Charing Cross, Faversham, Victoria, and Dover Priory are closed.
Disruption was expected until 4pm, but the fallout has continued into the early evening.
Sadly driving to your destination might not be the solution to your travel nightmare.
As rise above 150p a litre for the first time in a year, motorists will have to pay eye-watering prices to travel.
Diesel drivers could be hit even worse, as prices fuel approaches 180p a litre amid the conflict in the Middle East.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin said: “Fuel prices may have risen sharply in recent weeks, but our research with drivers shows they are still determined to make the most of the Easter break.
“Despite diesel costing around £19 more per tank than last year and petrol about £8 more, only a small number of people are actually changing their plans.
“This year we’re expecting one of the busiest Easter getaways since 2022, with planned leisure trips rising again for the second year running.”
He went on to explain that traffic is likely to build from Thursday as schools break up, and the M5 towards Devon and Cornwall and M25 are expected to be particularly congested.
Kimberlin said: “The worst delays are expected from around 10am, so getting on the road early is still the best way to avoid the queues.”
For those holidaying abroad severe delays are also expected at airports, as new EU regulations security are put in place, expecting to increase passport control queues .
From April 10, all EU airports will have a new Entry/Exit system implemented.
The new system includes storing digital records of your passport, a photo of your face, and for those 12 and over, your fingerprints.
Some airports across the continent have already begun the new checks, which are set to replace passport stamps.
The system will echo the United States’ border control, as biometric details including fingerprints will begin being taken.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “The EU’s Entry/Exit System will be a significant change for Brits travelling this Easter.
“Always check with your transport operator in case extra time may be needed, both for your return to the UK and travelling to the EU.”
The government has leaving up to four hours to get through queues in the airport in accordance with this new change.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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