Easter travel disruption likely on rail and roads

 

People travelling by rail over Easter should "think twice", Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has said.

He told the Evening Standard large-scale rail engineering work may make journeys more difficult.
Several major rail routes are affected, particularly the London to Scotland West Coast main line, parts of Kent and lines running through Reading.
The RAC said four million motorists were expected to travel on Good Friday and some 4.5 million on Easter Sunday.


Arriva Trains said passengers in Wales travelling to London would face delays due to engineering works.
"There will be alternatives and we've lifted almost all motorway roadworks to help," Mr McLoughlin said.
More than 550 miles of roadworks have been put on hold over the weekend by Highways England, formerly the Highways Agency.
For safety reasons the speed restrictions will remain in place but the roadworks, on England's motorways and major A roads, will not resume until Tuesday.
Mr McLoughlin said "an army of 14,000 workers" would be working around the clock over the Easter weekend to upgrade train lines.
"But if you are travelling between Friday and Monday night please check your journey first, it may be that you'll think twice about how you travel.
"I'm sorry if it is more difficult - but my promise is that the work is essential and when it's done the benefits will be worthwhile."