Drivers hit with rocky start as queues ran 20 miles long with delays of 45 minutes

The RAC detailed how drivers heading south caused majority of the congestion after forecasters predicted sunnier spells there in these regions over the next few days.

Queues of 15 to 20 miles were seen on the M4 and M5 interchange near Bristol, adding 45 minutes on journey times.

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On the West of the M25 it saw traffic queues of up to 40 minutes with traffic described by drivers as “pretty bad” and a “lot worse than normal” for this time of year.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Everyone’s heading to Devon and Cornwall, that’s the attraction, and there’s been a bit of better weather.

“It’s causing some pretty horrendous queues.”

Ahead of the Easter weekend, driver were warned journeys could take twice as long on some routes with them being urged to plan ahead and not travel during peak times.

Peak times included between 9am and 4pm on Good Friday on selected motorways and A roads as traffic congestion was estimated to be at its worst them.

It was estimated that 14 million trips by road would be made this Easter with delays inevitable.

At the Port of Dover, drivers looking to cross the channel were hit with two hours delays.

Ferry company DFDS reported that its services at Dover were running with delays due to strong winds in the Channel.

The strong winds were brought by Storm Nelson which saw gusts of 50mph hit UK roads and sanctioned a Met Office yellow weather warning across London, the South East, the South West and east of England.

Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: “The weather is expected to gradually improve following the widely unsettled spell of the past few days, with a fairly typical mix of spring-like weather across the UK.

“There will be some sunshine, and it will feel increasingly warm for most as the winds become lighter.

“However, the West and especially South West is likely to see passing showers too, which could be quite heavy and frequent at times.”

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On Easter Saturday and Sunday, the worst time to travel is estimated to be between 11am and 2pm while drivers heading home on Monday should avoid driving between 10am and 5pm.