Easter travelers today were stranded at airports and highways in the UK as millions tried to flee for the public holiday weekend.
There were long queues in the network, and the M4 was closed in both directions after an explosion in an industrial building, “probably including pyrotechnics and fireworks.”
Passengers were also affected by airport delays amid continuing staff shortages, chaos caused by M25 accidents and parts of London stalled thanks to Extinction Rebellion protesters.
An overturned truck also caused delays of up to 40 minutes on part of the M6 earlier Saturday, according to AA President Edmund King. He said the M25 was also “incredibly slow both on the west side around Heathrow and on the east side near Dartford”.
AA estimates that a total of 27.6 million trips will be more busy than usual, as people enjoy the good weather and stay for the first Easter weekend without restrictions for Covid-19 from 2019.
Engineering works and railway strikes have meant more people are using the roads, while delays and cancellations continue to ruin airlines and ferries.
British Airways has reportedly stopped loading luggage on some flights and left dozens of planes uncleaned as it struggles to cope with the huge demand over Easter weekend.
Hundreds of cancellations have followed in recent weeks due to staff shortages, leaving tens of thousands of Britons stranded at airports in the UK.
There were also major traffic jams on the M20 in Dover, as P&O Dover-Calais services were suspended, with some passengers complaining that they missed their ferries after waiting for hours.
The Newbury M4 motorway was closed in both directions after a large building containing fireworks and pyrotechnics exploded at noon today.
Drivers faced significant delays after the road was closed and the fire department dealt with the problem
Families hoping to escape the second day of the glorious sun were greeted with long queues after a crash in Surrey, and a separate “police incident” at Dartford Crossing stopped traffic.
The images show huge lines of cars stretching for miles.
DFDS advised customers to arrive at least two hours before departure on Friday morning, adding that they were “expecting a busy day through Dover Harbor”.
Ashley Griffiths-Beamen, 33, and her husband, Damian Griffiths-Beamen, 36, who got married on Thursday and had to travel to Belgium to celebrate their honeymoon, waited 180 minutes and missed their ferry.
Amanda Burton, 33, of Peterborough, said she arrived in Dover at 4 a.m. Friday morning, but missed her ferry at 8 a.m.
The M4 accident happened at 13.41 between the 13-14 intersection in Westbrook, Newbury. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue said it believed pyrotechnics and fireworks were possible on the scene.
Emergency services set up a large cordon around the area as the National Highways closed the M4 after debris was strewn on both sides of the roadway.
Firefighters asked the public to avoid the scene while dealing with the incident.
According to National Highways: “The M4 was closed in both directions between J13 and J14 due to a large fire in the building near the M4, causing debris to fall on the roadway.
“Thames Valley police are leading the operation, and the Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is working to contain the blaze.
“If this closure affects your planned route, please allow extra time to travel. Plan ahead, you may want to redirect or even postpone your trip.
Families hoping to flee the UK on the second day of the glorious sun were greeted with long queues following the Surrey crash and a separate “police incident” at the Dartford junction that halted traffic.
A statement said: “We are currently at the scene of an accident at the Dartford River.
“We were called to worry about the well-being of a woman in the area shortly after 10 a.m. this Saturday, April 16.
“The checkpoint is closed while the incident is being worked on. National highways will facilitate diversion through one of the tunnels.
“We will provide up-to-date information on the situation as soon as possible.”
Drivers are facing a chaotic start to the Easter holidays, although it is believed that the traffic today is not as heavy as the escape on Good Friday, according to AA.
Drivers are facing a chaotic start to the Easter holidays, although traffic today is not considered as heavy as the escape on Good Friday, according to AA
Essex police call on people to avoid Dartford crossroads after being summoned to Queen Elizabeth II Bridge earlier today for a “police incident”
In Manchester, emergency services were called for a two-car crash in Regent Road, Salford, around 8 am today
Firefighters rescued two people who were trapped in one of the cars. The road was stuck between Ordsol Lane and Trinity Way after the crash.
Photos from the scene show two severely damaged cars in the detached area. Four people were taken to hospital, police said. GMP says no arrests have been made, but at 4.30pm the entrance lane remains closed.
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Around 8 am this morning (Saturday, April 16) we received a signal for a road collision with two cars on Regent Road, Salford.
“Two Salford fire trucks and Lee’s technical response unit were mobilized for the incident, where firefighters used cutting equipment and other specialized equipment to rescue two people from a vehicle and hand them over to colleagues in the Northwest Ambulance.
“Two other people saved themselves before the crew arrived. “Firefighters secured the area before leaving the scene in about an hour and a half.”
Four people were taken to hospital, and the main road to Manchester was closed after a car crash this morning
Ambulances were called for the two-car crash in Regent Road, Salford, around 8 a.m. this morning. Firefighters rescued two people who were trapped in one of the cars
The automotive organization predicts a total of 27.6 million trips during a busier weekend than usual, as people enjoy the good weather, go on stays and avoid traveling by train due to engineering work.
The crash caused delays of up to 40 minutes on part of the M6 earlier Saturday, according to AA President Edmund King.
He added that routes to the southwest were not as busy as Good Friday, but there were some delays on the M4 and M5 near Bristol.
He said: “Today the traffic is heavy, but less congested than Good Friday.
“I drove 176 miles in three and a half hours from Hertfordshire to Old Trafford and loaded the car on the road.
“Overall, the picture is loaded, but overall, the traffic is flowing.”
The RAC suggested that the best time to travel on major roads is after 3:00 pm on both Easter Saturday and Sunday, and then either before 10:30 am on Easter Monday or after 6:30 pm. to avoid large queues.
The National Highway warned people of a “police incident” near the QEII bridge earlier today
Lack of staff has wreaked havoc at Manchester, Birmingham and Heathrow airports amid growing demand for Easter getaways, with airlines canceling hundreds of flights.
A total of 1,236 flights in the UK were canceled by airlines between March 28 and April 12, according to data firm Cirium – an increase of 428% over the same period in 2019.
Chaos ensued when temperatures reached 20.2 ° C in Northholt, west London, by 1pm, with mercury expected to reach 23 ° C in the late afternoon, making it the hottest day of the year.
The current highest temperature is 20.8C, which was registered in two places, St. James’s Park in London on March 23 and Treknow in Cornwall on March 25.
Edmund King, President of AA, said: “The hot weather, the lack of trains and the increase in stays in the UK mean that the roads will be busier than usual this Easter with 27.6 million trips.
“The congestion is already on the M20 due to Operation Stack, and the M25 is suffering from severe congestion on the west side around Heathrow and on the east near Dartford.
“The festive traffic to the SW led to traffic jams on the M4 and M5 near Bristol.
“Britain’s backbone in the M1 and M6 also suffers from heavy traffic and hotspot accidents near Hemel Hempstead, Sandbach and the Bumber Bridge.
“Drivers are advised to check their cars before traveling, in particular tire pressure, oil, windscreen washer and fuel level, as well as to prepare with water and snacks.
“Allow yourself extra time to travel and make regular stops at least every two hours or so during your trip.”
There have also been some reports of fuel shortages, although the Association of Gasoline Retailers (PRA), which represents independent front courts, said it was not aware of widespread problems.
Gordon Ballmer, PRA’s chief executive, said: “We are aware of the protests at several fuel outlets; however, the majority is not affected.
“Fuel suppliers are working hard to ensure that fuels are delivered as quickly as possible and that our members work closely with them and follow their advice.”
A female driver in London said: “(I) have not yet been able to (gain), I am still trying to find some in East London, Newham.
“I tried about five different stations, now I managed to get some at a Texaco gas station, but only two pumps were working.”
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