Storm Dave Set to Disrupt Easter Travel Amid Busiest UK Roads in Four Years
Millions of Britons are bracing for Easter travel chaos as Storm Dave threatens to bring strong winds and hazardous conditions across the UK. An estimated 21.7 million journeys have been planned for the holiday weekend, according to a survey of over 13,000 AA members conducted after the onset of conflict in the Middle East. This surge in travel is predicted to make this the busiest year on UK roads since the post-Covid period in 2022, as reported by motoring services company RAC.
Weather Warnings and Travel Disruptions
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for very strong winds in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north Wales and northern England. Forecasters anticipate gusts of 50 to 60mph widely, potentially rising to 60 to 70mph in exposed locations and as high as 80 to 90mph in western Scotland. These conditions are expected to cause significant delays to road, rail, air, and ferry transport, with possible cancellations and closures of some roads and bridges, particularly affecting high-sided vehicles.
Rebecca Guy, senior policy manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, urged caution: "With yellow wind warnings now in place across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of northern England this Easter weekend, and heavy rain expected to move in from Friday, anyone travelling should take extra care on the roads." She emphasized the need for drivers to plan ahead, allow extra time, and adapt to challenging conditions by slowing down and increasing following distances.
Fuel Price Surge and Journey Patterns
Drivers are also contending with sharply rising fuel prices. The average price of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts reached 184.2p on Wednesday, a 29 per cent increase since the war began on 28 February. Petrol prices have climbed to 153.7p per litre, up 16 per cent over the same period. Despite these costs, most Easter journeys are planned to be relatively short, with 53 per cent of drivers expecting to travel under 50 miles and only 5 per cent planning trips of 50 to 100 miles, according to AA data.
Visiting family and friends remains the most common purpose for Easter road trips, followed by work and shopping. To ease congestion, National Highways will lift 1,500 miles of roadworks from motorways and major A roads in England between Thursday and Easter Monday. Expected congestion hotspots include the M6 through Birmingham and towards Blackpool, the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 in Bristol and the South West, the A303 in Wiltshire, and the M4 in South Wales.
International Travel Challenges
For those travelling abroad, additional hurdles await. Travel trade organisation Abta estimates that two million UK residents will journey overseas between Good Friday and Easter Monday. Drivers heading to continental Europe are advised to refuel before leaving the UK to save money, as analysis by the RAC Foundation shows the average petrol price in France was £1.71 per litre on 23 March, 25p higher than in the UK.
Moreover, UK holidaymakers flying to the European Union face potential two-hour delays due to the ramped-up deployment of the EU's entry-exit system. This new border system requires third-country nationals, including Britons, to register fingerprints and have photographs taken upon entering the Schengen Area. Airports Council International has reported a "continued deterioration in waiting times at border crossing points" across Europe, adding to the travel woes this Easter.
