MOTORISTS can expect queues of traffic this Easter weekend as an extra 12 million journeys are expected on the UK's roads.

According to a survey of 1,800 drivers conducted by the RAC, tomorrow (Friday) will be the worst for travelling, with major routes clogging up between 11am and 4.30pm.

The worst delays on Good Friday (April 19) are expected on the M5 southbound, passing west of Bristol (J16-J19) – part of the popular holiday route towards Devon and Cornwall.

But in Gwent, delays of 17 minutes are expected on Saturday on the M4 west J22 to J29.

The RAC has advised travelling outside peak times – early in the morning or late in the evening – to avoid the queues.

RAC Traffic Watch spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “This week we’re expecting a significant second wave of Easter getaway traffic, following that which we saw at the start of April when schools broke up.

"This will mean the bank holiday will likely be characterised by lengthy queues in some spots.”

According to the Met Office, highs of 21C are expected tomorrow, and with the rest of the weekend staying at highs of 20C, many will be rushing to the coast to make the most of the sunshine.

Train works

Train services will be reduced, due to electrification works in the Severn Tunnel over the extended Easter weekend.

When complete these would enable passengers to enjoy the full benefits of the new Intercity Express Trains.

GWR operations director Rob Mullen said: “We have worked hard with our colleagues at Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum, but this work needs to be done to allow customers to take full advantage of new Intercity Express Trains on a more resilient and reliable network."

Services will be affected between Bristol Parkway and Newport from Good Friday until Easter Monday (April 22), inclusive.

• Trains between London Paddington and South Wales will terminate at Bristol Parkway and restart from Newport.

• Replacement buses and coaches will operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport, with some calling additionally at Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction.

For more details about the impact on train services of rail engineering work, visit GWR.com/Upgrade.