Motoring organisations are predicting the most congested Easter yet, with up to 16 million cars expected on Britain’s roads over the long weekend.

The AA forecast a 10 per cent increase in traffic, with congestion peaking from this afternoon. Drivers were advised to allow 50 per cent more time for their journeys.

One reason for the expected crush is that Easter, the earliest since 1913, falls during school term, so parents will be making their getaway as soon as school ends this afternoon. Traffic is also expected to be heavy late on Easter Monday as families head home.

A Siberian cold snap is also expected to hit Britain today, bringing further delays for travellers. Blizzards and wintry showers are forecast for northern and eastern areas.

To add to the problems, fears about the economy have led to thousands of holidaymakers remaining in Britain, the RAC said. “The credit crunch is taking its toll, with 43 per cent of motorists less likely to travel abroad this Easter compared with last year,” it said. “People are more likely to stay at home, putting more cars on the road rather than heading abroad.

“Last year we had better weather and Easter fell in school holidays. Now everyone’s leaving on Thursday and coming back on Monday.”

Visit Britain, the official site of the British Tourist Industry, said that 550,000 extra people were expected to holiday at home this year compared with 2007. “The current economic outlook could mean British resorts are bracing themselves for bumper visitor numbers this Easter,” Tom Wright, Visit Britain’s chief executive, said.

The Camping and Caravanning Club said that advance bookings were up 32 per cent on last year, despite the predicted cold snap.

About two million passengers will fly in and out of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Tomorrow is expected to be the busiest day, with 428,000 passengers across the seven airports.

Rail passengers also face delays and cancellations, with Network Rail carrying out engineering work on several main lines.

Rail disruption

West Coast Main Line London Euston closed to all Virgin West Coast trains. Southbound Virgin services terminating at either Birmingham or Coventry
East Coast Main Line Replacement buses between Larbert and Dunblane, and Edinburgh and Perth via Kirkcaldy
South West Trains Significant engineering work between Vauxhall and Wimbledon in southwest London
Southern Trains Engineering work between Battersea Park and Peckham Rye in South London and between Arundel and Chichester in West Sussex
Northern Trains Replacement buses between Sheffield and Meadowhall and between Doncaster and Selby
East Anglia Replacement buses out of Liverpool Street between Gidea Park and Billericay in Essex
Merseyrail Replacement buses between Birkenhead North and West Kirby
First Great Western Replacement buses between Chippenham and Swindon and between Swindon and Bristol Parkway
Chiltern Railways Replacement buses between Amersham and Beaconsfield
Arriva Trains Wales Replacement buses between Chester and Crewe and between Taffs Well and Cardiff Central

Road disruption

M5 between Bristol and the West Country
M4 between London and the M4/M5 interchange, and into South Wales
M25 particularly near Heathrow
M1 from J25 (Nottingham) to J29 (Chesterfield)
M1 northbound around Luton
M6 through the West Midlands from J5 to J10
M6 through Lancashire towards Lake District and M61/M55 interchanges
M56/A55 towards North Wales
M27 between Junction 3 and Junction 4
M11 around Stansted

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