Traffic jams hit holiday getaway

Millions of motorists endured long queues in traffic jams as the bank holiday getaway peaked.

Britons were expected to hit the roads in their droves after schools broke up for half-term on Friday.

The volume of traffic built up from 7.30am with delays reported on motorways and key routes to holiday destinations such as the south-west of England, experts said.

Rain added to problems on the roads as cool and showery weather affected the country in contrast to last weekend's hot conditions.

Forecasters predicted an improvement in the weather by Monday when sunshine should prevail.

Graham Smith, data manager at Trafficmaster, said: "It's far worse than last night. A lot of people have gone on the move today and the wet weather hasn't helped.

"Normally by this time on a Saturday things would have started to ease off - even on a bank holiday - but it's far busier than it would normally be."

Mr Smith said traffic hotspots included the M5 towards the West Country - which built up from 7.30am, the A303 across Salisbury Plain, the M3 and M27 towards the south coast, the western section of the M25, the Dartford crossing in both directions, the M1 northbound and the M6 through Birmingham.

The Highways Agency has suspended more than 30 sets of roadworks until Monday, but 32 remain in place, including a section of the M25 in Hertfordshire.

Meanwhile, rail passengers were having to contend with delays and cancellations on some lines due to engineering work, while a number of Tube lines were partly suspended during the weekend. And British Airways passengers also face disruption, with cabin crew set to start a second five-day walkout from Monday.