23 Mar 2008

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By Sky News SkyNews - Sunday, March 23 08:45 am

Motorists are facing miserable journeys back from Easter breaks on Monday as millions return home early in bad weather.

The traffic will be heavier than usual this year because most children go back to school on Tuesday, the result of Easter falling so early.

They would normally have the whole week off.

The RAC said the knock-on effect would be large numbers of families clogging the busiest routes.

With snow settling in parts of the country, many could also face difficult driving conditions.

A RAC spokesman said: "Around 16 million people will have set off from Maundy Thursday through to Easter Sunday.

"Now there's a deadline to be met so many of these millions will be heading home tomorrow.

"In the past return journeys have been much more staggered."

As well as the school rush, the RAC said economic fears have forced Britons to shun foreign holidays for trips in the UK.

Fewer trains running during the break has also led to a surge in traffic volumes on the roads.

The RAC spokesman advised: "The most important thing this Monday is to leave a lot of time because I anticipate you will need it - and take a warm drink and a blanket just in case."

The cold spell has so far caused little disruption at airports, but staff at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are bracing themselves for a busy Easter Monday.

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