UK weather: Hottest day of the year so far – as millions of Bank Holiday travellers face delays | UK News

Good Friday has been the hottest day of the year so far, with Bank Holiday traffic filling roads across the country.

The 22C (71.6F) in St James’s Park, central London, beats the previous record of 20.8C (69.4F) set in London on 23 March and Cornwall on 25 March.

It comes as families face disruptions on the roads, rail network and at airports, with 27.6 million car journeys expected to be made over the Easter weekend as well as 9,212 flights.

Ahead of the first Easter holiday weekend without COVID restrictions in three years, families were warned of delays, with motorists urged to begin their getaways on Saturday rather than Friday.

Read more: Everything you need to know amid fears of road and rail chaos

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Traffic jams on the M3 near Egham, Surrey on Friday

Traffic has been heaviest on the M20 in Kent today, following the suspension of P&O ferries between Dover and Calais all weekend.

An overturned lorry has seen tailbacks on the M6 in Greater Manchester, while heavy congestion was reported on the M25 near Heathrow Airport.

Increased traffic headed for the South West has meant large queues on the M4 and M5 southbound, the AA said.

President Edmund King said: “Hot weather, lack of trains and an increase in UK staycations means that the roads will be busier than usual this Easter with 27.6m journeys.

“Drivers are advised to check their cars before travelling and in particular tyre pressures, oil, windscreen washer and fuel levels, as well as preparing for themselves with water and snacks.”

Bluebells in Wanstead Park, east London on Good Friday

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Bluebells in Wanstead Park, east London, on Good Friday

There are also likely to be queues around Stansted and Gatwick airports as weekend engineering works mean buses replace trains on routes from London.

Trains are cancelled on the West Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes.

In London, Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked four of the bridges over the Thames as part of demonstrations against new fossil fuel investments.

The Metropolitan Police said of the action at Waterloo, Blackfriars, Lambeth and Westminster: “We are seeing pockets of protest which are causing delays and disruption across central London.

“A policing operation is in place and officers are on scene and working to manage the impact.”

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-weather-good-friday-becomes-hottest-day-of-year-so-far-after-22c-recorded-in-london-12590585

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