Easter travel disruptions are expected to hit West Coast Mainline trains, with engineering works and road congestion affecting passengers across the UK.
Easter Disruption on West Coast Mainline: What You Need to Know
Engineering works will bring a cut in services on Britain’s biggest intercity line over the next four days, with replacement buses taking passengers north of Carlisle to Glasgow.
The West Coast Mainline is a major railway route connecting London to Glasgow in Scotland, passing through several key cities including Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool.
The line spans approximately 393 miles (632 km) and has been in operation since the 19th century.
With over 200 trains operating daily, it is one of the busiest railway routes in the UK, carrying millions of passengers annually.
The West Coast Mainline plays a crucial role in connecting major business hubs, tourist destinations, and population centers across the country.
Impact on Rail Services
Services from London Euston to Milton Keynes will be significantly reduced, while limited services will run on Good Friday and Easter Monday from London to Birmingham and Manchester. There will be no direct fast trains on Saturday and Sunday. Replacement buses will operate between Carlisle and Glasgow over the weekend.
Rail services disruptions can be caused by various factors, including mechanical failures, inclement weather, and staff shortages.
According to a study, an average of 150 train delays occur daily in the UK due to signaling issues.
In the US, Amtrak's on-time performance rate has been declining over the years, with only 72% of trains arriving on schedule in 2020.
Disruptions can have significant economic and social impacts, affecting commuters, businesses, and local economies.
Road Congestion and Air Travel
The bank holiday period is expected to see more than 19m cars on UK roads, with up to 15% more vehicles forecasted for Good Friday compared to last year. Drivers are advised that roadworks will be less of an issue, but traffic is still likely to be intense, particularly during peak hours.
Traffic hotspots include retail parks and hotel routes in the south-west, as well as the M25, M5, and A303. The Port of Dover expects to process around 5,500 cars on cross-Channel ferries on Friday morning.
Air Travel
More flights are scheduled for Easter this year than last, with 11,282 departures planned over the long weekend. This represents a 6% rise from 2023, although still slightly down from pre-pandemic levels. Some airlines are flying larger and fuller planes, which could lead to higher passenger numbers.
The international destinations attracting the most UK passengers are Dublin, Amsterdam, Málaga, Alicante, and Mallorca, with Abta reporting a large number of bookings for Thailand as well.
- theguardian.com | Rail passengers face Easter disruption on west coast mainline
