Major congestion expected this weekend

The RAC said that among the routes expected to be particularly busy were those to the West Country, to the Lake District and to Blackpool, with roads from northern England to north Wales and between the Midlands and Norfolk also likely to be congested.

It also warned of disruption on routes leading to sporting venues. Among the events this weekend are the Football League play-offs at Wembley, the Scottish FA Cup Final in Glasgow on Saturday, the England v New Zealand Test Match in Manchester and the Rugby Union Heineken Cup Final in Cardiff on Saturday.

RAC patrolman of the year, Iain Vale, said: "This is also the weekend that RAC patrols really see traffic to holiday resorts pick up with the start of school's half term, and, if the sun shines, we'll be expecting heavy traffic as everyone makes a dash for the beaches."

On a positive note, the Highways Agency said that almost half of all major roadworks on England's motorways and major A roads would be completed or suspended for the Bank Holiday weekend.