Rail and roadworks set to make London getaway nightmare

Rail delays and roadworks are set to blight the bank holiday for Londoners planning to leave the city.

This weekend will be one of the busiest for years as cash-strapped families avoid overseas holidays and take to the roads on day trips, according to the RAC. Days of flight cancellations because of the Icelandic volcanic ash have also discouraged the last-minute booking of air tickets.

The impact of the extra traffic will be worsened by the closure of one of the capital's busiest roads - the northbound A406 Gunnersbury Avenue from Chiswick roundabout - from 8pm tomorrow because a water main needs repairing. The work could take up to 10 days.

Rail engineering work will see trains replaced by buses on parts of main lines from London to Glasgow, Weymouth, South Wales, Ipswich, Derby and Nottingham. Passenger groups criticised Network Rail.