Road and rail bear brunt of holiday getaway

Millions of people were today flying out or taking to the roads as the bank holiday exodus got under way.

Airports were braced for record numbers of travellers, with 1.8 million people jetting in or out.

The AA said 18 million cars would hit the roads, with congestion worst on routes to the coast and popular spots in the countryside, as well as the M25 and key routes within London. Engineering work will also cause disruption on many rail and Tube routes.

Rail: Lines from Woking to Basingstoke and Basingstoke to Winchester closed Saturday to early Tuesday. South West Trains replaced with buses.

Lines between Denmark Hill and Shortlands and between Nunhead and Lewisham closed Saturday and Sunday. Replacement buses between Herne Hill and Beckenham Junction, and Herne Hill and Lewisham.

Replacement buses between Alexandra Palace and Stevenage via Hertford North on Sunday. Buses replace trains between Shenfield and Chelmsford on Sunday and Monday. Replacement buses between Harlow Town and Waltham Cross, and Enfield Town and Hertford East.

Tube: Circle line - no service on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

District line: no service between Earl's Court and Whitechapel. On Saturday a special replacement bus operates from 8am to 7pm between Knightsbridge and Victoria.

Metropolitan line: no service between Moor Park and Amersham or Chesham over all three days. Replacement buses between Croxley and Chesham.

Waterloo & City line: No service on Saturday.

Plaistow station closed over all three days. Replacement buses between Plaistow and West Ham. Tube tickets also valid on some local bus routes.

Travel information: Airports: www.baa.co.uk National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50 AA Roadwatch: 0900 340 11 00; www.theaa.com