Traffic on the M25 today. Picture: Martin Jefferies

by Tiia Mustonen

Thousands of travellers are expected to clog up Kent’s road and rail network today ahead of the Easter break.

Experts have predicted one of the busiest weekends ever as holiday-makers take advantage of the balmy weather and two Bank Holidays.

Traffic information company Trafficmaster warned drivers that the county’s ports will be badly hit.

The AA has also warned the M25, A20 and A2 are likely to suffer congestion.

AA patrolman of the year Paul Leather said: "Our research shows that Easter will be the busier of the two Bank Holiday weekends, as the schools are still out.

"We expect congestion to peak today."

Bookings on the Channel Tunnel have also gone through the roof.

Eurotunnel spokesman John Keefe said the service has had to put on extra shuttle services to meet the increased demand.

"Over the whole weekend we are expecting to see about 50,000 vehicles going through the Channel Tunnel," he said.

"That adds up to something like 150,000 people and alongside them 1,000 pets."

A spokeswoman for Eurostar said: "It’s one of our busiest Eastern weekends ever.

"We have seen a real surge in bookings. People are really taking a good opportunity to have a good break and combine a couple of Bank Holidays."

She added that tourists are flocking from mainland Europe to see Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot on April 29.

Passenger figures for the Royal Wedding weekend are up by around 28 per cent on the same weekend last year.