Motorists in Shropshire were bracing themselves for traffic chaos with millions expected to take to the road from today for the big May Bank Holiday getaway.

Up to 11 million people are expected on the roads nationally over this weekend, with the heaviest traffic expected to be in the Midlands and the south as motorists head to the warmer coasts.

But the weather is expected to be good for people staying in the county, with dry and sunny weather and above average temperatures predicted.

Rail users in Shropshire should be able to get to London relatively easily with train company Wrexham & Shropshire running a full service over the weekend.

No engineering work or replacement buses are expected on the route through to London Marylebone, and on Monday the firm will be running a week day service with a modified timetable to suit leisure travellers.

However, on the roads motorists could face delays with the extra traffic and details released from the Highways Agency which says no roadworks will be lifted or suspended for the weekend, with a number in place across the country.

But no weekend or Bank Holiday work is scheduled for Shropshire’s A49 at Dorrington, where carriageway reconstruction, resurfacing and drainage work is currently taking place. Residents and visitors to Shropshire will have plenty to do with a variety of events planned to keep people busy during a weekend expected to be worth millions towards county tourism.

Big events planned include the Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest which is due to run until Monday and the British Falconry and Raptor Fair at Chetwynd Park, near Newport, on Sunday and Monday.

John Warner, Shropshire Star’s weatherman, said that some rain was expected today but tomorrow, Sunday and Monday were all expected to be dry with a fair amount of sunshine along with above average temperatures of about 14C (57F) to 15C (59F).

The RAC said Monday evening and Tuesday morning would see greater volumes of traffic than normal as people make their way home or back to work, with motorways expected to be the most congested.