Traffic jam hotspots bank holiday getaway warning.

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Drivers in the UK are warned of traffic congestion hotspots during the upcoming bank holiday weekend. The RAC estimates that over 14 million drivers will make leisure trips, almost two million more than last year. Saturday is expected to be the busiest day with 3.1 million trips, followed by Friday with 2.8 million. Transport experts predict delays of up to 55 minutes on key routes such as the M1 and M5. National Highways is lifting almost 1000 miles of roadworks to ease congestion.

FutureCar Staff Aug 22, 2023 9:19 AM PT

Traffic jam hotspots bank holiday getaway warning.

Drivers in the UK are being cautioned about potential traffic congestion on key routes during the upcoming bank holiday weekend. According to data from the RAC, more than 14 million drivers are expected to take leisure trips this weekend, which is nearly two million more than last year. Saturday is projected to be the busiest day on the roads, with approximately 3.1 million separate trips planned. This is followed by Friday with 2.8 million trips, Sunday with 2.3 million trips, and bank holiday Monday with 1.9 million trips.

In addition to these estimates, there are an additional 4.2 million trips that will be made by drivers who have yet to decide on which day to travel. Although the overall number of getaway trips is higher than last year, they are not as high as previous years when fuel prices were lower. The most popular destinations for the bank holiday weekend are Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, followed by the West Country, Wales, and Scotland.

Transport experts at Inrix are warning drivers of longer-than-normal journeys on certain routes. On Friday around 1pm, delays of 55 minutes are expected on the M1 North J12 to J16, 34 minutes on the M25 anticlockwise J4 to J1, and 24 minutes on the M4 East J29 to J24. On Saturday, the worst delay will be 37 minutes on the M5 South J15 to J23 around midday. On Sunday, there will be a 34-minute delay on the M1 South J16 to J6 around 4.30pm. On bank holiday Monday around 2pm, drivers on the M5 North J25 to J15 can expect their journeys to take 30 minutes longer.

Drivers are advised to avoid major roads between 10am and 7pm on Friday, between 10am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, and between 10am and 4pm on Monday. The best times to travel are before 10am on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and after 3pm on Saturday. Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at Inrix, expects significant delays on major roads, particularly the M25 and M1, as well as routes to the West.

National Highways is also taking steps to assist motorists during the August bank holiday by lifting almost 1000 miles of roadworks. A total of 972 miles of roadworks will be completed or lifted in time for the late summer getaway, benefiting popular destinations such as seaside resorts, airports, and theme parks. Drivers are reminded to follow National Highways' new vehicle checklist and have a safe trip.

Senior network planner Frank Bird emphasizes the importance of drivers playing their part in keeping traffic flowing smoothly. He advises drivers to ensure they have enough fuel, keep an eye on the fuel gauge during the journey, and top up the screen wash for good visibility. Bird also recommends planning regular rest stops to prevent fatigue during long journeys.

For more industry news, click here.