Traffic jam hotspots bank holiday getaway warning

author: FutureCar Staff    

Drivers in the UK are being warned about congestion hotspots 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. The busiest day for travel is anticipated to be Saturday, with as many as 3.1 million separate trips planned. Friday is expected to be the next busiest day, followed by Sunday and then bank holiday Monday.

In addition to these estimates, there are another 4.2 million trips that will be made by drivers who have yet to decide which day to travel on. While the number of getaway trips is higher than last year, it is 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 of longer-than-normal journeys on certain routes. On Friday, delays of 55 minutes are expected on the M1 North between junctions 12 and 16, 34 minutes on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 4 and 1, and 24 minutes on the M4 East between junctions 29 and 24. On Saturday, the worst delay is predicted to be 37 minutes on the M5 South between junctions 15 and 23 around midday. On Sunday, a delay of 34 minutes is expected on the M1 South between junctions 16 and 6 around 4.30pm. On bank holiday Monday, drivers on the M5 North between junctions 25 and 15 can expect their journeys to take 30 minutes longer around 2pm.

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 the M25 and M1 to experience the most significant delays, but routes to the West will also be affected.

In an effort to assist motorists during the August bank holiday, National Highways will be lifting almost 1000 miles of roadworks. A total of 972 miles of roadworks will be completed in time for the late summer getaway, benefiting those heading to seaside resorts, airports, and theme parks. Drivers are reminded to have a safe T.R.I.P. and follow National Highways' new vehicle checklist. Regular rest stops are also encouraged to combat fatigue during long journeys.

Senior network planner Frank Bird emphasizes the importance of drivers playing their part in keeping traffic flowing during the busy bank holiday weekend. He advises drivers to ensure they have enough fuel, monitor their screen wash levels for good visibility, and plan regular rest stops. Taking a break every two hours, having a coffee, and getting fresh air for at least 15 minutes can help prevent fatigue.

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FutureCar Staff