Traffic jam hotspots revealed in bank holiday getaway warning -> Bank holiday traffic congestion locations disclosed

author: FutureCar Staff    

Drivers in the UK are being warned about potential congestion hotspots on key routes during the upcoming bank holiday getaway. According to data from the RAC, more than 14 million drivers are expected to take leisure trips this bank holiday weekend, which is nearly two million more than last year.

Saturday is predicted to be the busiest day on the roads, with as many as 3.1 million separate trips planned, according to research conducted with over 2,000 UK drivers. Friday is expected to be the next busiest day with 2.8 million trips, followed by Sunday with 2.3 million. Bank holiday Monday is forecasted to see 1.9 million trips.

In addition to these estimates, there are also another 4.2 million trips that will be made by drivers who have not yet decided which day to travel on.

While the overall number of getaway trips this August bank holiday is higher than last year, when fuel prices were at an all-time high, they are still not as high as in previous years when petrol and diesel were cheaper.

The most popular destinations for the bank holiday weekend are Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, followed by the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset), and then Wales and Scotland jointly.

Transport experts at Inrix are warning of longer-than-normal journeys on some key 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 for those traveling 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.

To avoid congestion, drivers are advised to avoid major roads between 10am and 7pm on Friday, between 10am and 3pm on both 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, transportation analyst at Inrix, stated that they expect this bank holiday weekend to be very busy on major roads, with Friday and Saturday experiencing the longest delays compared to normal. He also mentioned that while the most significant delays are expected on the M25 and M1, 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 drivers heading to seaside resorts, airports, and theme parks. National Highways also reminds drivers to follow their new vehicle checklist and have a safe T.R.I.P. (enough fuel, good visibility with screen wash, regular rest stops, and planning).

Senior network planner Frank Bird emphasized the importance of drivers playing their part in keeping people moving during this busy period. He advised drivers to ensure they have enough fuel to reach their destination, maintain good visibility by topping up the screen wash, and plan regular rest stops to prevent fatigue. Bird recommends stopping every two hours, grabbing a coffee, and getting some fresh air for at least 15 minutes before continuing the journey.

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FutureCar Staff