Traffic jam hotspots revealed in holiday travel caution

author: FutureCar Staff    

Drivers in the UK are being warned about 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 make leisure trips this bank holiday weekend, which is nearly two million more than last year.

The busiest day for road travel is predicted to be Saturday, with as many as 3.1 million separate trips planned. 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 predicted to see 1.9 million trips.

In addition to these estimates, another 4.2 million trips will be made by drivers who have yet to decide which day to travel on.

While the number of getaway trips this year is higher than last year, it is not as high as previous years when fuel prices were cheaper. 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, delays of 55 minutes are expected on M1 North J12 to J16, 34 minutes on M25 anticlockwise J4 to J1, and 24 minutes on M4 East J29 to J24. On Saturday, the worst delay will be 37 minutes on M5 South J15 to J23 around midday, and on Sunday, it will be 34 minutes on M1 South J16 to J6 around 4.30pm. On bank holiday Monday, drivers on 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 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.

National Highways is also working to help motorists during the August bank holiday by 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.

Drivers are reminded to have a safe journey and follow National Highways' new vehicle checklist. It is advised to ensure there is enough fuel, top up the screen wash for good visibility, and plan regular rest stops every two hours.

Senior network planner Frank Bird emphasizes the importance of drivers playing their part in keeping traffic moving during the busy bank holiday weekend. National Highways encourages drivers to take breaks, grab a coffee, and get some fresh air for at least 15 minutes before continuing their journey.

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FutureCar Staff