Bank holiday congestion hotspots identified as long weekend looms
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Drivers are being advised about significant delays on main roads due to an estimated 14 million car journeys set to occur during the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
According to transportation analysis firm Inrix, the M1 heading northbound between junctions 12 and 16, the M25 in the clockwise direction from junctions four to one, and the M4 heading eastbound from junctions 29 to 24 are expected to be the most heavily congested stretches of motorway on Friday.
According to a recent study conducted on behalf of the RAC, it is estimated that approximately 14.4 million car journeys for recreational purposes will be undertaken from Friday to Monday, coinciding with the upcoming bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This figure represents a significant increase of 1.8 million trips compared to the same period during the previous year's summer bank holiday weekend.
According to the RAC, fuel prices are not as exorbitant as the historic levels witnessed last year, but they are still pricier compared to earlier years.
The traffic on the streets will intensify on Saturday as a result of train services being interrupted. This is because a large number of individuals belonging to the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will go on strike across 14 train operators. The strike is a continuation of the ongoing disagreement concerning wages, job security, and working conditions.
According to Inrix, it is recommended for motorists to steer clear of main thoroughfares starting from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening on Friday, from 10am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, and from 10am to 4pm on Monday.
According to Simon Williams, a spokesperson for the RAC, the recent drop in fuel prices has led to an increase in the number of drivers who intend to take advantage of the UK's attractions during the final bank holiday of the summer. If the weather cooperates, even more people may choose to go on trips, resulting in more traffic congestion and delays.
For individuals seeking to have uninterrupted trips, it is advisable to embark on their journey at the crack of dawn or, if not feasible, opt for a later time during the day, especially if they intend to travel on a Friday.
"Considering the increasing statistics of vehicle failures surpassing those of previous years, we strongly advise drivers to take preventive measures in order to refrain from encountering the inconvenience of a vehicle breakdown on the roadside. This can be achieved by performing a few crucial vehicle inspections prior to embarking on your journey."
According to Inrix analyst Bob Pishue, we anticipate a significant increase in traffic on major roads during the upcoming holiday weekend. Specifically, Friday and Saturday are expected to experience the most extensive delays compared to the usual traffic patterns.
"While the M25 and M1 are expected to experience the most notable disruptions during the three-day period, routes leading to the West will undoubtedly be heavily impacted as well."
According to National Highways, they plan to remove approximately 1,000 miles of roadworks prior to the upcoming bank holiday weekend in order to make travel easier.
Aside from the disturbance caused by the recent RMT strike on Saturday, train operations will encounter impacts due to Network Rail's execution of approximately 500 initiatives throughout the weekend, encompassing various locations across Britain's railway system.
The most crowded hub impacted is London Euston, where train services will be restricted from 8pm on Saturday until Tuesday because of track renewals and upgrades in the signalling system.
There will be no train service available for London Charing Cross or Waterloo East on the upcoming Saturday and Sunday. However, buses and coaches will be provided as an alternative for train travel along the East Coast Main Line, starting from late Saturday until the early morning hours of Monday, specifically between Grantham, Royston, and Potters Bar/Hertford North.
Jake Kelly, the director in charge of Network Rail's system operations, stated: "As per usual, we have meticulously organized and scheduled our engineering operations to ensure that the majority of the railway will remain fully operational during this upcoming bank holiday. Passengers can trust that the railway will effectively transport them to their desired destinations as they enjoy the extended weekend."
"Unfortunately, there may be unavoidable interruptions to trips on certain routes due to specific tasks being carried out. Therefore, before embarking on your journey, kindly ensure to verify the current status by consulting National Rail Enquiries or contacting your train operator."
