August 21st 2024.
As the August bank holiday approaches, millions of people across the UK are eagerly preparing for a weekend getaway. Despite the unpredictable weather, over 19 million trips are expected to take place on the country's roads, making it the busiest bank holiday on record. Holidaymakers are determined to make the most of the remaining days of summer, and that means facing the challenges of the road network.
According to motoring experts, the RAC, a whopping 19.2 million leisure journeys will be made by car over the long weekend. This has been dubbed the "day trip craze" as people take advantage of the extra day off work. However, with so many people hitting the road, it's important to be aware of the potential traffic hotspots and plan accordingly.
Coastal areas are expected to be especially popular, as day visitors flock to the beaches and seaside towns. In addition, the Leeds and Reading music festivals are also likely to cause major delays, particularly along the A1, A1M, M1, M62, and A64 routes. On Friday, drivers can expect double the usual travel times on the A1 southbound between Kirk Deighton and Bramham.
For those heading to Reading, it is recommended to avoid the M3 junction J6 at the Black Dam interchange and the Wendlebury interchange at junction J9 of the M40. The festival organizers have also encouraged attendees to use public transportation, as the festival site is conveniently located near a train station.
The peak of the bank holiday traffic is expected on Saturday, with 3.7 million trips planned. Friday and Sunday will also see high numbers of travelers, with 3.2 million and 3.1 million journeys respectively. Even Monday, typically a quieter day for travel, is predicted to have 3 million trips. In addition, a further 6.2 million trips are expected to be made by undecided drivers at some point during the weekend.
This surge in holiday traffic is the highest recorded since the RAC began collecting data in 2015. To make matters worse, there are currently over 500 miles of roadworks taking place across the country. However, to help ease the congestion, the National Highways have lifted most of these roadworks for the bank holiday weekend. Dale Hipkins, of National Highways, advises travelers to check their routes before setting off and to avoid traveling between 10am and 6pm on Friday and between 10am and 1pm on Saturday.
For those heading to popular destinations such as seaside resorts, airports, and theme parks, as well as those attending events like the Leeds Festival, it is important to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time. Additionally, for those traveling to Europe via the ports, it is expected that routes in Kent will be particularly busy.
The Port of Dover, one of the busiest ports in the UK, is anticipating over 20,000 cars passing through during the August bank holiday. To avoid causing unnecessary delays, they are urging travelers to use main routes only and not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled departure time. This is especially important as the port is currently undergoing works to prepare for the new EU entry and exit system, which may cause longer wait times.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, also reminds travelers that there will be a high volume of cars returning to the UK throughout the weekend, as people come back from their summer vacations. With all of these factors in mind, it is crucial for drivers to stay informed and plan their journeys carefully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable bank holiday weekend.
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