RAC warns of delays with over 14 million cars set to hit bank holiday roads

21st Aug 2018

The RAC is urging drivers to prepare for long delays on the roads this weekend as motorists make the most of the summer bank holiday.

An estimated 14.4 million vehicles are expected to hit the UK’s major roads between Thursday evening and Monday morning, which could spell lengthy delays.

Research conducted by the RAC and transportation data specialists INRIX suggests Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days, with around 3.6 million cars expected on each.

The RAC recommends that drivers consider travelling at quieter times, and make sure their cars are properly prepared for the journey to avoid a summer breakdown.

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The survey showed that Thursday would be the next busiest day to travel, with an estimated 3.2 million cars heading out onto the roads, while bank holiday Monday will see around 2.4 million vehicles.

Sunday will be the quietest of the five days, although with 1.6 million cars on the roads it’s still possible that drivers will come across delays.

On Friday, the worst-hit road is likely to be the M5, with average journey times between J4 and J1 between 09:30am and 2pm expected to jump from 21 mins to 1hr 21 mins.

Saturday is expected to see the stretch of M1 between J22 and J25 badly affected, with average journey times predicted to shoot up from a typical 16 mins to just over an hour.

To help ease congestion, Highways England has announced it will complete more than 300 miles worth of major route roadworks from Friday morning.

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RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis warns that while the late August bank holiday might not be the busiest weekend in the year, it still had potential to cause significant delays.

He also warned that: “There are plenty of known hotspots on the motorway network but probably the single biggest one in the summer months is the Almondsbury interchange at Bristol, right by the RAC building, where the M5 and the M4 meet.

“As tens of thousands of drivers head for Devon and Cornwall the coming-together of traffic leads to regular tailbacks every Friday afternoon. Add a bank holiday and some sunshine into the mix and it’s the perfect recipe for a long wait on the motorway.”

Drivers heading out onto the roads this weekend should check out RAC breakdown cover to ensure they’re fully covered for the journey.