Augusty bank holiday
Strong winds and heavy rain to sour big getaway 14 million drivers to clog roads as railway lines shut
NATURE is poised to deliver a blow to families hoping to enjoy a bit more summer .... with gusty winds, rain and hail over the Bank Holiday.
With dismal conditions set to end weeks of glorious sun, drivers are advised to add an hour to journey times as more than 14million take to the roads.
Sunny spells and scattered showers today will be followed by a dip in temperatures to a maximum of 17-19C on Sunday as heavy rain moves east across the whole country.
Things are expected to improve by Monday with bright and breezy weather as well as a few scattered showers.
Simon Partridge, of the Met Office, said rain and wind could cause trouble for travellers.
He added: “In places standing water will add to difficult driving condi- tions on Sunday. Some areas could see winds of between 30mph to 40mph.”
Today the M1 is expected to be badly affected by congestion between junctions 22 and 25 in the East Midlands, with journey times increasing from about 15 minutes to an hour.
There are also likely to be heavy delays on the M4 and M5 near Bristol as drivers head for the West Country.
The M48 Severn Bridge at Chepstow shuts tomorrow morning as more than 2,000 prepare to take part in the Severn Bridge Half Marathon. Despite Highways England lifting and completing more than 300 miles of roadworks on motorways and major A roads to ease congestion, some 129 miles of roadworks remain in place. Music festivals, which will increase traffic, are being held at Reading, Leeds, Daresbury and Bolesworth in Cheshire, Laverstoke Park Farm, Hants and Clapham Common, South London.
The Notting Hill Carnival is also taking place in the west of the capital.
Fans will be heading for the Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley and there is a full football fixture list.
Meanwhile train travellers face disruption due to engineering works.
Network Rail is urging passengers not to travel on the West Coast main line to and from London between Saturday and Monday as Euston station will be closed.
Virgin trains will run a reduced service and trains will finish at Milton Keynes.
There will be replacement buses and timetable changes in Derby, Coventry, Manchester and Birmingham.
Air and sea ports are expected to be busy and the Civil Aviation Authority says extra time should be allowed for travel to airports.
AFTER the heatwave things return to normal this weekend with forecasters predicting a Bank Holiday washout. Whatever the weather, enjoy your break.