BANK ON A SLOW GETAWAY
15m cars to hit roads in hols rush
MILLIONS of cars are expected to clog the roads as families hit beaches and beauty spots this bank holiday weekend.
The AA has issued an amber warning with 15 million motors due to head out on Frantic Friday.
Stationary Saturday is said to be the worst day, with 10am-4pm the busiest times to travel.
Hotspots include the M4/M5 near Bristol, the M5 between Taunton and Exeter, the M6/M42 at Birmingham, the M62 Liverpool to Manchester section, the M60, M56 and M25.
According to AA figures, 45% of motorists will be on the road between Friday and Monday.
Drivers are being urged to plan ahead and make sure their cars are up to the journey by checking tyre pressure, lights, oil, windscreen wipers and screen wash.
Sean Sidley, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “With events and festivals fully back to normal, localised congestion will peak at closing time around major venues, but the rest of the UK could see peak journeys throughout Saturday.
“Traffic is likely to build again from Monday afternoon and into Tuesday, so allow plenty of time if you’re travelling then.
“Routes to and from coastal resorts and beauty spots will be among the busiest, so drivers should plan ahead.”
Events expected to add to problems on the road include the Reading and Leeds Festivals, where The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys are headlining.
CarFest South in Hampshire, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the England v South Africa
Test in Manchester and football matches across the country will add to the congestion.
Rail disruption caused by engineering works will add to woes. Network Rail stressed 95% of lines will remain open.
A reduced timetable will be in place between Northampton/Milton Keynes and London Euston due to HS2 work between Saturday and Monday.
And there will be no trains to London’s Charing Cross or Cannon Street stations on Saturday or Sunday,
Drivers should plan ahead and check their car before heading off SEAN SIDLEY AA PATROL OF THE YEAR
with a limited service from Hastings and Tonbridge to London Bridge on both days.
Services between London Waterloo and Reading will be diverted, while no Great Northern or Thameslink trains will run between Finsbury Park and Stevenage via Welwyn Garden City on Sunday. Grand Central trains will be diverted with extended journey times.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “I’m pleased to say the vast majority of the railway will be open for business as usual this bank holiday, so passengers can rely on us to get them where they need to go as they make the most of their summers.
“Our teams will be delivering some upgrade works to improve future journeys, so we’re asking people to check before they travel and make sure their route isn’t affected.”
The average price of petrol in the UK is 171.41p a litre compared with the record high of 191.53p in July.