Busiest day of the year on roads as ‘stay at home’ message ends

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MONDAY was the busiest day of the year on Britain’s roads, according to Government figures.

The rise in journeys coincided with the end of the stay at home order in England as part of the easing of coronavirus rules.

Department for Transport data showed that motor traffic was at 84 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on Monday, up from 80pc a week earlier.

This was the highest figure since the Saturday before Christmas Day.

Car use had increased from 73pc of normal to 78pc in the past week.

Traffic from vans and heavy goods vehicles was at 99pc and 108pc of pre-crisis levels respectively.

But bus use in Britain outside London was 42pc of normal on Monday, down from 47pc a week earlier.

The latest revised figures from travel on Britain’s railways showed demand was 24pc compared to pre-pandemic levels.

In Wales, the stay local order ended on Saturday and people were allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation.

The stay home order in Scotland ends on Friday, while in Northern Ireland up to six people, or two households, will be able to meet outdoors from Thursday.