Exact time for drivers to keep away from May financial institution vacation chaos – and UK areas to swerve
A new car warning has been issued ahead of the May bank holiday weekend.
Saddle up Brits, we’ve got another bank holiday weekend almost upon us. But before you jump in the car, it’s worth remembering a few things ahead of your drive.
Breakdown specialists at the RAC, along with traffic analysts INRIX, revealed how 16million are expected to drive on Friday, with another 4.9m over the weekend.
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As a result of the influx of motorists on the road, INRIX is warning against driving at specific times across the four days. It also offered the best windows to drive if you have to.
(Image: PA)
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With Covid travel restrictions a thing of the past, catching up with friends and family is still the first priority for nearly half of drivers making leisure trips over the bank holiday.
“Since 2022 – the first full year since mobility restrictions lifted – drivers appear to be much more eager to make the most of the May Day weekend, with the total number of getaway trips this year far exceeding the average since 2017.
“We’re anticipating a ‘crescendo of cars’ on the road over the weekend with as many as 3m motorists making leisure trips on Saturday alone.
“In addition to the majority of motorists planning day trips and short breaks, our data shows local routes to city and out-of-town shopping centres could see heavy traffic, so it’s best to head out early morning or evening if possible.
“For those extending their long weekend breaks into next week, it’s important to plan return journeys in advance as the train strikes between Tuesday 7 and Saturday 11 May will inevitably lead to roads being busier.”
Bob Pishue, from INRIX, assured the delays won’t be as severe as Easter, but drivers should expect the “lengthiest hold-ups on major roads to and from popular destinations this weekend”.
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Best and worst times to travel across the weekend
On Friday (May 3): The RAC and INRIX said avoid travelling between 11am and 6pm. Focus on setting off before 9am.
On Saturday (May 4): The worst time to travel is between 9am to 2pm. After 5pm is your best bet.
On Sunday (May 5): Driving between 10am to 3pm is the red flag zone. Anything after 5pm is your best slot.
Areas of the UK to avoid driving across
The M53 southbound is one to avoid, between Liverpool and Chester, especially with Cheshire Oaks shopping village nearby. These delays are expected to begin on Thursday.
Meanwhile the busiest route will be the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton on Friday afternoon where travel is expected to take nearly two hours longer than usual due to getaway and commuter traffic combining.
Most major routes across the south and south west are likely to take an average of 50% longer than usual to drive on Friday, while on bank holiday Monday, parts of the north west, East Anglia and south west will be hardest hit by returning traffic.
Traffic is predicted on the M55 eastbound between Blackpool and Preston from 11am Cornwall to Exeter eastbound on the A30 and A38 from 11:30am and Norwich to Thetford on the A11 southbound from 12.15pm.
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