August Bank Holiday traffic advice and alternative routes
Avoid the spectre of Bank Holiday traffic with our guide to alternative routes
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Friday, 27, Aug 2010 09:28
by Holly Tribe
It's summertime and it's the bank holiday, yet for many around Britain there has been a distinct lack of sunshine after a week of heavy rainfall. No matter - this just gives the British caravan contingent a chance to prove their mettle and not let a bit of drizzle dampen any spirits.
Despite a dubious forecast from the weathermen, the AA have predicted that a massive 16 million vehicles will be on the road this weekend as holiday makers look set to make the most of the last Bank Holiday of the summer.
But for most, the huge number of extra vehicles usually means staring at brake lights for at least couple of hours at some point in their journey.
David Hawes, patrol manager for RAC told online travel experts Expedia: "Getting stuck on the motorway is irritating at the best of times, and can make a disastrous start to a bank-holiday break. With so many great roads and picturesque drives to choose from in Britain our advice is to enjoy the drive."
We couldn't agree more, getting snarled up in traffic isn't anybody's idea of fun. Which is why we've compiled this list of traffic black spots and alternative routes to help you along your way.
The road less travelled
Bristol to Cornwall
Avoid the M5 corridor between Exeter and Bristol, and take the scenic route through Shepton Mallet and Honiton, via the A37 and A303 then continue along the A30 which winds around Dartmoor National Park and into the heart of the Cornish countryside.
London to Brighton
If you find yourself en route to the beaches of Brighton this weekend, you can avoid the notorious M23 bottlenecks by taking the road between Godstone and Lewes on the A22 - entering Brighton from the West.
Manchester to Blackpool
Blackpool has for years been a hugely popular destination for holidaymakers. If you're approaching this seaside city from Manchester, avoid the M6 and M55, and take a route from Burscough and Kirkham, via the A5209, A59, A5072 and then the A583 which leads you into Blackpool.
Yorkshire Dales
Be warned, caravans are prohibited on the road up to Sutton Bank in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park due to a very steep 1 in 4 gradient. There's an alternative recommended route for caravans via Coxwold, Wass and Ampleforth, which meets up with the B1257, but some streets through these villages can be narrow so do take care.
Traffic Black Spots
Some of the areas you may want to avoid this weekend include the M4 Junctions 10 -12 around Reading and the A1(M) Junctions 44 and 45 around Wetherby in Yorkshire which are likely to suffer heavy congestion due to the Reading and Leeds music festivals.
The M56 junctions 11 and 12 around Runcorn in Cheshire are also likely to be busy due to the Creamfields music festival which will attract around 40,000 visitors. The M25 London Orbital is also likely to be particularly bad from Friday afternoon onwards as hordes of city folk make a break for the country for the weekend.
Get up to date traffic news from the AA's Roadwatch service.
Cheap petrol and good weather?
Well, one out of two isn't bad! Asda have dropped their forecourt petrol prices for the weekend, a litre of unleaded will cost no more than 110.9p and 113.9p for diesel. The supermarket chain has 180 forecourts across the country, and you can click here to find your nearest outlet.
Forecasters have predicted wet weather over the weekend, but given the infamously fickle nature of the UK's meteorological system, you'd be advised to keep a weather eye on the horizon and pack for rain or shine wherever your intended destination may be.
Click here to get up to date weather reports from BBC Weather.
Have you got any alternative route suggestions? Let us know in our forum topic here.