by Joe Jeffrey
Millions of drivers expected to hit the roads this weekend to make the most of what the August Bank Holiday has to offer according to research conducted by AA. Read on for news on this and our traffic report
Up to 14 million drivers are set to hit the roads this Bank Holiday weekend, despite cooler and unsettled conditions helping to take the edge off of traditional bank holiday getaways, the AA has said.
What is usually one of the busiest weekends of the year still looks set to pretty packed out there though, with 40 per cent of AA members surveyed set to travel, averaging 50 to 60 miles a day over the three day period which, despite high numbers on the road expected, is down five percent from last year.
With several music festivals due to take place over the Bank Holiday, including Reading Festival, Leeds and Creamfields in Cheshire, as well as the Notting Hill Carnival in London, it certainly looks like some drivers should expect gridlock at some point within these surrounding areas.
According to research carried out by traffic information specialist, Trafficmaster, the following routes are likely to be the top five August Bank Holiday traffic hotspots:
A303 – Westbound from M3 Junction 8 to A30 at Upottery, Devon
M25 – Western sector both ways between Junction 21 (M1 interchange) and Junction 10 (A3 interchange); and South-eastern sector both ways between Dartford crossing and Junction 7 (M23)
M3/M27/A31 – Southbound from Junction 9 (A34) to M27 at Junction 13; and M27/A31 westbound towards the Dorset coast
M4 – Westbound from Junction 1 (Chiswick) to Junction 13 (Chieveley); and between Junction 18 (Bath) and Junction 20 (Almondsbury Interchange/M5)
M5 – Westbound from Junction 15 (Almondsbury Interchange/M4) to Junction 31 (Exeter South)
It’s not all doom and gloom though, and Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (24-25 August) looks set to be quiet on the roads, with traffic across much of the country expected to be ease off earlier in the day, increasing steadlily, however, as people scramble to get home.
Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make sure you have fun. Let us know what you’re up to by leaving a comment below.
