by Joe Jeffrey
AA Roadwatch warns road users of trouble ahead on roads this weekend
Christmas caravanners beware: this Friday (18 December) will be the busiest on the roads as Christmas traffic combines with regular commuter traffic, according to AA Roadwatch.
A recent AA-Populus poll of 29,568 AA members has found that 45 per cent of those looking to escape for Christmas will expect to drive over 20 miles on Friday – that’s around 14 million cars to you and us.
Traffic delays are expected to peak around 4pm on Friday, according to driving intelligence experts, INRIX, which the organisation predicts could triple journey times on some stretches of motorway, including the M25, M5 and M4.
Traffic is also expected to be busy on Saturday (19 December) with last minute shopping frenzies and from Monday to Wednesday (21-23 December) with around 40 per cent of respondents driving over 20 miles.
According to INRIX, the heaviest traffic can be expected on the following stretches:
M25 – both ways J7 (Reigate) to J16 (M40)
A4 – Westbound (Earl’s Court) to M4 J11 (Reading)
M5 – Southbound J13 (Stroud) to J19 (Gordano)
M60 – both ways J8 (Carrington) to M62 J20 (Rochdale)
M4 – both ways J24 (Coldra) to J32 (Coryton)
M6 – northbound J11a (M6 Toll) to J19 (Knutsford)
M25 – Anti-clockwise J4 (Orpington) to Dartford Crossing
M3 – Southbound J2 (M25) to J8 (A303)
M1 – Northbound J10A (Luton Airport) to J14 (Milton Keynes)
M5 – both ways J3 (A456) to M6 J10a (M54)
M25 – Clockwise J27 (M11) to Dartford Crossing
M56 – Eastbound J9 (M6) to the M60
M1 – Northbound J32 (M18) to J42 (M62)
M74 – Southbound J1/M8 and J7 (Larkhall)
M1 – Northbound J17 (Watford Gap) to J23a (E Mids Airport)
Max Holdstock, AA patrol of the year, says: “Christmas Day falling on a Friday will help stagger the getaway traffic but it’s still going to be very busy at peak times on the major getaway routes. Try to travel when it’s quieter or, if you have no choice, take an alternative route during peak times to beat the jams.
How about you? Will you be escaping for the Christmas break, or will you be spending it at home?