Motorists have been warned to expect travel chaos as Britons embark on their holiday weekend getaways.
A RAC survey of drivers suggested a total of 14.8 million trips are scheduled between Friday and Monday, as people celebrate the May 1 public holiday weekend after months of lockdowns.
Motorists have been urged to expect delays in what is expected to be the busiest May 1 holiday weekend since 2016; 62% more leisure travel is expected to take place this weekend compared to the Easter holidays.
The RAC said the numbers indicate that many people want to take advantage of the recent easing of coronavirus restrictions to see friends and family, or take day trips.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘After what has been one of the quietest Easters on the roads in years, our numbers suggest that the easing of Covid restrictions has made a dramatic difference. , millions more drivers planning to hit the roads.
What day will be the busiest?
Saturday will likely be the busiest day on the roads, with 2.6 million leisure trips expected – although nearly a fifth of drivers surveyed said they had not yet decided on the day for the long week. -end where they would travel.
Dennis said it remains to be seen what effect the weather will have, as “getting together in soggy parks and gardens may not be as appealing.”
If it is too cold for a trip to the beach, there could be a big increase in visits to shops, cafes and restaurants with covered outdoor spaces.
“It may well be that the weather will eventually play a big role in the days when the days end up being the busiest,” Dennis added. “Any sunnier, hotter day could make a lot more people jump in their cars.”
Regardless of the weather, the spokesperson said the prospect of queues on the roads – leading to major shopping malls in particular – “looks much more likely this coming weekend.”
What is the travel advice?
Drivers are advised to plan ahead and keep abreast of local traffic reports to know if there are any disruptions.
Meanwhile, rail trips will be halted this weekend as Network Rail completes 620 upgrade projects across Britain.
This will affect several routes, including lines serving London King’s Cross and the West Coast Main Line.
What’s the weather like?
According to the Met Office’s long-term forecast, a mix of sunshine, showers and a cold east to northeast wind will greet people during the May Bank Holiday weekend.
“Showers will be most frequent in the north and east, but could become quite widespread overland during the day,” according to forecasts.
“A little climate is likely on the heights of Scotland. A gradual transition to something more globally unstable is expected to follow, with areas of cloud, rain and stronger winds arriving from the west, although the north of the UK may remain in colder and rainier conditions. .
“Temperatures are likely to be colder than average overall, with cool nights and occasional overnight frosts, but may tend to approach average for some time.”
These forecasts like all are modifiable with the possibility that small events over the Atlantic Ocean have potentially larger impacts on UK weather.
A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, NationalWorld
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-30 06:00:00
