Travel Disruptions Expected Over Bank Holiday Weekend
Millions of people across the UK are being warned about potential travel disruptions during the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Heavy traffic, ongoing rail works, and planned strikes could significantly impact travel plans for those looking to take a break or attend events.
The RAC has reported that approximately 17.6 million car trips are expected to be made between Friday and the bank holiday on Monday. To avoid getting stuck in traffic, drivers are advised to leave early or prepare for extended delays. The South East and South West regions are expected to face some of the worst congestion, particularly on major roads leading to popular destinations.
For those relying on rail travel, several disruptions are anticipated. CrossCountry has urged passengers not to travel on Saturday due to a strike by the RMT union. Network Rail also announced that several major routes will be closed for engineering works, affecting services across the country.
Monday is a public holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with large crowds expected to head to events such as London's Notting Hill Carnival, the Reading and Leeds festivals, and the Creamfields festival in Cheshire. These gatherings could further contribute to traffic and transport challenges.
Major Road Congestion
Inrix, a transport analytics firm, highlighted that the M5 between Bristol and Devon is likely to experience the most severe traffic. Specifically, the stretch from junction 15 north of Bristol to junction 23 near Bridgwater may see delays exceeding 40 minutes on both Friday and Saturday. Motorists should also expect hold-ups lasting over half an hour on the M20 in Kent, which is a key route for crossing the Channel via Dover or Folkestone.
Nick Mullender, the RAC's mobile servicing and repairs team leader, emphasized that major roads leading to airports and coastal destinations will be extremely busy. He advised travelers planning to pass through these areas to depart as early as possible or be prepared for extended traffic delays.
Rail Service Updates
Despite the planned engineering works, Network Rail stated that the "vast majority" of the railway network will operate this weekend. However, passengers are encouraged to check their journeys in advance to avoid any unexpected disruptions.
On Sunday, there will be no long-distance services between London King's Cross and Peterborough, affecting LNER and Lumo services on the East Coast Main Line. Avanti West Coast will offer a reduced service to and from London Euston, while no services will run between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International from Saturday to Monday.
Some Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry services will be diverted, causing longer journey times. Additionally, London Northwestern services will only operate to and from Birmingham International. CrossCountry has also announced a reduced timetable over the weekend, with no services on Saturday. Sunday services may also be canceled, depending on conditions.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the weekend suggests mostly dry and cloudy conditions on Friday. Saturday and Sunday are expected to remain largely dry, with some cloud cover but warm temperatures under the August sunshine. Winds shifting to a south-easterly flow will lead to slightly rising temperatures, which may be more noticeable on Sunday.
Scotland will see a few sunny spells, though much of the day will be cloudy. Northern Ireland and northern England will also experience mostly cloudy conditions. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly as the north-easterly wind gives way to a south-easterly flow, bringing them back above average for this time of year in central and southern England.
Central and southern England will be the warmest regions on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures ranging between 23°C and 25°C (73°F and 77°F). However, Monday may bring unsettled weather as the remnants of Hurricane Erin begin to approach the UK. While there is a chance of rain on Bank Holiday Monday, forecasters remain uncertain about the exact impact.
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