Busiest August bank holiday on record sparks weekend traffic warning

The RAC is estimating that 19.2 million leisure trips by car will be made over the August bank holiday weekend – the highest number on record since 2015.

It is warning fleets that Saturday (August 24) is set to be the busiest on the roads with 3.7 million getaway trips planned, with 3.2 million on Friday (August 23), 3.1 million on Sunday (August 25) and 3 million on bank holiday Monday (August 26).

Furthermore, it says that 6.2 million trips are planned at some point over the long weekend, with drivers undecided exactly when they will travel.

The 19.2m figure is the highest number of ‘getaway’ trips predicted for the August Bank Holiday since the RAC began recording data for this weekend nine years ago.

The RAC’s research also found an overwhelming majority of journeys will be day trips, with 84% of respondents saying they will be using their car for days out.

Just 10% of drivers say they will be setting off on holiday in the UK or abroad and 6% will be returning home from a staycation or a foreign holiday.

Transport analytics specialists Inrix expects delays to last all day on both Friday (August 23) and Saturday (August 24), with the worst times to travel between 10am and 6pm on Friday and 10am and 1pm on Saturday.

Drivers are advised to make journeys on Friday evening after 6pm when the worst of the commuter traffic is over, or after 2pm on Saturday following the lunchtime rush.

In addition to the usual holiday traffic along major roads to the UK’s coastlines, the RAC and Inrix have released predictions for severe delays on routes towards the Reading and Leeds music festivals which take place during the bank holiday.

Reported to have the second biggest impact on traffic of any major UK event, traffic to Leeds Festival will be especially bad along the A1, A1(M), M1, M62 and A64 from Thursday (August 22).

Journeys are set to double in length on Friday (August 23) at lunchtime, along the A1 southbound between the Kirk Deighton and Bramham interchanges.

Meanwhile, anyone not attending the Reading Festival should avoid junction 11 of the M4 eastbound to Reading, M3 junction 6 at the Black Dam interchange and the Wendlebury interchange at junction 9 of the M40.

Festival attendees are advised not to drive to Reading due to the close proximity of the train station to the festival site.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With the end of the school holidays fast approaching it seems day trips will be the main cause of traffic this weekend, so for many drivers it could be a case of day trip delays.”

The Port of Dover expects more than 20,000 cars to travel through its harbour over the August Bank Holiday weekend, covering both in and outbound journeys. It estimates peak hours to be between 6am and 1pm from Friday (August 23) to Sunday (August 25).

Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said: “We continue to advise those sailing from the Port of Dover that it is still necessary that they do not arrive any earlier than the two hours requested – just as if they were planning on flying from a UK airport. 

“Travellers going through the port this summer may notice the works underway to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s new Entry / Exit system, due to go live in November. 

“With capacity in our pre-border processing space reduced, we also appreciate our customers’ support if they experience a longer wait time, but rest assured you will get away on the next available sailing.

“Furthermore, we expect to welcome back in the region of 9,000 cars to the UK throughout the weekend, as people return from their summer breaks.”

National Highways is lifting more than 500 miles of roadworks over the August bank holiday, and almost 97% of the network will be free from roadworks over the long weekend.

“We anticipate the roads will be busier than usual and are reminding people to check before they travel and leave plenty of extra time,” said national network manager at National Highways, Dale Hipkiss. 

“Seaside resorts, airports and theme parks are likely to be amongst some of the most popular destinations, along with attractions such as Leeds Festival, and routes in Kent will also be busier as people head to Europe via the ports for some last-minute sun.”