As the weather gets warmer and British Summer Time officially starting, the news reaches us from ‘Trafficmaster’ that the roads this coming Easter break will be heir busiest for years. This is despite the current fuel prices.
Three Bank Holidays being s close together coupled with a late Easter seems to be encouraging many to take a longer break than normal. Threatened airline strikes and general unsettlement abroad is also encouraging many to stay at home, despite how much it will cost to fill their tank. The roads around holiday resorts are expected to be manic, so plan your journey carefully and avoid peak times.
“After a gloomy winter both in terms of weather and the economy, we are expecting to see one of the busiest Easter breaks for several years,” says Graham Smith at Trafficmaster, “It’s anticipated that the majority of Britain’s registered road vehicles will be on the road at some time over the Easter weekend, with Maundy Thursday on 21st April likely to be the busiest day across the Easter holiday period.”
Although most school holidays across England and Wales have now commenced their Easter Holiday break, one of the main “getaway” days for the holiday period is likely to occur on Friday 15th April. There will also be significant traffic movement on along the M6/M1 corridor throughout the weekend with both Manchester football teams meeting in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley on Saturday 16th April, Bolton and Stoke City playing at Wembley in the other FA Cup Semi-Final on Sunday 17th April and Arsenal playing Liverpool on the same day. Sunday is also the day of the London Marathon, with its associated road closures and restrictions throughout Central, East and South-East London. It is anticipated that nearly 20 million vehicles will be on the move over this period.
Most road works will see restrictions lifted during the period covering Easter, the Royal Wedding and the Mayday Holiday to minimise disruption.
On Thursday, 21st April, when the worst traffic congestion is expected, the roads to watch are as follows:
– To & from West of England: M5 along most of its length, and especially between Junctions 15 (M4 interchange) and 31 (Exeter). A303 through Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and into Devon. A30 and A38 through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. A39 within North Cornwall. Also M4 from the London area to & from Bristol (J19) and the South West (J20).
– To & from Hampshire & Dorset coast: M3 along most of its length, and especially south of Winchester. M27 along most of its length and A31 between M27/J1, Ringwood and Dorchester. A3 through Hindhead
– To & from South Coast: A21 through Sussex.
– To & from Channel Tunnel and Channel coast ports: M20, A20 and A2 to and from Eurotunnel, Folkestone and Dover will be exceptionally busy.
– To & from East Anglia & East coast: A11 around Elveden and Thetford, and A47 between East Midlands and Norfolk coast. M11 to & from Stansted Airport. A12 to and from East Coast.
– To & from North East: M1 between East Midlands (J21) and South Yorkshire (J32), A1 and A1M through West and North Yorkshire, and A64 to Scarborough.
– To & from North West: M6 between West Midlands (J11), Lancashire and Lake District (J36).
– To & from North Wales: M56 and A55 between Manchester, Chester and along the North Wales coast.
– Within Scotland: M90, A90 and Forth Road Bridge between Edinburgh, Fife and Tayside. A9 between Perth and Inverness, A82 between Glasgow, Trossachs and Highlands.
For the latest traffic and travel update: Call 0906 470 1740 from your landline, or 1740 from your mobile before you travel or during your journey for Live Traffic Reports. Alternatively for more information about Trafficmaster’s other services and a live view of traffic on the roads go to www.trafficmaster.co.uk.
