"Heavy congestion" expected on roads today as drivers hit highways for Christmas
The AA has issued an Amber Traffic Warning, as 17 million of us join the annual 'Christmas Getaway'
Road experts are warning drivers to prepare for heavy congestion on some routes today (Friday 23rd December) and Christmas Eve (Saturday 24 December),
It's after the AA issued an Amber Traffic Warning, as 17 million of us look to join the annual 'Christmas Getaway'.
An AA traffic update read: "Interchanges connecting the M25 with the M3, M4, M1, M11, M20 and A1(M) are forecast to experience delays over the two-day period."
"In the north, delays are expected to be felt in Cumbria on the M6 interchange with the A69, M62/M60 junctions around Manchester, the A64 between Leeds and York and the M8 surrounding Edinburgh.
"The M4/M5 interchange at Bristol is likely to experience heavy congestion throughout the period as well as the M5 at Exeter, while delays are predicted to take place on the M6 Birmingham area and the M11/A14 junction north of Cambridge.
"The AA is predicting traffic to build between 10.00 and 18.00 on Friday, while the main congestion on Saturday could be felt between 10.00 and 16.00."
Proper preparation needed
National Highways bosses are advising drivers travelling longer distances to make sure they're fully prepared for their journey - should they breakdown in the cold weather.
Manny Kudhail, Service delivery manager for National Highways in the East Midlands, tells us: 'Having things like a fully charged phone, extra layers of clothing, extra food water and blankets are absolutely essential in the cold weather.'
'Making sure your vehicle is fully prepared is quite a key one, we had quite a mild start to the year with no frosts, and then suddenly had a cold spell - being prepared with a vehicle is quite a key thing.'
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