'Severe delays' expected as Cornwall's bank holiday getaway gets underway
The RAC is estimating that over 16 million car journeys will be made across the UK over the long weekend
A warning is going out to drivers across Cornwall as the big August bank holiday getaway gets underway.
The RAC says there is likely to be bumper traffic and severe delays with an estimated 16 million trips planned by car over the long weekend.
The figures suggest today, Friday 27th August, could see the largest numbers of cars on the roads with 4.3m leisure journeys by car planned and, according to transport analytics experts INRIX, a 25% increase in delays compared to a typical day in August.
Saturday will see 3.3m trips, bank holiday Monday 3m, with Sunday being slightly less busy (2.6m trips).
In addition, drivers are planning a further 3.6m trips at some point over the course of the four days – with the hope of good late summer weather perhaps encouraging even more people to jump into the car for a day trip or last-minute break.
Roads in the South West of England are expected to bear the brunt of the traffic with an estimated 3.6m trips expected to and from the region between today and Monday.
INRIX data suggests that some of the longest queues in the country could be in the South West with journey times on classic holiday routes like the M5 and A303 more than doubling at certain times over the weekend.
The RAC is warning those taking to the roads to expect queues and delays this weekend, but also urging drivers to do everything they can before setting out to avoid adding to the jams by breaking down.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “It’s been an incredibly busy summer on the UK’s roads with vast numbers of people on the move both for ‘staycation’ holidays and for day trips to the sea and countryside. Our figures suggest this is a trend that will continue, with bumper-to-bumper bank holiday traffic expected, especially on the most popular holiday routes.
“While this weekend will see many people returning from summer holidays in the UK, the fine and settled weather will also be seen as an opportunity by lots of people to jump in their cars for last-minute trips – after all, this is the last bank holiday weekend in England, Wales and Northern Ireland before Christmas.
“Our expert local patrols will be continuing to work incredibly hard to keep people moving, but we’re urging drivers to take a few steps to avoid breaking down in the first place, something that has the potential to spoil the bank holiday weekend and will only add to the inevitable traffic queues. Making a sure a car is ‘road ready’ isn’t difficult – ensuring tyres are properly inflated and have plenty of tread, and that oil, coolant and screenwash are all at the right levels, can ensure a smooth journey – if not a particularly fast one given the likely jams.”
It comes as National Highways issue travel advice ahead of the Great Estates Music Festival in Cornwall over the bank holiday.
Road users planning to use the A30 around Scorrier over the three-day weekend are advised to plan their journeys ahead.
The festival is held between Friday, 27th August and Monday 30th August with the campsite having opened a day before.
It is expected up to 7,500 people will attend the event at Scorrier House, with the majority arriving at the site on Thursday and Friday. During this time routes around Scorrier roundabout could be particularly busy.
John Ingram National Highways Network Resilience Planner South West, said: “We have been working with event organisers to give drivers as much advice as possible to help them plan their journeys. It is expected Thursday and Friday will be the busiest days.
“Drivers are advised to plan their travel routes in advance, and to keep up-to-date with the latest road conditions.”
In the meantime, drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information on local radio and the @HighwaysSWEST Twitter feed, by phoning the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com