Millions of travelers in the UK may face disruptions over the upcoming bank holiday weekend due to heavy traffic, rail works, and strikes. The RAC estimates around 17.6 million trips by car are expected between Friday and Monday, prompting advice for drivers to either set off early or prepare for longer delays. The South East and South West regions are predicted to experience significant congestion on the roads.
Rail passengers are also affected, particularly on Saturday when the RMT union has announced a strike. CrossCountry has advised against traveling on this day, and Network Rail has confirmed that several major routes will be closed for engineering work. Monday marks a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which is likely to result in large crowds at various events, including the Notting Hill Carnival and the Reading and Leeds festivals.
Traffic analytics firm Inrix has noted that the M5, especially between Bristol and Devon, could see delays exceeding 40 minutes on both Friday and Saturday. Additionally, long delays are anticipated on the M20 in Kent, a key route for Channel crossings.
Despite the disruptions, Network Rail stated that the “vast majority” of the rail network will operate over the weekend. Passengers are advised to check for any service impacts, particularly as there will be no long-distance trains between London King’s Cross and Peterborough on Sunday. Avanti West Coast will also be running a reduced service, with some journeys extended due to diversions.
The weather forecast indicates a largely dry but cloudy Friday, with warm temperatures expected in southern England over the weekend. However, Monday’s weather might change with the potential influence of Hurricane Erin, raising the likelihood of rain.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y26gg371jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss