M5 traffic warning for Bank Holiday weekend as huge delays feared

Motorists are being warned about potential traffic jams as the late May bank holiday weekend is predicted to be the busiest since the Covid-19 pandemic. The RAC, a motoring services company, forecasts over 20 million leisure car trips will take place from Friday through to bank holiday Monday.

This would mark the highest number for the late May bank holiday weekend since 2019. Friday is expected to be the most congested day for travel, as it not only marks the start of the long weekend but also coincides with the beginning of many schools' half-term holidays.

Inrix, a transport analytics firm, has warned that on Friday afternoon, journeys on the M25 clockwise between Junction 7 for the M23 and Junction 21 for the M1 could be delayed by more than 90 minutes. Delays of up to an hour are also anticipated on a 45-mile southbound stretch of the M5 - a frequently used holiday route - from Junction 16 north of Bristol to Junction 25 for Taunton, Somerset.

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RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: "Our research suggests this weekend could be the busiest of the year so far on the roads, with millions of people embarking on getaway trips to make the most of the three days and, for those with school age children, the start of the half-term holiday.

"In fact, we're looking at possible leisure traffic volumes returning to levels similar to what we last saw in 2019 before the coronavirus outbreak, as drivers' desire to make the most of the UK increases. And, in those places where the warm spring sunshine makes its presence felt, the number of people deciding to get behind the wheel and head for the coast or countryside will only go up, swelling the overall volume of cars on the roads."

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: "With near-record number of travellers expected to be on the roads over the holiday period, drivers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major cities and towards the coasts. The best general advice to anyone spending time away from home this weekend is to travel as early or as late in the day as possible to avoid the worst delays."

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