| A+ | A- | R | Site feed

RAC predicts worst ever Easter congestion

Economy - News

Thursday, 20 March 2008

The RAC today predicts traffic congestion with up to 16 million cars taking to the roads over the long weekend.

The peak is expected from midday on Maundy Thursday when motorists are advised to allow 50 per cent more time to their journeys.

Economic fears leading Brits to shun foreign shores for holidays in the UK, the timing of Easter and the predicted rail chaos are key factors for the surge in car usage pinpointed by RAC.

RAC research has revealed that the credit crunch is taking its toll with nearly half (43 per cent) of motorists less likely to travel abroad this Easter compared with last year.

With Visit Britain predicting an increase on last year's UK holidays at Easter, more motorists then ever are expected to take to the roads.

As Easter this year falls outside many school holidays, traffic is also expected to be more concentrated.

Midday on Maundy Thursday is pinpointed by the motoring organisation as the time when roads will be at their most congested.

Traffic is also expected to be heavy late on Easter Monday as families rush back for school starting again on Tuesday.

An additional factor set to cause chaos on the roads is the wintry weather caused by a Siberian cold snap due to hit the UK on Thursday, just as the Easter getaway gets underway.

If the weather conditions are bad, motorists are advised to only make journeys that are necessary and if they are travelling to take extra precautions.

Motorists should carry spare warm clothes, food and drink and ensure that mobile phones are fully charged in case of emergency.

Top six traffic jam hot spots to avoid over the Easter break:

The most congested stretch will be the M5 between Bristol (M5 Junction 15) and the West Country as holidaymakers head to the coast
The second busiest road will be the M4 between London and the M4/M5 interchange, and into South Wales
Roads radiating out from and around the M25 London Orbital motorway
The M1 from Junction 25 (Nottingham) to Junction 29 (Chesterfield)
The M6 through the West Midlands from Junction 5 Junction 10)
Routes from Lancashire to North Wales and the Lake District.

Top destinations for motorists this Easter according to RAC research are seaside locations (such as Cornwall) and the countryside (such as the Lake District) along with local trips to see the family.

Nearly four in ten (38 per cent) of motorists are planning to make such trips by car this Easter.

Visit Britain is also predicting record visitor numbers in British holiday resorts.

Neil Thompson, RAC spokesman, says that Easter is always one of the busiest periods of the year, but that this Easter's getaway is expected to be more intense as motorists shun foreign travel in favour of domestic driving holidays.

He explains that this combined with the short break for Easter will lead to a nightmare Maundy Thursday for motorists especially if the bad weather hits.

“Our advice is to leave extra time for journeys and, where possible, try to get away a few hours early to beat the rush,” Thompson concludes.

Tom Wright, Chief Executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain, says that the current economic outlook could mean British resorts are bracing themselves for bumper visitor numbers this Easter.

“Families with school age children have only four days to enjoy their Easter break this year so we're going to experience a concentrated few days of domestic travel,” Wright adds.