Unsettled weather over the August bank holiday could dampen drivers’ desire to head out for the weekend, although major holiday routes are still likely to be busy.
Research by the AA has found that tomorrow (Friday 23 August) will be the busiest day of the weekend as more than 14 million drivers take to the roads. But three-quarters of those will be travelling under 50 miles, with only just over 10% expecting to travel up to 100 miles. Nonetheless, the AA is predicting main routes in and around major towns and cities to be busy on this day, especially as one in three will be commuting for work.
The quietest day will be Sunday, but still over a third of drivers will be on the roads.
But a third of drivers won’t be out on the roads at all over the bank holiday weekend. Of those who are planning to drive, only 7% are planning a trip to the coast over the weekend, and just under 10% a long weekend away.
Drivers will also benefit from National Highways’ move to lift roadworks for the long holiday weekend. This will bring good news to drivers using the M1, where sections of works around Hemel Hempstead, Northampton, Leicestershire and Mansfield will be suspended over the period. Other routes with lifted works include stretches of the A1 and M11.
Spelling further good news for drivers, petrol on a major holiday route has been recorded at below 140p a litre for the first time this summer. Data supplied to the Competition and Markets Authority voluntary pump price scheme shows that drivers can fill up east of Stonehenge on the A303 at a cost of 138.7p a litre. The forecourt at the Solstice service area, along the busy route to and from the West Country, is selling the fuel at 40p less than at most motorway service areas.
