Motorists are being warned to brace for significant delays as the May Day bank holiday weekend approaches, with the RAC predicting the busiest early May bank holiday on the roads in ten years. Despite rising fuel costs, an estimated 19 million leisure trips will be made by car between Friday and Monday, just shy of the record 20 million forecast for the same period in 2016.
Traffic Forecast and Fuel Prices
A survey of 2,218 UK drivers conducted by the RAC found that 39% plan to take a day trip or overnight break over the four days. This comes despite a sharp increase in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East that began on February 28. Compared to last year, filling a typical 55-litre family car with petrol or diesel in the West Midlands now costs £13 and £27 more, respectively. However, only 6% of those not planning a trip cited fuel costs as the reason.
Peak Congestion Days and Times
Saturday is expected to be the busiest day, with over four million journeys. The RAC warns that the worst traffic will occur from 10am to lunchtime, with the M6/M5 interchange in the West Midlands highlighted as a major congestion hotspot. For those heading south, the M5 from Bristol to Taunton is predicted to be particularly slow as holidaymakers travel to Devon and Cornwall.
Friday will also see heavy traffic, with around 3.7 million getaway journeys mixing with regular commuters. Sunday and Monday are expected to see around three million leisure trips each, while a further five million drivers plan to travel at some point over the weekend but have not decided when.
Advice for Drivers
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin urged drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. "Even though fuel prices are uncomfortably high, it clearly takes a lot to stop drivers taking to the roads to make the most of a bank holiday weekend," he said. "The fact it's set to be the busiest early May bank holiday in 10 years shows just how much we depend on our cars." He recommended checking tyre pressure, tread, and levels of oil, coolant, and screen wash before setting off.
Rail Disruptions
Network Rail has advised that while most of the railway network will operate as usual, there are notable exceptions due to engineering works. London's Euston Station, a key destination for West Midlands travellers, will be affected. Liverpool Lime Street Station will be closed all day Sunday and until noon on Monday. The East Coast Main Line will be shut between York and Darlington from Saturday for three days. London's Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed over the same period, with Cannon Street also shut on Sunday. Other engineering works will impact services at Bath Spa, Huddersfield, and Ely in Cambridgeshire.
Anit Chandarana, a group director for Network Rail, explained: "There is no right way to do major work on our railway, but bank holidays are still among the least busy times for us in terms of passenger numbers and freight services. Those extra days with fewer travellers give us an opportunity to do longer projects that we couldn't do in a normal two-day weekend or overnight. So while most of our railway is open as usual over the bank holidays this May, there are some major exceptions. I'd advise everyone to plan ahead and check before they travel."
Key Congestion Hotspots
- M6 Junction 8: The usual headache on the M6 through the West Midlands, especially where it meets the M5, the route to the South.
- M5 Junction 17: The Cribbs Causeway Interchange near Bristol, where congestion begins as you travel south. Traffic can be slow from here through Somerset.
- M6 Junction 32: The junction to the M55 and Blackpool, often busy with daytrippers heading to the seaside.
- A5 into Shropshire and Wales: The route from the West Midlands into Snowdonia is always busy.
