Bristol roads set for busiest May bank holiday weekend in a decade
The M5 is expected to be heavily congested with travellers
As the early May bank holiday weekend approaches, drivers in and around Bristol are being warned of the potential for significant traffic delays.
The RAC has estimated that nearly 19 million leisure trips will be undertaken by car across the UK between Friday and Monday, just shy of the record set in 2016.
Despite rising fuel costs triggered by Middle East tensions, 39% of a surveyed sample of over 2,200 UK drivers indicated plans for day trips or overnight stays during the bank holiday weekend.
The RAC has pinpointed the M5 from Bristol to Taunton as a likely congestion hotspot, as thousands travel to popular destinations in Devon and Cornwall.
Saturday is forecasted to see the heaviest traffic, with an anticipated 4 million journeys taking place.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin said: “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.
“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 to get us wherever we want to go.”
Mr Kimberlin urged drivers planning getaway trips to ensure their vehicles are “up to the task” by carrying out checks on tyre pressure and tread, and levels of oil, coolant and screen wash.
Meanwhile, Network Rail said the “vast majority” of Britain’s railway network will be open as usual over the long weekend, with “some notable exceptions” because of engineering work.
With both road and rail networks undergoing potential disruptions, planning ahead is strongly recommended.