RAC warn Kent drivers ahead of busy Easter weekend
37,000 cars are expected through the Port of Dover alone.
Drivers are being told to plan their journeys carefully, with nearly 21m leisure journeys planned according to the RAC, many of whom are expected to be travelling to or from Kent, due to the Port of Dover and M25.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said: “The port is preparing for a busy Easter getaway period, with an early increase in traffic expected from Friday 27th and Saturday 28th, followed by the predicted getaway volumes through to mid-April.
“Between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 19th April, we will welcome in the region of 37,000 cars through the port. To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport. We appreciate everyone’s patience, should there be any additional waiting time due to the increase in traffic levels.”
Traffic spokesperson for the RAC Rod Dennis told us:
"I think a lot of that traffic is going to be concentrated on some of the roads in and around Kent. Obviously lots of people heading towards the port of Dover. So that's going obviously put some pressure on the M20 um as it normally does.
"But outside that really it's the M25 in both directions really clockwise and anticlockwise which is going to see some problems.
"Anyone traveling from Kent and heading north and west around Central London to access the southwest of England, the Midlands and further north are likely to run into some problems depending on when they're traveling. The only day that looks slightly better in terms of data we've seen here at the RAC is Saturday."
He added for those looking for a time to start their journey, that the best times to drive would be before 10 am or 7pm. He added that when it comes to readiness:
"This is often the first weekend where people tend to bring the caravan out if they've got it. So what we would strongly recommend to all drivers, whether they've got a caravan or not, is give your car a good check over before you set out.
"A lot of the breakdowns our patrols will be going out to over the Easter Bank holiday will be completely preventable if people check things like their tyres, condition of tyres and making sure they're free of damage and their oil level as well. And if you're aware of any pre-existing problems with your vehicle, get a mobile mechanic out beforehand to get those problems sorted before you hit the road. "