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Getaway Traffic Woes: 17.6 Million Car Trips Expected Over August Bank Holiday

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

With the UK's August bank holiday just around the corner, drivers and rail passengers are bracing for long delays. As many as 17.6 million car trips are expected to take to the roads, while rail services will be disrupted due to a strike by workers. The RAC has issued a warning to motorists, advising them to set off early or risk spending longer in traffic. According to the RAC, a staggering 3.0 million journeys are expected to be made by drivers on Friday, rising to 3.4 million on Saturday, 2.4 million on Sunday, and 2.7 million on Monday.

Key Takeaways:

  • 17.6 million car trips are expected to take place over the August bank holiday period, with 3.0 million journeys anticipated on Friday.
  • The RAC has urged drivers to set off early or be prepared to spend longer in traffic, citing the likelihood of increased delays.
  • Transport analytics company Inrix has predicted severe traffic on the M5 between Bristol and Devon, with delays of over 40 minutes expected on Friday and Saturday.
  • Rail passengers will face disruption due to a strike by workers, including cancellations and extended journey times on CrossCountry services.
  • The RMT union is involved in the industrial action, which will affect CrossCountry services on Saturday and bank holiday Monday.
  • London Northwestern services will only run to and from Birmingham International, and a reduced timetable will be in place over the weekend.
  • CrossCountry will run no services on the Saturday, with Sunday services likely to be subject to cancellations across all routes.

Statistics:

  • 17.6 million car trips are expected over the August bank holiday period.
  • 3.0 million journeys are anticipated on Friday.
  • 3.4 million journeys are expected on Saturday.
  • 2.4 million journeys are expected on Sunday.
  • 2.7 million journeys are expected on Monday.
  • 6.1 million drivers are planning a leisure trip at some point between Friday and Monday.
  • 2,080 UK adults participated in a survey that informed the RAC's traffic predictions.
  • 34 million cars are licensed in the UK, according to the RAC.
  • M5 traffic between Bristol and Devon is expected to be the worst, with delays of over 40 minutes expected on Friday and Saturday.

Sources:

  • RAC (no date provided in original text)
  • Inrix (no date provided in original text)
  • "RAC issues warning over August bank holiday traffic," by no byline (no publication date provided)

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