Easter Weekend Could See Worst Traffic In Three Years
INRIX advises drivers to check traffic before they travel as Easter holidaymakers could be caught in delays all day on Maundy Thursday
INRIX, the leading provider of traffic information and driver services, today released a report on congestion hotspots drivers should avoid in the UK this Easter weekend. As the UK experiences major railway engineering works, more cars on the roads and Brits make their way to sunnier climates abroad, the worst-affected congestion hotspots in the South East and South West will be twice as busy as non-holiday periods.
With foreign holidays on the rise this year, travellers heading to Gatwick and Heathrow airports on Thursday 17th April could face up to double the standard journey time with a typical 30-minute journey around the western section of the M25 taking up to an hour, and remaining congested for much of the day. Those making the most of the British countryside are expected to experience severe delays of up to 60 minutes on the M4 between Hampshire and the West Country.
This year’s busiest periods will be on Thursday 17th April with traffic levels barely dropping for the entire day, Friday 18th April between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and again on Monday 21st April with congestion evident between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, major railway engineering projects on the East and West Coast Mainlines and the Great Western Mainline this Easter weekend will result in an increase in vehicles on the roads causing the following delays:
– Up to a one-hour delay on a typical journey from London to Leeds via the M1
– Up to a one-hour delay on a typical journey from London to Manchester using the M1 and M6
– At least 30 minutes added to a typical journey along the M4 from London to Bristol
“As much as traffic frustrates those on the road, increasing congestion is a sign that the economy is recovering as businesses deliver more goods, new car sales increase and more people use their cars,” said Chris Lambert, UK traffic analyst at INRIX. “More Brits going on holiday combined with extensive engineering works on the rail network is going to result in exceptionally heavy congestion this Easter weekend. If you must travel at the busiest times, our advice is to seek alternative routes. Travellers can check the INRIX Traffic app or tune into their local radio station for traffic bulletins to check the traffic situation on the day.”
RAC spokesman Simon Williams, said: “With the hint of better weather ahead people will be heading to the coast and countryside to make the most of the Easter break, which will create all kinds of traffic issues. With many schools going back on Tuesday 22nd April, and as INRIX’s data shows, we are expecting a busy bank holiday Monday rush home as people take to the roads en masse. We would advise drivers to allow plenty of time for their journeys, and to take note of INRIX’s alternative routes for the worst congested areas over the Easter period, to avoid getting stuck in the inevitable delays.”
