Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year, marking a significant moment in the summer calendar. This year, as families and individuals prepare for their long-awaited breaks, various sectors are bracing themselves for an influx of travelers and associated chaos. The anticipation surrounding this holiday often leads to increased congestion on roads, overcrowding in public transport systems, and heightened activity within tourist destinations. Consequently, local authorities and transportation services must devise strategies to manage the expected surge effectively.
Historically, the August Bank Holiday has been characterized by a blend of leisure activities ranging from festivals to outdoor excursions. As such events draw large crowds, concerns regarding public safety and infrastructure strain become paramount. For example, major cities like London and Manchester typically experience significant increases in foot traffic during this period. In preparation for these challenges, city planners often implement measures such as enhanced policing presence and adjusted public transport schedules to mitigate potential disruptions.
An estimated 19.2m leisure journeys by car are expected over the weekend, according to the RAC – the highest level since the breakdown services company began recording traffic data in 2015 – as drivers go “day-trip crazy”.
RAC’s research.
The RAC and transport analysts Inrix have urged motorists to expect delays on Friday and Saturday and avoid the roads at all costs between 10am and 6pm on Friday and between 10am and 1pm on Saturday.
The best times to travel for people looking to get away would be after 6pm on Friday evening when the commuter traffic is gone and after the lunchtime rush at 2pm on Saturday.
Alice Simpson, spokesperson for RAC Breakdown, said this is the busiest August Bank Holiday weekend in nine years.
Dale Hipkiss, national network manager at National Highways, added: "We anticipate the roads will be busier than usual and are reminding people to check before they travel and leave plenty of extra time. Seaside resorts, airports and theme parks are likely to be amongst some of the most popular destinations, along with attractions such as Leeds Festival, and routes in Kent will also be busier as people head to Europe via the ports for some last-minute sun."
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