Uk Drivers Warned Of New Traffic Delays During August Bank Holiday Weekend As 14 Million Hit The Roads

Published on August 21, 2025

As nan August Bank Holiday approaches, UK drivers are being warned to expect heavy congestion connected nan roads, pinch traffic predicted to beryllium astatine its peak. Between Thursday, August 21, and Monday, August 25, astir 14.4 cardinal motorists are expected to deed nan UK’s awesome routes. Inrix, a postulation monitoring site, has highlighted that nan busiest days will beryllium Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23, pinch astir 3.6 cardinal cars walking each day. Travelers are advised to scheme up and time off other clip for their journeys to debar nan worst of nan August slope vacation postulation chaos.

When is nan Busiest Time to Travel?

The busiest recreation days will coincide pinch nan commencement of nan bank vacation weekend, peculiarly connected Friday afternoon erstwhile drivers caput toward celebrated vacation destinations. According to RAC research, Friday and Saturday are expected to spot nan astir traffic, while Sunday, traditionally a quieter day, will person astir 1.6 million trips. Drivers looking to debar delays should purpose to recreation earlier aliases later successful nan day, arsenic peak traffic is expected betwixt 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Key Roads to Avoid and Alternative Routes

Several routes crossed nan UK will acquisition important congestion. Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer astatine Leasing Options, has outlined nan busiest roads and suggested replacement routes to thief debar nan worst of nan traffic. Drivers heading to nan South West should beryllium peculiarly cautious connected the M5, wherever postulation is apt to beryllium heavy. The Almondsbury Interchange, located astatine nan junction of nan M5 and M4 adjacent Bristol, is simply a cardinal congestion hotspot. This area is expected to spot awesome delays, peculiarly arsenic holidaymakers caput toward Devon and Cornwall.

For those heading to Cornwall, nan A30 will beryllium 1 of nan busiest routes. Despite upgrades to immoderate sections, including nan Chiverton Cross Roundabout, this roadworthy remains a awesome bottleneck, particularly betwixt Exeter and Land’s End. An replacement route, the A38 via Dobwalls, offers a bypass to debar immoderate of nan busiest stretches. For travelers readying to sojourn Land’s End aliases nan surrounding areas, nan A390 and A39 besides supply viable alternatives.

Traffic Issues successful Other Parts of nan UK

In Devon, different roadworthy to watch is nan A381, which links towns for illustration Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, and Totnes. The conception adjacent Newton Abbot is particularly prone to dense postulation owed to its azygous lanes. During weekends and holidays, Newton Abbot municipality centre besides experiences gridlock, peculiarly during shopping hours. To debar these delays, it is recommended that travelers bypass nan municipality centre aliases see utilizing nationalist carrier options specified arsenic buses and trains.

In nan Lake District, nan A591 is simply a scenic way that besides sees important postulation during nan vacation period. This roadworthy runs done tourer towns specified arsenic Windermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere. As these towns are celebrated pinch tourists, postulation tin easy build up, particularly during highest hours. An replacement way to debar congestion is the A590, which bypasses these towns but still offers views of nan beautiful Lake District scenery.

For those heading to Snowdonia National Park successful North Wales, the A55 is simply a awesome way to consider. Stretching from Chester to Holyhead, this roadworthy experiences bottlenecks successful areas for illustration Bangor and Conwy. Drivers tin debar these congested areas by taking nan A494, which provides a scenic replacement and bypasses nan coastal traffic.

How to Minimize Delays

To trim recreation clip and debar nan worst of nan congestion, Mike Thompson has advised travelers to see alternative routes and to debar highest hours of travel. For those journeying to celebrated tourer destinations, leaving early successful nan greeting aliases later successful nan evening tin thief debar nan worst traffic. It is besides recommended that travelers cheque for real-time updates from traffic monitoring apps for illustration Inrix aliases Google Maps to enactment informed astir roadworthy conditions and imaginable diversions.

Additionally, holidaymakers walking to nan South West aliases different celebrated destinations should see utilizing nationalist carrier options wherever possible. Trains, buses, and coaches tin beryllium an effective measurement to debar nan hassle of driving and parking, peculiarly successful engaged tourer areas.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Stress

The August Bank Holiday play is 1 of nan busiest times of nan twelvemonth for UK motorists, and pinch millions of group expected to travel, congestion will beryllium inevitable. By readying ahead, avoiding highest recreation times, and considering replacement routes, drivers tin trim their accent and debar unnecessary delays. For those not keen connected sitting successful traffic, exploring public transport options whitethorn beryllium a much relaxing and businesslike alternative.

Travelers are besides encouraged to stay diligent and cautious during their journeys, arsenic engaged roads and precocious volumes of postulation tin lead to accidents aliases delays. Being prepared and leaving other clip for recreation will thief guarantee that nan vacation acquisition remains enjoyable, contempt nan challenges of dense traffic.