MOTORISTS can expect a host of delays over the festive season with heavy traffic coming to a number of motorways – including the M1.
According to the AA, drivers can expect long queues due to record levels of congestion, with the busiest day on the roads set to be Friday, December 20.
An estimated 23.7 million drivers are planning trips on that date – more than the busiest Christmas getaway day of any year since they began recording data in 2010.
The following days won’t be much better either, with the joint second worst days for traffic jams over the festive period expected to be Saturday, December 21 and Monday, December 23 – each with 22.7 million drivers on the road.
Congestion is set to be so bad that so-called amber traffic warnings have been issued for all three days, with several congestion hotspots highlighted.
Historical data from AMT Auto also points to queues highly likely along the A303, particularly around Stonehenge,
The A303 is already known as a traffic hotspot during holidays, especially around Christmas.
Significant delays and congestion in this area has been a problem in previous years, with perhaps the main culprit being holidaymakers travelling to Devon, Cornwall, and other areas.
However, more than half of the journeys made during the Christmas period are set to be no more than 50 miles.
It’s been suggested that Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday may help spread festive journeys – but could also mean more days of long delays.
It’s predicted that more people will get in their cars for the Christmas rush on Friday, December 20, followed by last-minute shopping trips and visits to friends and family.
Indeed, the National Highways have revealed they’re removing more than 1,000 miles of roadworks ahead of the festive flurry.
Routes to benefit from roadworks being lifted include the A3 in Hindhead with more than nine miles of roadworks completed ahead of the festive getaway.
The M27 between junctions 2 and 3 (near Southampton), with more than 13 miles of roadworks completed before Christmas.
The M4 between junctions 13 and 12 (near Newbury) with more than 27 miles of roadworks removed, along with the A1 from A47 Wansford to Stibbington with five miles of roadworks lifted.
What’s more, five miles of roadworks will be lifted on the M1 between junctions 21 to 22.
To that end, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are all expected to be the quietest days on the roads.
But while December 25 is usually the day with the fewest breakdowns throughout the year, the AA said it will still have patrols available nationwide.
On Christmas Day in 2023, it came to the aid of 2,400 members.
Despite the slimmer chances of a breakdown, drivers are still being advised to pack essentials in their cars, such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully-charged phone.
Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “The ghost of Christmas Past shows that each year, avoidable breakdowns snowball into miles of queues on the roads.
“Drivers can maintain the Christmas cheer by performing basic checks on their car before any journey.
“This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.
“With people driving fewer miles, it means there will be more localised congestion as record numbers head out on the roads this festive period.
“The best way to ensure hassle-free journeys is to plan them well.
“Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it’s quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams.”
Rail engineering work will lead to more pressure on the roads with several lines set to be closed.
