Drivers have been warned to expect the UK's busiest May bank holiday traffic in years, with more than 19 million leisure trips by car anticipated over the long weekend, according to the RAC. This marks the highest number since 2016, despite high fuel prices and a forecast of heavy rain replacing the recent sunny spell.
The RAC predicts Friday will see early getaways mixing with commuter traffic and school runs, but late Saturday morning is expected to be the peak time for congestion. The M5 from Bristol to Taunton has been highlighted as a likely trouble spot as drivers head to Devon and Cornwall. However, the change in weather may alter some plans.
Engineering works on the railway will also cause disruption, with longer journeys and replacement buses on several routes. The east coast mainline will be closed between York and Darlington from Saturday to Monday, adding hours to journeys between London and Edinburgh or Newcastle. Services from London Euston to the Midlands and north will be reduced and slower.
Liverpool Lime Street station will be closed all day Sunday and until noon Monday, while London's Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed for the same period. Works around Bath Spa, Huddersfield, and Ely will also affect services.
Network Rail's Anit Chandarana advised passengers to plan ahead, noting that bank holidays are among the least busy times for rail travel, making them suitable for major engineering work.
