The holiday season is poised to unleash a surge of traffic onto Britain’s roads, with millions embarking on journeys to connect with loved ones, pursue last-minute shopping, or simply navigate the return to work and school. Expect significant congestion on key routes throughout the period.
Motorists should brace for particularly heavy traffic on the M25, both clockwise between junctions 7 and 16, and anti-clockwise from 17 to 12. The M40 northbound, from 8A to 10, and the M1 southbound, between 16 and 6, are also predicted to experience substantial delays.
The M6 northbound, from junction 5 to 10A, will likely see increased volume as well. A recent survey reveals that visiting family and friends is the primary driver for these festive trips, accounting for the plans of over 60% of travelers.
Shopping expeditions follow closely behind as a major reason for hitting the road, motivating nearly half of those surveyed. Work commitments also contribute significantly, influencing around 27-29% of all journeys planned over the eleven-day stretch encompassing the holidays and the new year.
Boxing Day is expected to see almost half of all travelers undertaking car journeys of up to 50 miles, with a further 9% planning longer trips. While New Year’s Day is anticipated to be the quietest day on the roads, with an estimated 18 million car trips, traffic will quickly rebound.
January 2nd is forecast to see a dramatic increase, with 20.7 million journeys, escalating further to 22 million by January 5th as the nation returns to its routines. Drivers should prepare for a sharp rise in congestion and potential delays.
Southern drivers face additional challenges due to the ongoing closure of the M27 motorway between junctions 9 and 11, lasting until 4am on January 4th, severely disrupting travel between Southampton and Portsmouth. This major works project adds another layer of complexity to the holiday travel landscape.
Experts predict a dynamic mix of activity on the roads, with local trips for visiting, shopping, and work keeping traffic flowing even when long-distance travel is less prevalent. New Year’s Day offers a brief respite, but the calm is fleeting.
For those not traveling, now is the ideal time to prepare vehicles for the new year. Essential checks on tires, batteries, screenwash, and fuel levels can prevent breakdowns and ensure a smoother start to the year.
National Highways is lifting over 90% of roadworks on motorways and major A roads by December 21st, with restrictions not returning until January 2nd, offering some relief. However, significant disruption to rail services will likely exacerbate road congestion.
The rail network faces widespread closures on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with ongoing engineering projects impacting services to and from London Euston, as well as routes between Scotland and northwest England, extending into January. Several other lines will also experience limited or no service.
Despite these disruptions, Network Rail assures that 95% of Britain’s railways will remain unaffected by engineering work during the festive period. Travelers should still verify their train schedules before embarking on their journeys.
