This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22400876
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Warm weather prompts bank holiday traffic warning | Warm weather prompts bank holiday traffic warning |
(4 days later) | |
Drivers are being warned to prepare for longer journeys this bank holiday weekend as temperatures rise to more than 20C (68F). | Drivers are being warned to prepare for longer journeys this bank holiday weekend as temperatures rise to more than 20C (68F). |
Motoring groups said they expected roads, particularly to the coast, to be busier than normal as people made up for a disappointingly wet Easter. | Motoring groups said they expected roads, particularly to the coast, to be busier than normal as people made up for a disappointingly wet Easter. |
The AA said it was boosting road patrols by 20% from Friday afternoon to cope with people leaving work early. | The AA said it was boosting road patrols by 20% from Friday afternoon to cope with people leaving work early. |
Forecasters have predicted a warm and bright weekend across much of the UK. | Forecasters have predicted a warm and bright weekend across much of the UK. |
England, Wales, and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are all expected to see some sun during the three-day break. | England, Wales, and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are all expected to see some sun during the three-day break. |
Monday promises to be the warmest day, with temperatures as high as 23C in east and south-east England and East Anglia, forecasters said. | Monday promises to be the warmest day, with temperatures as high as 23C in east and south-east England and East Anglia, forecasters said. |
'Plan ahead' | 'Plan ahead' |
On the roads, traffic is expected to peak between 09:00 and 15:00 BST on Saturday. | On the roads, traffic is expected to peak between 09:00 and 15:00 BST on Saturday. |
The Highways Agency said traffic was building up earlier than usual as people took advantage of the sunny weather. | The Highways Agency said traffic was building up earlier than usual as people took advantage of the sunny weather. |
Extra delays were likely on the already busy A23 holiday route between London and Brighton, where major road works are taking place, the agency said. | Extra delays were likely on the already busy A23 holiday route between London and Brighton, where major road works are taking place, the agency said. |
"Our advice is to think carefully and plan ahead," said spokesman Mik Barton. | "Our advice is to think carefully and plan ahead," said spokesman Mik Barton. |
"It's extremely likely that the roads will be busy on a hot weekend. Check our website before you travel for traffic flow, build in breaks - especially if people are travelling with children - and go well equipped." | "It's extremely likely that the roads will be busy on a hot weekend. Check our website before you travel for traffic flow, build in breaks - especially if people are travelling with children - and go well equipped." |
The AA said other busy routes to look out for included: | The AA said other busy routes to look out for included: |
Motoring organisation the RAC said they were expecting millions of drivers to take to the roads over the weekend. | Motoring organisation the RAC said they were expecting millions of drivers to take to the roads over the weekend. |
"Finally we seem to have shaken off the cold and are enjoying a good spell of weather which will inevitably encourage more people into taking a short break this weekend, either in the UK or abroad," said roadside operations manager Matt Dellaway. | "Finally we seem to have shaken off the cold and are enjoying a good spell of weather which will inevitably encourage more people into taking a short break this weekend, either in the UK or abroad," said roadside operations manager Matt Dellaway. |
"We are anticipating UK roads will be at their busiest since Easter and therefore we are preparing our patrols to deal with the inevitable increase in breakdowns amid greater congestion." | "We are anticipating UK roads will be at their busiest since Easter and therefore we are preparing our patrols to deal with the inevitable increase in breakdowns amid greater congestion." |
James Beresford, chief executive of tourist board Visit England, said: "An improvement in the weather over the bank holiday should hopefully inspire people to get out and about and make the most of the long weekend." | James Beresford, chief executive of tourist board Visit England, said: "An improvement in the weather over the bank holiday should hopefully inspire people to get out and about and make the most of the long weekend." |
Engineering works | Engineering works |
Meanwhile, airports said they were not expecting a repeat of the Easter weekend, when unusually cold temperatures led to a surge in people leaving the UK for warmer climes. | |
Passenger numbers are anticipated to be higher than on a normal weekend, but are typical for this time of year, when the country's major airports start to see an increase in passengers ahead of the summer. | Passenger numbers are anticipated to be higher than on a normal weekend, but are typical for this time of year, when the country's major airports start to see an increase in passengers ahead of the summer. |
National Rail Enquiries said many train operators were planning to run weekend services on bank holiday Monday, with engineering works planned in a number of areas. | National Rail Enquiries said many train operators were planning to run weekend services on bank holiday Monday, with engineering works planned in a number of areas. |
On Sunday and Monday, some train services between London Euston and Crewe will be replaced by buses. | On Sunday and Monday, some train services between London Euston and Crewe will be replaced by buses. |
Passengers are advised to check before travelling to see how their journey might be affected. | Passengers are advised to check before travelling to see how their journey might be affected. |