Christmas getaway travel
While it may be wet and windy in places, drivers can take consolation that Christmas getaway traffic isn’t expected to be as heavy as normal, says the AA.
The AA’s traffic information partner, Trafficmaster, believes the main getaway will be spread over several days: from tomorrow afternoon (20 December) until Christmas Eve, which should help to ease traffic problems as many take a fortnight break.
According to Trafficmaster, the heaviest traffic can be expected on the following stretches:
Road - Section of road
M25
All sections but especially around the long-term roadworks between Junction 5 (Sevenoaks) and Junction 6 (Godstone); and around Junction 14/15 (Heathrow Airport and M4 interchange)
M1
Both ways between Junction 6A (M25) and Junction 13 (Milton Keynes); and both ways between Junction 21 and Junction 32 (through East Midlands)
M3
From Junction 2 (M25) to Junction 6 (Basingstoke)
M4
From Junction 1 (Chiswick) to Junction 13 (Newbury); and from Junction 20 (M32) to Junction 32 (Cardiff)
M6
Both ways between Junction 4 and Junction 11 (through West Midlands); and both ways between Junction 11A (M6 Toll northern end) and Junction 21 (M62)
M60
All sections, especially both ways between Junction 12 (Eccles) and Junction 18 (M62/M66)
M62
From Junction 12 (M60 and Eccles) to Junction 10 (M6 and Warrington); and both ways around Junctions 26/30 (through West Yorkshire)
Commuter traffic will continue to ease off between now and Christmas Eve. However, local leisure traffic will peak during this period with roads very busy around major shopping centres and large supermarkets. Drivers are advised to leave early to beat the queues and use park and ride facilities where possible.
With many expected to take a fortnight off, traffic will remain light after Christmas, according to Trafficmaster, except around retail outlets as New Year sales get under way. Normal commuter traffic patterns will resume from the main return to work on Monday, 6 January.
Driving over Christmas and New Year
A recent AA/Populus survey of 21,587 AA members found that tomorrow (20 December) and Monday (23 December) will be the busiest days with 41 and 37 per cent respectively driving more than 20 miles.
This Saturday (21 December) is set to be the busiest day for shopping or other day trips with twice (20% vs 10%) as many driving more than 20 miles for this reason than on Christmas Eve. On the latter, unsurprisingly, more men (11%) than women (9%) will be out last-minute Christmas shopping.
The roads won’t be completely deserted on Christmas Day with more than a fifth (22%) of respondents likely to cover more than 20 miles by car. On Boxing Day, four times as many will cover at least that distance seeing family or friends (21%) than braving the sales (5%).
Almost a quarter (24%) will venture that far on New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay with New Year’s Day one of the quietest days (17%). On the former, one-in-ten nationally will drive more than 20 miles seeing family or friends, particularly the Northern Irish (18%) and Scots (12%)
Be prepared and be informed
Tony Rich, AA patrol of the year, says: “With Christmas and New Year falling on a Wednesday, it’s expected that many people will start a two-week break tomorrow.
“While this will help stagger getaway traffic – on what is usually one of the busier periods on the roads – heavy rain and wind currently forecast for northern and western areas could cause some disruption. Keep tuned to the weather and traffic reports and, if it’s bad, allow more time for your journey.
“If you’re travelling with children, take plenty of things to keep them entertained and try to break up any journey more than three hours long.
“Before heading off, take a few minutes to do the basic checks on your car, not forgetting to top up the windscreen wash, check and clean your lights, and adjust tyre pressures for a full load, if required.
“Also with an unsettled forecast, pack a few extra warm and waterproof layers, food, water, torch, fully-charged mobile and an atlas or sat-nav in case of any unexpected diversions.”
Christmas Day working
Although it’s the quietest day of the year by far for car breakdowns, AA patrols across the country volunteer to work on Christmas Day to rescue those in trouble.
Last year, they came to the aid of around 3,200 members on Christmas Day; and this year, around 450 patrols and a similar number of call handlers and operational employees will work in shifts on Christmas Day. Further patrols will be on standby ready to forgo Christmas festivities if required.
Patrols who work on Christmas Day are paid a premium rate and their colleagues at the AA’s operational centre at Oldbury, West Midlands, will enjoy a special Christmas buffet.