Bank holiday traffic warning issued by AA – here's how to avoid the queues
A survey released by AA shows that over 20 million journeys will be made on Friday 23 May, while over 19 million will be taken on each of the following days to Monday 26 May.
As a result, the AA has issued an amber traffic warning to alert drivers to expect extra congestion on the roads.
Half of the trips will be under 50 miles suggesting traffic will be focussed around local destinations and attractions such as retail parks and town centres.
"Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Let's make sure we all get there safely and enjoy the time with our loved ones," Shaun Jones, from AA said.
Due to the expected significant increase in traffic over the weekend, AA is advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance, stay updated with congestion and roadworks, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy before setting off.
'By following these tips, we can all contribute to a safer and more pleasant travel experience during the bank holiday weekend,' Jones added.
One in 10 of those surveyed said they are not driving over the long weekend, while 30 per cent were unsure of their plans.
With the recent sun and warm weather, over seven million plan to embark on trips to the coast, sporting events and garden centres on Saturday 24 May, while 3.5 million indicated they intend to take a long weekend break away from home.
The Met Office has said to expect more unsettled conditions with rain or showers in many areas in the UK, ending the prolonged dry spell.
Mark Sidaway, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Whilst the bank holiday won't be a complete washout, with some sunshine expected, this weekend represents a notable shift from the fine and settled weather pattern that has dominated so far this month.'
While the AA reported that fewer respondents than they expected were planning to head to the coast, it anticipates that routes to popular coastal destinations to be busier than usual, if the previous good weather continues.
These include roads heading towards the east coast such as Skegness as well as the south west and Cornwall, including the A303, M5 and A38, and those leading to Wales such as the M4.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
How the ABC bungled a $4billion payday - as Aussie show among the biggest in the world makes major move
The ABC has been left red-faced after the UK channel that airs Bluey announced it is set to make even more money off one of Australia's most successful cultural exports. This week, the BBC revealed plans to transform Bluey into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, marking another major commercial leap for the animated juggernaut. Alongside the expansion of its already booming merchandise empire, a Bluey feature film is now in the works, set to be released in 2027 and distributed globally by Disney. In just 2024 alone, Bluey was the driving force behind a bumper $4billion in commercial profits for BBC Studios through global licensing, product deals, and themed experiences. That staggering haul is more than four times the annual budget of the ABC, which is funded by the federal government and Australian taxpayers. The ABC was among the original co-commissioners of Bluey, which first aired in 2018, but failed to secure any significant merchandising deals. Despite being developed and produced in Brisbane by Ludo Studio, most of the benefits of show's commercial success has flowed offshore. Since its debut, Bluey has become a global sensation, celebrated for its heartwarming storytelling, gentle humour, and uniquely Australian character. Bluey-branded merchandise ranges from plush toys and puzzles to camping gear, clothing, and even nappies. In 2024, a large-scale Bluey-themed attraction, Bluey's World, opened in Brisbane, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 'World's Greatest Places' for 2025. In the same year, Bluey was the number one most viewed show in the United States, recording more than 55billion minutes of viewing time on Disney+. 'From a retail sales standpoint, we are generating about £2.7bn in global retail sales across our entire portfolio and Bluey is a really, really big chunk of that,' Suzy Raia, who heads global consumer products at BBC Studios, told The Guardian. Yet despite its deep Australian roots, the ABC has reaped little financial reward from Bluey's explosive global success. As reported by The Courier-Mail in February, the ABC made no attempt to secure merchandising rights during the show's early development. Then-managing director David Anderson was present at the meeting where Bluey was first pitched to the network. 'We don't make money out of Bluey,' Anderson told the ABC in 2023. 'What Bluey does is provide joy to children and families all over the country and now all over the world. And that would be priceless.' In 2024, ABC Chair Kim Williams addressed the Australian Press Club, warning of declining public funding for the broadcaster and calling for greater government support. Just a few months later in June, the ABC slashed at least 50 jobs in a round of budget cuts, under the new leadership of Managing Director Hugh Marks. Among the casualties was the long-running current affairs program Q&A, once a flagship forum for national political and cultural debate. In an email sent to ABC staff, Marks justified the changes were part of the ABC stepping back from 'areas that no longer align with our priorities'.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Everyone who is eligible for free bus pass in England as Labour confirms major rule change – and those who will miss out
DEMANDS for fairer travel passes for England's over-60s have been growing stronger. And as Labour confirms a major rule change - who will miss out? 1 Those eligible for a free bus pass in England Currently, people in England that live outside London, only qualify for free off-peak bus travel once they reach state pension age which is currently 66. But in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, residents enjoy this benefit from the age of 60. In response to a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Dr Al Pinkerton, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that English councils can choose to offer additional local concessions, Such as earlier eligibility for free bus passes — but must fund them themselves reports The Star. Lightwood said: 'The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) costs around £700 million annually. 'Any changes to the statutory obligations… would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme's financial sustainability.' Petition surpasses 101,000 signatures The revelation that councils already have this power has given fresh energy to campaigners. A petition calling for the ENCTS to be expanded nationally to include all over-60s in England — not just those in London — has now surpassed 101,000 signatures. The petition argues the current rules are outdated and unfair. It says: 'As people get older, some over 60s drive less and less. The Selfish Travel Trend Annoying Public Transport Users Everywhere 'We believe we need equality on public transport. "It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.' What does this mean for you? If you're 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London with an Oyster photocard. But if you're aged between 60 and 66 in England and don't live in London the answer as to when you'll be eligible for free bus travel, could depend on where you live. While there's no national plan yet to lower the threshold, your local council can introduce an over-60s scheme. It all comes down to public pressure and local campaigning. With confirmed government backing for local flexibility, some councils could act — if residents persist on having their voices heard.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
US now only has 10th most powerful passport in world...with top three nations now all in Asia
The United States has dropped to its lowest position yet in the ranking of most powerful passport in the world. Americans once held the strongest passport for visa-free entry, with the US most recently topping the list in 2014. According to the latest ranking, it has now dropped down to tenth place. The list has been produced by the Henley Passport Index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It analyzes how many countries a passport holder can enter without a prior visa. In what has been a downward trend, the US is now tied with Iceland and Lithuania with 182 destinations. The three most powerful passports are all from Asian countries, with Singapore 's passport – allowing visa-free entry to 193 destinations - holding the top spot. Next, Japan and South Korea are tied with 190 destinations. In third place, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain - all countries in the European Union - tie with 189 possible destinations. The UK and US have each dropped a place in the global passport rankings since January, with the British passport - which topped the rankings in 2015, slipping from fifth to sixth place, with 186 destinations. At the opposite end of the global mobility spectrum, Afghanistan is still at the bottom, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa. This makes for a staggering mobility gap of 168 destinations between the top-and bottom-ranked passports. As for biggest risers, the UAE continues to be a standout, shooting up 34 places over the last 10 years from 42nd to eighth place. China is also quickly moving up the rankings, rising 34 places from 94 to 60 since 2015 - an especially impressive feat, considering China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area. Meanwhile, the biggest faller on these rankings is Venezuela, which plunged 15 places from 30 to 45. Christian H. Kaelin, who is credited with creating the index, said in a news release that the latest findings highlight an 'increasingly competitive landscape in global mobility,' with the most successful countries demonstrating proactive efforts to engage with others. Dr. Juerg Steffen, Chief Executive Officer at Henley & Partners, says this trend is reshaping the investment migration landscape. 'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally. 'As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we're witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document - it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. 'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.' THE HENLEY PASSPORT POWER INDEX GLOBAL RANKING 2025 Singapore 193 (visa-free destinations) Japan, South Korea 190 Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain 189 Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden 188 Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland 187 United Kingdom 186 Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland 185 Canada, Estonia, UAE 184 Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia 183 Iceland, Lithuania, United States 182 Liechtenstein, Malaysia 181 Cyprus 178 Bulgaria, Monaco, Romania 177 Chile 176 Andorra 171 Argentina, Brazil, San Marino 170 Hong Kong 169 Israel 168 Brunei 164 Barbados 163 Bahamas 159 Mexico 158 Uruguay 157 Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines 156 St. Kitts and Nevis, Vatican City 154 Antigua and Barbuda 152 Costa Rica, Mauritius 149 Panama, Trinidad and Tobago 148 Grenada, Ukraine 147 Paraguay, St. Lucia 146 Macao 144 Dominica, Peru 143 Taiwan 139 Serbia 138 El Salvador 135 Guatemala, Solomon Islands 134 Colombia, Honduras 132 North Macedonia 130 Samoa, Tonga 129 Marshall Islands, Montenegro 128 Nicaragua, Tuvula 127 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kiribati, Micronesia, Palau Islands 123 Albania 122 Moldova 121 Venezuela 119 Russian Federation, Türkiye 114 Qatar 112 South Africa 103 Belize 102 Kuwait 100 Timor-Leste 96 Ecuador 94 Maldives 93 Guyana, Saudi Arabia, Vanuatu 91 Bahrain, Fiji 90 Jamaica, Oman 88 Nauru 87 Papua New Guinea 86 Botswana 85 China 83 Kosovo 82 Belarus, Thailand 81 Kazakhstan, Namibia 79 Bolivia, Suriname 78 Lesotho 76 eSwatini, Indonesia 74 Dominican Republic, Malawi, Morocco 73 Azerbaijan 72 Kenya, The Gambia 71 Tanzania 70 Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde Islands, Ghana, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia 67 Mongolia, Philippines, Sierra Leone 65 Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe 63 Mozambique, Uzbekistan 62 Sao Tome and Principe 61 Cuba, Togo 60 Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Senegal 59 Gabon, Madagascar 58 Guinea, Mauritania, Niger 57 Equatorial Guinea, Tajikistan, 56 Algeria, Mali 55 Guinea-Bissau 54 Cambodia, Chad, Comoro Islands, Haiti 52 Bhutan, Central African Republic, Jordan, Liberia, Vietnam 51 Cameroon, Egypt, Turkmenistan 49 Angola, Burundi, Congo, Laos 48 Djibouti 47 Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria 45 Lebanon 44 Congo (Democratic Republic), South Sudan 43 Iran, Sri Lanka 42 Sudan 41 North Korea 40 Bangladesh, Eritrea, Palestinian Territory 39 Libya, Nepal 38 Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen 32 Iraq 30 Syria 27 Afghanistan 25
