AA warn M4 in South Wales expected to be congestion hotspot
The roads are expected to be busy despite the mixed weather forecast for the long weekend.
Two major games in Cardiff over the weekend are also expected to add to the congestion.
Bath Rugby is taking on Lyon on Friday night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in the final of the 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup.
There is expected to be heavy congestion on the M4.
GWR has also advised rail passengers to expect busy trains.
The firm is also warning of disruption on Saturday when Northampton Saints take on Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup Final at the Principality.
Rain is forecast for Bank Holiday Monday with mixed weather for the rest of the weekend.
According to an AA survey, more than 20 million journeys are expected on Friday, May 3, with over 19 million each day from Saturday, May 4, to Monday, May 6.
Half of these trips are set to be under 50 miles, indicating traffic will be concentrated around local destinations and attractions such as retail parks and town centres.
Shaun Jones from the AA said: "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."
The AA advises drivers to plan their journeys in advance, stay updated with congestion and roadworks, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy before setting off.
Mr Jones added: "By following these tips, we can all contribute to a safer and more pleasant travel experience during the bank holiday weekend."
With the recent sun and warm weather, over seven million people plan to embark on trips to the coast, sporting events, and garden centres on Saturday, May 4, while 3.5 million indicated they intend to take a long weekend break away from home.
However, the Met Office has warned of 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."
The AA anticipates that routes to popular coastal destinations will 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.
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Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Huw Jones proves a point and Finn Russell unflappable as Lions win series with record comeback
Tourists claw back 18-point deficit to take second Test at MCG Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Huw Jones had his credentials questioned this week but the Scotland player answered his critics in the best possible way as he played a central role in the British and Irish Lions' series-clinching victory over the Wallabies in the second Test in Melbourne. In what is considered to be the mecca of Australian sport, Jones scored one of the Lions' five tries in a nailbiter at the MCG. Australia led from the fourth minute until the last but Hugo Keenan had the final say, getting around Len Ikitau to score the winning try after 12 phases of patient play. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There was no panic from the men in red, no rashness or risky drop goal attempts, just a trust in the process. For Keenan, it was an extraordinary end to a gruelling tour. The Irish full-back was sick for around 12 days and reckons he lost around six kilos in that time. There was no loss of energy evident in his performance as he played the full 80 minutes and had the final say in the 29-26 victory. Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn celebrate the Lions' series victory following the 29-26 win over Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. | PA It means the Lions have won the series; they lead 2-0 with a game to spare. That makes it sounds like it was straightforward but it was anything but. Last week's first Test in Brisbane was far more one-sided that the 27-19 scoreline suggested. Australia were poor but they were a different beast in Melbourne, bolstered by the return from injury of the abrasive Rob Valetini and the outstanding Will Skelton. Three Wallabies tries in seven minutes The Wallabies duo caused chaos for the Lions, getting under their skin in the first half, and the hosts led 23-5 at one point. The scored three tries in seven minutes, two of them while Tommy Freeman was in the sin-bin, and it was looking bleak for the visitors. They needed to stem the bleeding and they did it with two tries before half-time from Tom Curry and Jones. Jones - who played well in the first Test, it should be stressed - was initially left out by head coach Andy Farrell for the second game. The former Ireland coach wanted to partner Garry Ringrose with Bundee Aki in an all-Irish centre pairing. But Ringrose reported concussion symptoms, having already missed the first Test. It was a selfless act by the Leinster man and it meant a reprieve for Jones who started again at 13. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jones praises Ringrose The Glasgow Warriors player admitted it had been a turbulent week for him and he had nothing but praise for Ringrose. 'I had the initial disappointment of not being named in the squad internally,' Jones said. 'Luckily, we'd all run through the plays. So, on Thursday, when Garry pulled out, I was gutted for him, because he deserved to play. 'We've got so close over this period, all the centres have come together on this tour and we all connected really well. So for him to have to pull himself out is so tough. But, yeah, look, I got the nod, was ready to go and I'm just, just glad we got the job done today.' Huw Jones of the British & Irish Lions scores a first-half try during the second Test of the series against Australia. | Getty Images The Lions were much improved in the second half when the Aussies were without the influential Valetini, removed at the interval. The tourists' discipline was far better and tries from Tadhg Beirne and Keenan won the match and took down a few records in the process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Records tumble at the MCG It was the biggest ever comeback in a Lions Test as the tourists hauled back the 18-point deficit. It was also a record crowd, with 97,307 inside the fabled MCG. It looked as if half of them were wearing red and they witnessed the Lions winning their first Test series since 2013. It is only their third success of the professional era and the first time they have taken a 2-0 lead since 1997. On that occasion, it was a Scot at 10 as Gregor Townsend piloted Ian McGeechan's side to victory in South Africa. This time around, Finn Russell was at the controls and delivered once again to cap off the most successful season of his storied career. A Premiership and European Challenge Cup double with Bath has been followed with a Lions series triumph. Unflappable Finn Russell At 32, Russell is at his peak. Utterly unflappable, always in the moment and invariably picking the right option. It was never more visible than in the climactic moments when he kept the Lions playing through the phases before the chance opened up for Keenan. 'I think at about 70 minutes in, we got down here [the Australian 22] and got a penalty under the posts and I was thinking if we get down here again we're probably going to have to look at the drop goal option,' said Russell. 'But we'd had some good play building up to the try at the end. I just felt we had them kind of chasing around all over the pitch so I wasn't looking for that drop kick yet. I thought we could land that killer blow as we did. It's obviously a little bit risky if you knock it on and they get that jackal but I think at that point we had a lot of momentum and we were always going to score at some point.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hugo Keenan of the British and Irish Lions celebrates after scoring the winning try during the second Test of the series against Australia. | Getty Images Russell admitted he didn't have his kicking boots on - he landed two from five - but the Lions outscored the hosts by five tries to three and that in itself made them worthy winners. It was Australia who made all the early running, though. Skelton and Valetini galvanise the Wallabies Spurred on by the returning Skelton and Valetini, they surged into a 6-0 lead with two penalties from Tom Lynagh. Skelton was late into the back of Tadhg Furlong, sparking an early flare up and Maro Itoje could be heard moaning on the ref mic. 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Hugo Keenan, of the British & Irish Lions, who scored the last-minute match-winning try is carried high by team-mates Jamie George (R) and Joe McCarthy. | Getty Images It was now 23-5 and the game appeared to be slipping from the Lions' grasp. The return of Freeman helped steady the ship and Curry stepped inside Gordon to score in the corner before Jones had his moment, powering between Tate McDermott and Max Jorgensen for a memorable try. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It meant the Aussies' lead had been cut to 23-17 just before the interval and the Lions managed to improve their discipline in the second half and cut off the access they had given their hosts. Blair Kinghorn came on after 60 minutes and looked dangerous on his Lions Test debut. By that point, Beirne had scored the visitors' fourth try, which Russell converted. Lynagh had earlier landed his third penalty so it now stood at 26-24 to Australia going into the final quarter. 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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
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Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Lionesses star has two reasons to celebrate as England handed huge boost on eve of Euros final
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