Posted: 2:00 PM July 28, 2022
Motorists traveling there from Norfolk this weekend have been told to expect delays as an amber traffic warning has been issued.
The AA has issued the warning to motorists for possible delays on roads across the country between 11am and 3pm on Friday 29 July and Saturday 30 July.
The guidance comes amid rail strikes, the opening weekend of the football league season, the start of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the second weekend of the school holidays.
Traffic queues on the M20 near Folkestone in Kent on July 22 as families embark on break away at the start of the summer holidays for many schools in England and Wales. – Credit: PA
The major delays are likely to be felt worst towards the port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone as holidaymakers flock to Kent to cross the English Channel to France.
Tens of thousands of families saw the start of their summer holidays ruined last weekend as roads leading into Dover were blocked, causing delays of several hours.
This was attributed to a shortage of French border officers and a serious accident on the M20.
Away from the south-east, drivers heading towards Devon and Cornwall via the M5, A303 and A30 are set to experience traffic jams.
Similarly, the south-west and west sections of the M25, the M4/M5 Bristol junction, the M6, the M42, the M1 and the M62 are all vulnerable to congestion this weekend.
Norwich City travel to Wales to play Cardiff on Saturday, while Ipswich Town host Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “With the bank holiday changeover day starting on Friday mixed with rail strikes and a big sports weekend, we are concerned that drivers will experience delays to the whole network, especially in the south of England.vulnerable.
“Breakdowns can make traffic jams worse and last weekend we saw an increase in breakdowns where vehicle checks had not been carried out before leaving.”
Traffic on the M4 at Junction 5 on July 22 as families embark on breakaways at the start of the summer holidays for many schools in England and Wales. – Credit: PA
To combat potential roadway problems, Mr. Cousens urged drivers to spend time checking tires and fluid levels before traveling.
He added: “As well as preparing the car, those using it for long journeys should prepare for jams, bring plenty of food and water, as well as entertainment for younger travellers.”
90% of Greater Anglia services will not run on Saturday as ASLEF members in Greater Anglia, along with seven other rail companies, are on strike.
The Norwich to London Liverpool Street intercity service will operate a greatly reduced service throughout the day.
There will also be greatly reduced services between Norwich, Colchester, Southend Victoria and Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street, with far fewer trains than usual.
People going to see Lady Gaga at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium on Saturday have also been asked to find alternative transport to get to the stadium due to the rail strike.
Greater Anglia rail strike to take place on Saturday – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
Jamie Burles, chief executive of Greater Anglia, said: “We know that football fans enjoy traveling to games by train and there are also many events in the region and in London that people have been looking forward to.
“Unfortunately, with our drivers on strike, we can only offer a very limited service and therefore our advice is to avoid traveling on our trains.
“We deeply regret the continued disruption this industrial action is causing our customers.
“The industry is working to resolve the disputes.”