The AA is issuing an Amber Traffic Warning for this weekend and is advising drivers of delays between 11:00 and 15:00 on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30. Train strikes, the start of the EFL football season, the opening weekend of the Commonwealth Games merge with the continuation of the Summer Getaway as holiday lets carry out their first switchover dates.
Congestion is likely to be felt worst as drivers head towards the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone. However, the AA is hopeful that changes have been implemented this week at those two ports, meaning there will not be a repeat of last weekend.
Drivers in the West Country are expected to be affected. Those heading towards Devon and Cornwall using the M5, A303 and A30 are anticipated to experience traffic jams.
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Closer to home, the south west and western sections of the M25, the Bristol M4/M5 junction, M6, M42, M1 and M62 are also vulnerable to jams this weekend. Following a spike in complex breakdowns, the AA is stressing the importance of carrying out pre-travel checks on their cars to avoid unnecessary breakdowns.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said; "With holiday let switchover day starting on Friday mixed with train strikes and a huge weekend of sport, we are concerned that drivers will experience delays across the network with the South of England particularly vulnerable.
"All eyes will be on Dover and Folkestone, but we believe changes have been made throughout the week and we will keep our fingers crossed for a smoother trip across The Channel. Breakdowns can make jams worse and last weekend we saw a rise in breakdowns where vehicle checks had not been carried out before setting off.
"Spending 10 minutes checking tyres and fluid levels before setting off can make a big difference in helping people getting to their destination. As well as preparing your car, those using the car for long journeys should prepare for jams, carry plenty of food and water as well as entertainment for younger travellers.
"Downloading the AA App will keep you up to date with the latest traffic news and can be used to report a breakdown should the worst happen."
EFL Championship fixtures from longest to shortest distance
Fixtures |
Journey time |
Distance (one-way miles) |
Cardiff v Norwich |
4hr 48 min |
278.6 |
Blackpool v Reading |
3hr 58 min |
238.2 |
Rotherham v Swansea |
3hr 58 min |
234.4 |
Hull v Bristol City |
3hr 56 min |
231.7 |
Blackburn v QPR |
3hr 52 min |
227.8 |
Sunderland v Coventry |
3hr 24 min |
200.4 |
Middlesbrough v West Brom |
3hr 5 min |
179.1 |
Watford v Sheffield Utd |
2hr 45 min |
147.0 |
Luton v Birmingham City |
55 mins |
32.9 |
Huddersfield v Burnley |
1hr |
25.4 |
Wigan v Preston North End |
32mins |
19.6 |
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