Travel disruption hits bank holiday weekend

Heavy traffic, a rail strike, and ongoing engineering work are expected to disrupt travel for millions this bank holiday weekend.

Millions face travel disruptions during bank holiday weekend

Millions across the UK face travel disruptions this bank holiday weekend because of heavy traffic, a rail strike and engineering work. The RAC estimates about 17.6 million car getaways between Friday and Monday, with peak numbers on Friday and Saturday. It warns that delays could exceed 40 minutes on busy routes, especially on the M5 from Bristol to Devon and the M20 in Kent. Network Rail is carrying out 261 projects nationwide, which will close or divert several key routes. CrossCountry trains will be completely suspended on Saturday, with major disruptions on Sunday and a reduced schedule on Monday. Some long-distance services will be diverted or cancelled, including routes between London King’s Cross and Peterborough on Sunday and reduced services on Avanti West Coast.

The weekend shows how much the transport system relies on a fragile balance between road and rail, maintenance work and labour actions. It highlights how a few hours of delay can ripple into hours of extra travel time for families and workers alike. There is a growing need for clearer planning, better real-time information, and a more resilient timetable that can absorb peak demand without grinding to a halt.

Highlights

The weekend underscores the importance of planning and patience as the transport network navigates maintenance and disruption.