A crash involving a van has caused severe traffic congestion on the M25 clockwise in Surrey, just as millions prepare to travel for the early May bank holiday weekend.
Motorists are currently stuck between junction J10 (Guildford) and J11 (Woking), creating queues that stretch for six miles. The delays amount to around 45 minutes, which is frustrating for many eager to start their holiday.
Interestingly, this year’s early May bank holiday is anticipated to be one of the busiest on UK roads in a decade. With around 19 million trips forecasted over the weekend, it’s no surprise that traffic conditions have become strained so quickly.
Today alone, about 3.7 million people are expected to hit the roads, marking it as ‘Frantic Friday.’ Saturday is projected to be even busier, with an estimated 4 million trips.
The situation isn’t just affecting those traveling clockwise; severe delays are also reported on the anticlockwise carriageway, with queues extending back toward Heathrow Airport and junction J13.
Fuel prices remain a concern for many drivers. Currently, petrol averages around 157.17 pence, while diesel sits at 189.23 pence. Despite these high costs, people seem undeterred — they are determined to make the most of their time off.
Sean Kimberlin from RAC noted, “Even though fuel prices are uncomfortably high it clearly takes a lot to stop drivers taking to the roads to make the most of a bank holiday weekend.” This sentiment reflects a broader trend of resilience among drivers.
The National Highways reported that Surrey Police are now on scene managing traffic flow. However, no timeline has been shared regarding when normal conditions will resume.
This chaotic start might set the tone for what could be a challenging travel weekend ahead. With so many planning journeys, one wonders how these early disruptions will affect overall travel experiences this bank holiday.