Travellers warned of traffic congestion over half-term holiday

AA has released a forecast cautioning travellers about possible congestion and queues on the roads over the weekend, as thousands of families head abroad on half-term breaks.

AA added that roads to airport and other major roads would be particularly affected.

Rainy weather and the school holiday will likely cause the worst traffic congestion of the last twelve months, AA has warned. Safety campaigners and the Highway Agency have all warned drivers to be extra careful on the roads. This will be especially crucial when the clocks are turned back on Sunday, and evenings will get concurrently darker.

Thousands of UK families are expected to leave Britain in search of sunshine, by heading to popular holiday spots like Tenerife and Turkey over the half-term break. An AA spokesperson has said the agency is expecting the peak of congestion to occur after 3pm on Friday, and on Sunday, when the families begin returning from the holidays. The agency has urged travellers to plan ahead of their journey, and to check if there are any delays on the route ahead before setting off. This would allow travellers to avoid routes facing heavy congestion or blockades.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has also warned cyclists and pedestrians who may have to travel in the dark to ensure they can be clearly seen, and motorists have been asked to watch speeding levels and to keep a wary eye out for more vulnerable road users.