The great Christmas getaway it set to be the busiest in years as people take to the roads to see family and friends after last year’s pandemic restrictions.
Motoring organisation RAC said its research had revealed it was expecting the biggest festive flight in five years building up to a ‘frantic Friday’ on Christmas Eve.
Many families will be hoping to spend the festive holiday with loved ones after enforced separation last year. But the RAC admitted the rapid spread of Omicron may curtail celebrations for some.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Despite the increasing prevalence of the Omicron Covid variant, our research shows that the vast majority of drivers are still determined to do Christmas properly this year – in sharp contrast to 12 months ago.
“We’re expecting the biggest Christmas getaway for five years, including a frantic festive Friday on Christmas Eve.”
The organisation estimated that 27 million leisure trips will be made by people in cars between today and Christmas Eve.
An average of 4.1 million such journeys will take place every day next week, according to the RAC, reaching a peak of 5.3 million on Friday.
Drivers wanting to avoid the worst congestion are being advised to either start their journeys early or postpone until after dark.
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The figures are based on a poll of 1,400 motorists surveyed between 9 December and 14 December. It found just 10 per cent of drivers do not plan on travelling by car over the festive period this year because of the virus.
The RAC is urging drivers to carry out checks on their tyres, oil, coolant and screen wash before embarking on getaway journeys.
Inrix analyst Bob Pishue said: “With kids out of school and many Brits taking extended time off for the holidays, drivers can expect moderate delays around the UK, but heavier congestion on motorways in and out of the cities.
“Leaving later in the day is recommended, as roads will begin to clog up during the early afternoon.”
Traffic hotspots to avoid
Some of the worst traffic congestion is likely to be on the M25 between Gatwick Airport and Junction 16 on Thursday afternoon, according to traffic information supplier Inrix.
Delays are also expected on the clockwise M60 near Manchester, the southbound M40 in Oxfordshire and the northern and western sections of the M25.
There was some morsels of good news for those planning to take to the roads in the run-up to Christmas Day.
Mr Dennis said overall traffic volumes in the run-up to the big day are “set to be down slightly on normal given the current work-from-home guidance, there’s reason to hope there won’t be too many queues as millions get away to see friends and family”.
And in a gesture of goodwill for yuletide, National Highways, which manages England’s motorways and major A-roads, said it will remove more than 900 miles of roadworks ahead of the festive getaway.
It will mean almost 98 per cent of its network will be clear of cones from 6am on Tuesday until 4 January, the first working day of 2022.
