Drivers warned over big getaway

26/05/2011

By Paul McGurk

Drivers have been warned over heavy traffic in the lead-up to a bank holiday weekend, with particularly bad traffic jams expected.

A number of roadworks have been completed - or suspended - by the Highways Agency pending the rush, although 25 locations still have restrictions. Severe delays are most likely within a three-mile stretch of road at the A20 Roundhill Viaduct near the port of Folkestone, Kent.

The traffic firm INRIX said the worst spot for congestion is likely to be Manchester later on Friday. North and south London will also see heavier traffic as Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley and the Aviva Premiership rugby final also takes place at Twickenham.

Restrictions will be lifted at 20 sites between Friday morning and the early hours of Monday. Roadworks will stay in place at the M1 on junctions 2 to 4 just north of London where repairs continue following an under-viaduct fire.

Several M25 roadworks are also set to stay in place, as well as a three-and-a-half mile stretch of the M4 near Newbury in Berkshire. Bottlenecks can also be expected at the M5 towards Birmingham, at the Blackwall Tunnel Approach in south London and a part of the M25 near Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.