Bank Holiday Monday Meltdown: Road and Rail Chaos Looms
Motorists are facing a potential "Monday meltdown" on the roads, with the RAC warning of severe delays due to a surge in holidaymakers returning home and day-trippers taking advantage of the sunny weather.
RAC spokesperson, Simon Williams, urged drivers to travel early in the morning or after 7 pm to avoid the worst of the congestion. "As soon as the sunshine comes out, so will the traffic," he warned. "It could be a nightmare day to travel."
Adding to the travel misery, extensive rail engineering works are causing significant disruption across the network, particularly on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and the West Coast Main Line (WCML).
National Rail has warned of cancellations and delays on the LNER route between London and Scotland, with bus replacement services in operation until Monday morning. The operator explained that hundreds of engineering projects were being undertaken during the August bank holiday, with the most disruptive works taking place at London King's Cross and Euston.
Services to and from King's Cross will be significantly impacted, with many services on the ECML using replacement buses and others cancelled entirely. The ECML connects London to Scotland, serving major cities such as York, Durham, and Newcastle.
Network Rail announced that no long-distance services will run to or from King's Cross between Saturday evening and Monday morning. This disruption is part of the East Coast Digital Programme and includes maintenance work between Biggleswade and Fletton/Potters Bar.
Replacement bus services will be in place between Potters Bar and Peterborough, St Neots and Bedford, Hertford North and Royston, and Stevenage and Hertford North.
Euston station will also experience a reduced and amended service on the WCML throughout the weekend. This is due to work taking place in the Stoke-on-Trent/Macclesfield area, which will affect both long-distance journeys and local travel.
A reduced timetable will be in place between Euston and Milton Keynes on Saturday and Sunday, as HS2 engineers continue work to lengthen a road bridge near the station.
Disruptions will also affect services in the Stoke area from Saturday until Tuesday, as work to renew switches and crossings takes place. An amended train service will operate between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly, and bus replacement services will be available.
Adding to the travel chaos, airports are expected to see their busiest weekend of the year, with queues at passport control anticipated as two million Britons return from their long weekend breaks.
The Port of Dover is expecting over 20,000 cars to travel through its harbour over the weekend, with both inbound and outbound journeys contributing to the high numbers.
Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, warned that waiting times could be longer than usual due to ongoing work to prepare for new EU entry regulations. These works have reduced the size of processing areas at the main ferry port to France.
Overall, this August bank holiday weekend promises to be a challenging one for travellers, with significant road and rail disruptions anticipated. Those planning to travel are advised to check for updates and allow extra time for their journeys.