May Day bank holiday 2023: Rail and road delays predicted out of London

RAC and Network Rail give advice to those looking to get away this bank holiday
Heavy traffic is expected this weekend.
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William Mata25 April 2023

Anyone looking to make a getaway this bank holiday weekend is being urged to check before they travel, with road and rail delays predicted.

The RAC has said 17.2 million leisure trips could be made from April 28 to May 1, which would make it the most popular early May getaway for seven years.

The number of cars on the road could lead to delays, while Network Rail has also confirmed there are cancellations and disruptions on some mainline routes out of London.

This is what we know about the transport situation ahead of this early May bank holiday.

What will it be like on the roads?

The RAC has said the most number of journeys could be undertaken this weekend since 2016, and will be busier than the King’s Coronation weekend, when 15 million leisure trips are planned.

Spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “While we’d expect more short breaks and day trips to the coast this coming weekend, when it comes to the Coronation, it’s likely major routes are less likely to be congested.

“The big variable, as always, is what happens with the Great British weather. If temperatures finally increase, and the sun makes more of an appearance, we could well see many more people jumping in the car for a quick trip.”

The company has said routes in and out of London are likely to be some of the most delayed, including the M25 and M11.

The M5 after Bristol could also see tailbacks, as could the M6 northbound after Chester.

Are trains running on the bank holiday?

Trains are running this weekend, with 95 per cent of the network operating as normal, but some routes are subject to delays or cancellations.

Jake Kelly, Network Rail’s system operator director, told the Guardian: “The majority of the rail network will be open as usual for passengers travelling over the bank holiday weekend, but we do have some vital upgrade work taking place.”

Network Rail has said rail passengers should check before travelling, with no trains running out of London Euston station on Sunday.

“Services from the London hub will also be severely limited on Saturday, affecting Avanti and London Northwestern trains on the west coast mainline,” a statement added.

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