Holiday travelers faced significant delays across major roads and motorways this past week as people returned home after the Christmas festivities. Congestion reports flooded traffic monitoring sites, painting a challenging picture for drivers seeking to resume their routines before the New Year.
On the M20, for example, drivers heading for the Eurotunnel encountered long backups on December 27. National Highways indicated there were two miles of stoppages on the eastbound carriageway between junction 11 (Westenhanger, Hythe) and the junction 11A exit to the Channel Tunnel, leading to wait times exceeding 45 minutes. Traffic monitoring site Waze reported, "Queueing traffic due to drivers queueing for the Eurotunnel on M20 Eastbound before J11A (Channel Tunnel)." This scenario left countless drivers stranded, eager to catch their crossings.
Meanwhile, on the M6, holiday traffic added strain to the already busy northbound lanes. Queues intensified between junctions 29 (M65 at Lostock Hall) and 31 (Preston New Road at Samlesbury) due to the surge of returns. Foggy conditions complicated the traffic flow, creating visibility issues for anxious drivers. A report from Traffic England stated, "Long delays due to holiday traffic on M6 Northbound from J30 M61 to J31 A59 Preston New Road (Samlesbury)." These conditions are expected to persist as throngs of motorists took to the roads.
The M4 also witnessed considerable congestion as holidaymakers returned home. Heavy traffic stretched along the motorway between Reading and Swindon on December 27, partly exacerbated by an accident on the A419 near junction 15. An eyewitness described seeing the aftermath of the crash, saying, "There were no injuries and no arrests were made." Despite this, the incident added to the stop-start flow experienced along the route. The AA noted, "Stop-start traffic due to holiday traffic on M4 Eastbound after J15 A419 Marlborough Road (Swindon East)." Drivers experienced significant delays, with National Highways reporting around 20 minutes of extra travel time on the M4.
To compound the travel woes, the M5 reported severe delays as well, particularly related to long-term roadworks and contraflow systems. Drivers faced wait times exceeding 45 minutes on this route due to these conditions. A spokesperson for National Highways advised, "Delays of 45+ minutes above normal travel times on the M5 in Devon. Please allow extra time for your journeys. Thank you for your patience." These warnings came as traffic forecasts predicted surges exceeding 30 million journeys over the holiday period.
Adding to the congestion challenges, Cuvva, a road insurance firm, anticipated the heaviest traffic on Boxing Day and December 27, signifying the peak of holiday travel. "Big sales impacting road transport were expected," noted its spokesperson, emphasizing how shopping trends influence travel patterns, framing these dates as some of the busiest on the roads.
Overall, the post-Christmas period presented extensive delays and challenging conditions on the UK’s motorways, as many eager to return home faced obstacles ranging from accidents to poor weather. It’s wise for future travelers to keep alternative routes on their radar and plan for downtime on the roads.
For those still on the road or planning to set off, vigilance is advised. Ensure you check traffic updates frequently. KentLive and other news outlets will continue to provide live updates on conditions, so staying informed can help ease any potential travel stress.
