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Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major motorway closed with drivers left stranded after crash as bank holiday motorists face huge delays
Authorities are still determining how the crash occured TRAVEL CHAOS Major motorway closed with drivers left stranded after crash as bank holiday motorists face huge delays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Traffic on the M1 has been forced to stop after a collision between two major junctions. The crash has disrupted all northbound journeys, while emergency services assess the scene. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The huge queues have forced some drivers to step out of their cars Credit: Supplied The accident has taken place between Junction 12 (Flitwick) and Junction 13 (Bedford). National Highways East have released an urgent message to drivers while work is done to clear the road. The post reads: "Please be patient while emergency services assess the incident, we'll try and get you moving again soon." Drivers have also been warned to expect delays. The accident comes on one of the busiest days to travel in the UK, as 17 million Brits hit the road on the bank holiday weekend. Friday was projected to be the busiest day, with a staggering 3 million journeys. However, Saturday was close behind with 2.9 million drivers expected to be on Britain's motorways. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'Although the Easter break was just two weeks ago, our figures suggest this weekend will still be hectic on the roads as millions take advantage of another bank holiday. 'This week's very warm weather may not last right into the weekend, but with lots of daylight hours, there's still plenty of opportunity to get out and about. 'For drivers that have a choice, it's best to avoid Friday evening as that's when leisure traffic will clash with commuter journeys.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- The Sun
Major motorway to close TONIGHT sparking chaos for thousands of drivers getting away for Bank Holiday weekend
A MAJOR motorway is set to close tonight with Brits warned to check their route ahead of the long weekend. Those inspired by the good weather to head out this weekend should be aware of the disruption they may face while travelling. 1 Overnight closures have been announced on the M54 this weekend, with diversions in place but heavier traffic expected. The M54 Eastbound will close tonight, Friday evening to Saturday morning: Between 9pm to 6am Junction 1 to the M6 Junction 10a carriageway Between 8pm to 6am Junction 5 to Junction 4 carriageway Fully signed diversions should be in place via Castle Farm Way, A5 Watling Street, A449 Stafford Road, and A41 Newport Road, according to National Highways. This comes as part of eight weeks of closures which began at the end of February to allow for the resurfacing of the M54 between junctions 2 and 4. National Highways said: "We'll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. "We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes." There will also be closures during the weekend on a number of other motorways, details of which you can find here It comes after the bank holiday weekend kicked off with the warmest start to May on record. Motoring services company RAC has revealed that the May Day weekend is still set to produce more traffic than 2024 – with over 17 million getaway trips by car planned. 'Hundreds' of drivers abandon their cars to play football on closed UK motorway The experts estimate the busiest day will be Friday, with as many as three million journeys expected. Saturday could see 2.9million, and 2.8million are predicted on the Monday. Meanwhile the least amount of travel is due on Sunday with just 2.4million trips. The M54 Eastbound will close tonight, Friday evening to Saturday morning Between 9pm to 6am Junction 1 to the M6 Junction 10a carriageway Between 8pm to 6am Junction 5 to Junction 4 carriageway RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'Although the Easter break was just two weeks ago, our figures suggest this weekend will still be hectic on the roads as millions take advantage of another bank holiday. 'This week's very warm weather may not last right into the weekend, but with lots of daylight hours, there's still plenty of opportunity to get out and about. 'For drivers that have a choice, it's best to avoid Friday evening as that's when leisure traffic will clash with commuter journeys. 'It takes just minutes to check that a vehicle's oil, coolant and screenwash are all at the right levels before your trip, and it's equally important to ensure all tyres are damage-free, have plenty of tread and are inflated properly. 'Anyone towing a caravan or trailer should check over these tyres as well.'
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Worst time to drive this May bank holiday weekend as over 17MILLION to hit roads for summer getaways
MOTORISTS have been warned of the worst time to drive this May bank holiday. As more than 17million Brits are expected to hit the road for the long weekend it's important to know the best routes. 1 RAC experts estimate the busiest day will be Friday, with as many as three million journeys expected. Saturday could see 2.9million, and 2.8million are predicted on the Monday. Meanwhile the least amount of travel is due on Sunday with just 2.4million trips. The volume of traffic has increased from last year, with around one million more drivers expected behind the wheel. Motorists have been warned by transport analytics specialists INRIX, that roads will be most congested on Friday. The worst of the jams are likely later in the afternoon and into Friday evening. The M25 clockwise from the South Mimms interchange to Essex could be hit by delays of 40 minutes from 4pm. Elsewhere, the M5 southbound is expected to see similar queues from 7pm between the J15 Almondsbury interchange at Bristol and J23 for Bridgwater. Drivers have been advised to start their journeys before 10am on Friday. On Saturday through to Monday expects recon setting off before 11am or after 3pm is most efficient. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'Although the Easter break was just two weeks ago, our figures suggest this weekend will still be hectic on the roads as millions take advantage of another bank holiday. "This week's very warm weather may not last right into the weekend, but with lots of daylight hours there's still plenty of opportunity to get out and about. "For drivers that have a choice, it's best to avoid Friday evening as that's when leisure traffic will clash with commuter journeys. 'Careful preparation is crucial to reduce the chance of a breakdown. It takes just minutes to check that a vehicle's oil, coolant and screenwash are all at the right levels before your trip, and it's equally important to ensure all tyres are damage-free, have plenty of tread and are inflated properly. "Anyone towing a caravan or trailer should check over these tyres as well. 'If you face a flat battery or a problem with your brakes on your staycation, there's no need to waste precious minutes of your holiday looking for a local garage. "An RAC Mobile Mechanic can be booked to repair your vehicle on the driveway of your accommodation, completing any fixes you might need and any diagnostic checks.' Drivers have also been warned they face three major motorway closures across the bank holiday. Overnight closures are expected on the M25, M3 and M4 this week. The list is as follows: Friday closures from 11pm until 6am M25 Anti-clockwise Jct 16 to M40 southbound link road closures M25 Clockwise Jct 16 to M40 Southbound link road closure M25 Clockwise Jct 14 to Jct 15 Carriageway closure (*closed until 5am the following day) M25 anti clockwise Jct 21A to Jct 21 carraigeway closure M25 anti clockwise Jct 21A entry slip road closure M25 anti clockwise link road closure to M1 northbound M25 Anti-Clockwise Jct 25 to Jct 23 carriageway closure M25 Clockwise Jct 5 exit slip road closures M25 Clockwise Jct 19 Exit Slip Road closure M25 Anti-Clockwise Jct 9 entry Slip road closure M25 anticlockwise Jct 12 exit slip road closure M25 Clockwise Jct 22 to Jct 23 carriageway closure M3 northbound Jct 4 to Jct 3 carriageway closure M4 westbound Jct 1 to Jct 3 carriageway Closure M4 Eastbound Jct 3 to Jct 1 Carriageway Closure M4 eastbound Jct 23 to 22 Prince of Wales Bridge carriageway closure Saturday M3 southbound to M27 eastbound link road closure (closed from 9pm until 6am) M4 westbound Jct 10 exit slip road closure (closed from 9pm until 6am) M4 eastbound Jct 3 to Jct 1 carriageway closure (closed from 10pm until 6am) Sunday closures from 10.30pm until 5.30am M25 Clockwise Jct 2 entry slip road closure M4 eastbound Jct 3 to Jct 1 carriageway closure Monday M25 clockwise Jct 12 to M3 Eastbound Jct 2 link road closure (10pm until 5.30am) M25 Westbound Terminal 5 to M25 anticlockwise Jct 14 link road closure (10pm until 5am) M3 southbound Jct 3 to Jct 4 carriageway closure (9pm until 6am) M4 Eastbound Jct 3 to Jct 1 Carriageway Closure (10pm until 5am) Meanwhile, the bank holiday weather forecast has also been revealed. Thousands of sunseekers packed out parks and beaches to bask in highs of 26C today. And temperatures are set to soar even more when the mercury hits 29C in parts tomorrow. However figures are expected to dip slightly over the weekend, with rain to hit on Friday. Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: 'There are some showers about on Friday thanks to a weather front moving in. There are still some uncertainties about its position at present, so do keep up to date with Met Office forecasts for the very latest. 'It's likely the high pressure we are enjoying this week will drift further northwest this weekend, allowing cooler air to drift southwards slowly. "It will therefore be a different feel across the weekend, with a bit more cloud around and cooler temperatures than of late, back towards average for the time of year, with one or two showers possible across the weekend.'
Sky News
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News
M25 closure: What you need to know as motorway to close in both directions
Drivers are set to face significant delays as a section of the M25 shuts in both directions this weekend - with more disruption coming later this month. The closures are part of a £317m improvement project for junction 10 in Surrey - one of the UK's busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions. Diversion routes have been set up, but drivers have been told to only travel if necessary, with lengthy delays expected. British Airways has warned those heading to Gatwick or Heathrow to leave plenty of extra time for their journeys. There was a two mile-long traffic jam when the motorway's first-ever planned daytime closure began in March last year along the same route - but many drivers followed advice to steer clear of the area for most of the weekend, meaning long hold-ups were widely avoided. Here is everything you need to know about the latest closures. When and where is the closure this weekend? It is the five-mile stretch from junction 10 (Wisley) to 11 (A320 Chertsey) and will last from 9pm on Friday 7 March before reopening by 6am on Monday 10 March. What is the diversion route? If you are travelling clockwise from junction 10 to 11, you'll be diverted from the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 northbound. At Painshill, take the A245, then the A320 rejoin the M25 at junction 11. For those going anticlockwise from junction 11 to 10, you'll be diverted from the M25 at junction 11 to join the A320 southound, then take the A245 to Painshill. At Painshill, take the A3 southbound to rejoin the M25 at junction 10. Here is a map showing the diversion route: National Highways suggests avoiding the closure by taking the M25 via the Dartford Crossing may also be quicker. Satnav suggestions and ULEZ zones Last time this stretch was closed, National Highways advised drivers to make sure they followed the diversion route, which sticks to A roads, and ignore their satnavs if they start suggesting minor roads. It said going onto minor roads could cause more congestion in residential areas. The diversion route does not go through any part of the ULEZ area, meaning drivers whose vehicles are not ULEZ compliant don't have to worry about paying a fee. What other closures are planned? Junctions 10 and 11 will be closed again from 9pm on Friday 21 March to 6am on Monday 24 March. National Highways says the diversion route will be the same. Then the A3 will be closed in both directions between Junction 10 and Painshill Roundabout/A245 from 9pm on Friday 11 April to 6am on Monday 14 April. Travel advice for closure days National Highways has warned that all closures can change at short notice, advising drivers to check its daily closures page before travelling. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: "Without careful planning, drivers could face some really lengthy tailbacks during the eight days of M25 closures. "Friday 21 March coincides with England's World Cup qualifying match against Albania at Wembley, meaning diversion routes are likely to be even more congested than usual." Ms Simpson continued: "We'd advise setting off very early, especially if heading to the venue from Sussex and Kent. Public transport will also be extremely busy. "Those that do decide to drive on either weekend should prepare to spend much longer on the roads and make sure they have plenty of fuel or charge for their trips. "It's also important to do some vehicle checks to avoid a breakdown: ensure tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure, and that oil and coolant are at the right levels." What's all this for? The March closures are for bridge demolition, but overall they are part of the government-owned National Highways' £317m rejuvenation project for junction 10. It is one of the UK's busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions, with more than 300,000 vehicles passing through every day. The three-year project, which is due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes at Junction 10 by four. National Highways says the scheme also includes new and safer routes for cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders, a larger roundabout with extra lanes to increase capacity and improvements to the local environment and wildlife. It adds that all of the changes will "will reduce congestion, create a smoother flow of traffic and provide safer journeys for thousands every day".
