As the August bank holiday approaches, the South East is set to experience the most significant traffic surge in nearly a decade, according to the RAC. From Friday, August 23, to Monday, August 26, the RAC forecasts 19.2 million leisure car trips nationwide.
To mitigate congestion, National Highways has removed over 500 miles of roadworks. The Port of Dover anticipates handling more than 20,000 vehicles during the period.
Road Traffic Updates
The RAC predicts peak travel times will occur on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being the most congested day, as 3.7 million leisure journeys are expected. RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson emphasizes the importance of vehicle maintenance to prevent breakdowns and advises early departure to avoid traffic delays.
Travel analytics firm Inrix forecasts the heaviest traffic on Friday between 10:00 and 18:00 BST and on Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 BST. National Highways’ Dale Hipkiss notes that nearly 97% of the road network will be free from roadworks over the weekend. However, Operation Brock will remain in effect on the M20, managing lorry queues heading to Dover with a contraflow system.
Rail Travel Recommendations
Southeastern Railway is encouraging travelers to use train services instead of driving. It will provide full service across most of its network, including additional trains between Cannon Street and Ramsgate. Passengers can also expect extra carriages on busy routes to London, Kent, and Hastings.
Southeastern’s head of service delivery, Julian Moosai, highlights rail travel as an eco-friendly option and emphasizes the convenience of extra services for avoiding road congestion. Note that Denmark Hill services will be suspended, with alternatives routed through Cannon Street or Herne Hill. On Sunday, August 25, some early services between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks will be replaced by buses. South Western Railway has no planned engineering work, but travelers should verify service status before departure. Southern Railway will not operate its usual trains from Crystal Palace to London Bridge over the weekend.
Sea Travel Advisory
The Port of Dover expects high traffic, with more than 20,000 vehicles anticipated. Peak travel times are expected between 06:00 and 13:00 from Friday to Sunday. Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister advises travelers to adhere to the two-hour advance arrival recommendation, similar to airport procedures, due to ongoing preparations for the EU’s new Entry/Exit system launching in November. Travelers might experience longer waits in pre-border processing areas.
The port will also handle around 9,000 vehicles returning to the UK after summer vacations.
Airport Travel Tips
Gatwick Airport is gearing up for its busiest travel season since 2019. Passengers are advised to plan their journey to the airport carefully, check for roadworks, and consider booking parking in advance to ensure a smooth travel experience.