DON’T BE A FOOL AND GET STUCK IN A JAM

Trafficmaster reminds drivers to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck in The Easter Holiday Rush on Maundy Thursday, 21st April.

With the Easter holiday 2011 predicted to be the busiest in years, roads tomorrow are likely to be heavily congested with journey times increasing threefold. Many families will take advantage of the first major holiday break of the year, heading away on the roads for either the weekend or a full weeks break. The main “getaway” for the holiday period will occur on Maundy Thursday, 21st April. There will also be significant holiday traffic movement on Good Friday and Saturday, 23rd April. It is anticipated that over 20 million vehicles will be on the move over these three days. It is expected that roads to and from airports, the Channel Tunnel and Channel coastal ports will be busy with travellers taking the break abroad. With fine weather forecast at home for the Easter weekend, it is expected that day trippers to coastal resorts over the weekend, may add to those taking longer breaks. The worst traffic congestion is expected, on the following roads: - To & from West of England: M5 along most of its length, and especially between Junctions 15 (M4 interchange) and 31 (Exeter). A303 through Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and into Devon. A30 and A38 through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. A39 within North Cornwall. Also M4 from the London area to & from Bristol (J19) and the South West (J20). - To & from Hampshire & Dorset coast: M3 along most of its length, and especially south of Winchester. M27 along most of its length and A31 between M27/J1, Ringwood and Dorchester. A3 through Hindhead - To & from South Coast: A21 through Sussex. - To & from Channel Tunnel and Channel coast ports: M20, A20 and A2 to and from Eurotunnel, Folkestone and Dover will be exceptionally busy. - To & from East Anglia & East coast: A11 around Elveden and Thetford, and A47 between East Midlands and Norfolk coast. M11 to & from Stansted Airport. A12 to and from East Coast. - In the Home Counties: M25 along its Western, Northern and North-Eastern sectors, and especially around Heathrow Airport and through roadworks between Junctions 27 and 29. M1 between Junction 6A and Junction 14, especially through roadworks between Junction 10 and 14. - To & from North East: M1 between East Midlands (J21) and South Yorkshire (J32), A1 and A1M through West and North Yorkshire, and A64 to Scarborough. - To & from North West: M6 between West Midlands (J11), Lancashire and Lake District (J36). - To & from North Wales: M56 and A55 between Manchester, Chester and along the North Wales coast. - Within Scotland: M90, A90 and Forth Road Bridge between Edinburgh, Fife and Tayside. A9 between Perth and Inverness, A82 between Glasgow, Trossachs and Highlands. For the latest traffic and travel update: Call 0906 470 1740 from your landline, or 1740 from your mobile before you travel or during your journey for Live Traffic Reports. Alternatively for more information about Trafficmaster’s other services and a live view of traffic on the roads go to www.trafficmaster.co.uk.