Financial worries and a washout August are forcing people to rethink their Bank Holiday travel plans according to new research from the AA.
Results show that in the lead up to the August Bank Holiday more than half (56 per cent) of motorists polled by the AA admit that they are not going to be travelling at all over the long weekend. And nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of people admit that the increasing cost of petrol is the number one factor affecting their decision to travel.
With fuel costs rising from an average of 96.69p to 126.33p for diesel and from 95.4p to 114.03 for petrol since last year’s August Bank Holiday, it is clear that Britons are beginning to feel the pinch and are cutting back on trips out in the car.
And those that have decided to hit the roads in search of some sunshine are set to keep their journey close to home – with half of motorists (50 per cent) saying they’ll be heading away just for a day-trip rather than the full weekend or longer. This figure has nearly tripled since last year’s August Bank Holiday when only 17% of motorists opted for a day trip.
Despite the change of plans for many this year, the AA predicts that the roads will still be busier than a usual weekend, with Tuesday expected to be the busiest day on the roads as people return to work.
But in true British spirit, those planning to travel over the Bank Holiday weekend seem undeterred by the continuing unsettled weather conditions.
Almost half of motorists (49 per cent) deciding to travel are planning to visit coastal areas – a 20 per cent increase on the 2007 August Bank Holiday figure.
AA Route Planner reveals that Blackpool, Brighton and Bournemouth look to be the popular seaside destinations over the course of the weekend.
“We would always advise drivers to make careful preparations for their journey, whether it be a last minute decision or a planned journey.”
Travel information from the AA for the Bank Holiday:
Congestion Hotspots
M5 Junctions 15 to 21
M6 Junctions 21 to 32
The top busy routes nationally
M25 around London
M1 Northbound
M6 through the West Midlands
M5 Southbound past Bristol
A303 between Stonehenge and Somerset / Devon border
Roadworks: Top 5
M1 both ways – Hertfordshire
M25 both ways – Greater London / Kent
M27 both ways – Hampshire
M4 both ways – Cardiff
M62 Eastbound – Merseyside
