Train strikes and traffic jams: UK travellers face delays in coming days

As the early May weather takes a rainy turn, the start of the bank holiday getaway in Britain promises to be a challenging one for travelers, both on roads and railways. Traffic jams are anticipated as people hit the roads for a long weekend escape, with the journey to the southwest from London likely to experience the longest delays.

The RAC predicts approximately 16 million additional leisure trips by car over the extended weekend, surpassing the usual figures for the first May bank holiday. However, despite the influx of travelers, road congestion is expected to be somewhat less severe compared to the Easter holiday period.

Rail travelers face their own set of challenges, with significant disruption planned on the west coast mainline due to partial closures over the weekend. London Euston will see no trains operating on Sunday, and a reduced service will be in place for the rest of the weekend. Additionally, closures near Coventry, Crewe, and Carlisle will necessitate replacement buses or alternate routes for passengers, particularly those traveling to Scotland.

Disruptions are also anticipated in Cambridge and Liverpool over the weekend, with Network Rail carrying out 487 separate projects as part of a £75 million program. Passengers are advised to check for updates before traveling, as efforts are made to minimize disruptions and maintain normal service where possible.

Meanwhile, the bank holiday Monday marks the beginning of another week of industrial action by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union. An overtime ban will be in effect nationwide until the following Saturday, with 24-hour strikes planned across England’s national train operators over three days starting Tuesday. These actions will significantly impact rail services, particularly in the south, Midlands, and north of England, with cross-border services to Wales and Scotland also affected.

Despite the challenges on the domestic front, there has been an uptick in people opting to travel abroad this weekend, making Friday the busiest day of the year so far for air travel from the UK. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports a notable increase in scheduled departures, with approximately 10% more flights over the long weekend compared to the same period in 2023.