Eggstra Traffic Means Roads Will be Chocca at Easter
CRANFIELD, England, April 10 -- Trafficmaster PLC (LSE: TFC), a leading supplier of real-time traffic information, intelligent vehicle tracking and navigation solutions, and traffic and travel experts RAC predict journey times on main holiday routes could increase by 100%, whilst commuter routes could increase by 50% in the build up to the Easter holiday.
Maundy Thursday, which falls on the 13th April, will be the worst day. Traffic will build up from 1.00pm onwards when people will be leaving work early. Later on in the afternoon commuter traffic will mix with holidaymakers, and delays could add on an extra 40 minutes to journey times on roads out of city centres and on main motorway links.
Traditionally one of the worst traffic hotspots is on the M1 Northbound around junctions 7, 8, 9, and 10. On average over 160,000 vehicles use this stretch of road a day, and with the long term road works between junctions 6a and junction 10 combined with the Bank Holiday traffic, drivers could experience severe delays.
Trafficmaster collates live traffic flow data through its network of 7,500 roadside sensors. This information is enhanced with incident information, including road works, from the RAC. Using historical traffic data, Trafficmaster and RAC predict that the following roads will also suffer from heavy congestion:
South and South East
- M25 - especially junctions 20, 21, 16, and 15
- M4 westbound from London
- M3/M27 interchange area (M3 junctions 10 -14 and M27 junctions 3 - 5)
West
- M5 southbound from Bristol
East
- A1 and A1M northbound - junctions 3, 4 and 7
- M11 - especially around junctions 7, 8, 13 and 14
- A14 east and westbound especially around Cambridge and Huntingdon
Midlands
- M1 around junctions 21 to 26
- M6 - especially around junctions 4, 11 and 12
- M42 in both directions
- M6 north of Birmingham - Toll road should alleviate some of the problems, however it will be heavily used by motorists trying to avoid traffic on the M6 and bottlenecks appear where the M6 and M6 toll merge
North
- Motorways around Manchester
- M62 both directions around Leeds
Scotland
- A720 around Edinburgh
- M8 in and out of Edinburgh
- M8 through Glasgow
- M80 to and from Glasgow
Once Maundy Thursday is over, other days to watch out for over the Easter break are:
- Monday 17th April in the evening in England and Wales. Traffic will build up from around 6.00pm to 10.00pm as people make their way home after the Bank Holiday.
- Sunday 23rd April in the evening. In some areas, people will be returning from the extended Easter holiday
RAC recommends the following advice to help motorists make the most of the Easter break:
- If taking to the road, plan your route and have an alternative at the ready in case of delays. Check local radio stations or travel services at www.rac.co.uk
- If it's safe and legal to do so, call 1740 from your mobile for up to the minute traffic information
- Accidents and breakdowns can bring traffic to a standstill so make sure you keep your speed down and keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front
- A quick check of oil and water levels before setting off and checking the condition and pressure of the tyres while stopping at petrol stations could help to prevent a breakdown
- Make sure you have enough fuel for your journey, be aware that the stop/start conditions of sitting in traffic james uses more fuel
- Lock outs can also a problem at this time of year. Get into the habit of unlocking a vehicle first then opening the boot to avoid accientally locking the keys in
For further information in your region or to broadcast from Trafficmaster's Control Centre in Bedfordshire, please contact Georgina Osborn on telephone 01234 759 315 or email: georgina.osborn@trafficmaster.co.uk
About Trafficmaster
Founded in 1988, Trafficmaster Plc is a leading supplier of real-time traffic information, intelligent vehicle tracking and navigation solutions. Its headquarters are based in Cranfield and it also has operations in North America, under the Teletrac brand. Trafficmaster provides advanced satellite navigation, vehicle tracking and diagnostics, fleet management solutions and real-time traffic information.
Trafficmaster's traffic information is derived from its unique state-of-the-art network of nationwide static roadside sensors and transmitters that gather and distribute traffic data from over 8,000 miles of motorway and trunk routes. Traffic data is then delivered to the customer through a number of screen or speech-based receivers. These include a variety of in-car products and services that include Smartnav, Trafficmaster Monitor, YQsquared, Oracle and Freeway units. Trafficmaster also provides a Radio Data System Traffic Message Channel service that supplies traffic data to satellite navigation systems. Traffic information can also be obtained by phoning the 1740 service, which is run in partnership with the RAC and the UK's main mobile phone operators.
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
Aviva bought RAC last year. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14 per cent.
For more information please visit www.trafficmaster.co.uk or contact: Georgina Osborn, email: georgina.osborn@trafficmaster.co.uk / telephone +44-(0)-1234-759315. RAC Press office contact: Adam Cracknell or Jenny Chapman at RAC Press Office on +44-(0)1603-684916 or +44-(0)1603-684224
