INRIX uses analytics to gauge Easter weekend traffic in the UK
Photo Credit To Hillman54

INRIX uses analytics to gauge Easter weekend traffic in the UK

INRIX uses analytics to gauge Easter weekend traffic in the UK

Traffic Peak to Reach 28.4% Above Average at 5pm on Maundy Thursday, up 30% on Last Year

According to INRIX, the global leader in connected car services and transportation analytics, this year’s Easter period will see more than 20 million cars hit the UK’s roads, with traffic forecasts for Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday showing a 20% increase in the average number of cars being driven. With peaks set to reach 28.4% above average traffic levels at 5pm, up 30% on last year, Maundy Thursday will be the busiest getaway day this Easter bank holiday, with drivers setting off early for the long weekend.

INRIX is a global leader in transportation analytics, a new approach that leverages big data and the cloud to help manage urban mobility. By aggregating a variety of sources and applying intelligence, INRIX delivers comprehensive data and solutions to help move people, cities and businesses forward.

Table 1: Volume increase/decrease of vehicles on UK roads over the Easter period

Day Percentage increase/decrease (number of vehicles)
Maundy Thursday 20% increase
Good Friday 15% increase
Easter Saturday 10% increase
Easter Sunday 25% decrease
Easter Monday 20% increase

The worst affected roads on Maundy Thursday will be the major motorways, with some journeys taking as much as three times longer than on an average Thursday evening. Drivers between junctions 9 and 21 on the M25 (both ways) should expect delays of up to 1 hour and 30 minutes, extending a typical journey from 40 minutes to over two hours, with the average speed falling to 17 miles per hour.

Drivers heading in both directions on the M6 and southbound on the M5 towards the West Country on Maundy Thursday should be prepared for delays of almost an hour and average speeds of less than 25 miles per hour.

Table 2: Maundy Thursday, 13th April – UK’s most delayed routes, average journey times and suggested alternative routes

Maundy Thursday
Route Dist. (Miles) Travel Time Delay Av. Speed (mph) Normal travel time Worst Time Alternative Routes
M25 between J9 and J21 (both directions) 39 2h 10m 90 mins 17 40 min 3:30-5:30PM Non-M’way routes
M6 between J16 and J22 (both directions) 30 1h 20m 50 mins 22 30 min 3:00-5:00PM A34/A50
M5 Southbound between J14 and Weston-super-Mare 29 1h 15m 45 mins 23 30 min 3:30-5:00PM A-roads around Bristol
M4 Westbound between J2 and J13 48 1h 35m 45 mins 30 50 min 3:30-5:30PM M3/A329M
M25 A/C between J4 and Dartford Tunnel 10 0h 55m 40 mins 11 15 min 4:00-5:30PM A2 / Blackwall Tunnel
M8 Eastbound between J16 and J8 7 0h 40m 30 mins 11 10 min 3:00-5:00PM M74/M73
A34 Northbound between Abingdon and M40 18 0h 50m 30 mins 22 20 min 3:30-5:00PM A419 & A429
M60/M62 between J8 Carrington and J20 Rochdale 17 0h 50m 30 mins 20 20 min 4:30-6:00PM M60/A627M
A303 Andover to Amesbury Westbound 12 0h 45m 30 mins 16 15 min 3:30-5:00PM A36 and A338
M74 between J4 and J5 Southbound 3 0h 25m 20 mins 7 5 min 3:00-4:30PM A724/A725
M3 between J2 and J8 Southbound 36 0h 55m 20 mins 39 35 min 4:30-6:00PM A30
M1 between J6 and J12 Northbound 18 0h 40m 20 mins 27 20 min 3:00-5:00PM A1M
A55 Westbound between Chester and Conwy 40 1h 00m 20 mins 40 40 min 3:00-4:30PM None
A1 Southbound between Gosforth Park and Chester-le-Street 15 0h 35m 20 mins 26 15 min 3:30-5:00PM A19 Tyne Tunnel

Those driving on Maundy Thursday are advised by INRIX against using major roads between 4pm and 6pm to avoid the worst delays; but those that do need to travel during these times should seek alternative routes, as the shortest distance will not always be the fastest.

With major roads expected to experience peaks of 8% above average traffic levels by 1pm on Good Friday, drivers are advised to avoid roads during 10am and 2pm. Major motorway journeys may take twice as longer than usual; particularly on the M25 between J9 and J21 which will see delays of up to 55 minutes around lunchtime extending journey times from 40 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes.

Table 3: Easter Getaway – best and worst times to travel on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday

Day Best Time to Travel Worst Time to Travel
Maundy Thursday Between 10am and 12pm Between 4pm and 6pm
Good Friday Before 10am and after 2pm Between 10am and 2pm
Easter Monday Before 12pm and after 5pm Between 12pm and 5pm

With many shops expected to be closed, Easter Sunday remains the quietest day for cars on the road, with 25% less vehicles expected compared to an average Sunday.

For those choosing to drive back home on Easter Monday, INRIX advises avoiding travelling between 12pm and 5pm, with journeys expected to take up to twice as long as usual during this period. In particular, the M6 between J22 and J16 Southbound is expected to see delays up to 40 minutes on a route which usually takes 30 minutes on an average Monday afternoon.

Table 4: Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Monday

Good Friday
Route Dist. (Miles) Travel Time Delay Av. Speed (mph) Normal Travel Time Worst Time Alternative Routes
M25 between J9 and J21 (both directions) 39 1h 35m 55 mins 24 40 mins 11:00AM – 1:00PM Non-M’way routes
M6 between J16 and J22 (both directions) 30 1h 10m 40 mins 25 30 mins 11:30AM – 1:30PM A34/A50
M4 Westbound between J2 and J13 48 1h 30m 40 mins 31 50 mins 11:00AM – 12:30PM M3/A329M
M5 Southbound between J14 and Weston-super-Mare 29 1h 05m 35 mins 27 30 mins 12:30PM-2:30PM A-roads around Bristol
M25 A/C between J4 and Dartford Tunnel 10 0h 45m 30 mins 14 15 mins 11:30AM – 1:30PM A2 / Blackwall Tunnel
Saturday
Route Dist. (Miles) Travel Time Delay Av.

Speed (mph)

Normal Travel Time Worst Time Alternative Routes
M25 between J9 and J21 (both directions) 39 1h 25m 45 mins 27 40 min 11:30AM – 1:30PM Non-M’way routes
M5 Southbound between J14 and Weston-super-Mare 29 1h 10m 40 mins 24 30 min 11:30AM – 2:00PM A-roads around Bristol
M4 Westbound between J2 and J13 48 1h 30m 40 mins 32 50 min 11:00AM – 12:30PM M3/A329M
M6 between J16 and J22 (both directions) 30 1h 05m 35 mins 27 30 min 12:00PM-2:00PM A34/A50
M25 A/C between J4 and Dartford Tunnel 10 0h 35m 20 mins 17 15 min 11:30AM – 1:30PM A2 / Blackwall Tunnel
Easter Monday
Route Dist. (Miles) Travel Time Delay Av.

Speed (mph)

Normal Travel Time Worst Time Alternative Routes
M6 between J16 and J22 (Southbound) 30 1h 10m 40 mins 25 30 min 3:30-5:00PM A34/A50
M6 Southbound J37-J34 20 0h 55m 35 mins 22 20 min 2:30-5:00PM A6
A303 Amesbury to Andover Eastbound 12 0h 45m 30 mins 16 15 min 2:30-4:30PM A36/ A338
M25 Dartford Crossing (b/ways) 10 0h 45m 30 mins 14 15 min 2:00-4:00PM A2/A12 & Blackwall Tunnel
M4 Eastbound between J5 and J2 12 0h 30m 15 mins 23 15 min 3:30-5:00PM A4

“With UK drivers spending an average of 30 hours in congestion last year, motorists are no stranger to sitting in traffic.” said Graham Cookson, Chief Economist & Head of Research, INRIX. “We expect significant delays over the Easter period due to a combination of factors, including the regular post-work peak, the start of the school break, people travelling on holiday, railway engineering works and Tube closures. Our advice to drivers is to consider alternative routes or avoid peak times altogether. By checking live traffic data drivers can ensure they reach their destinations in good time.”

Railway Engineering Works and Tube Closures will Impact Traffic Levels

There will be significant disruption on train lines this Easter with major engineering works on services to/from London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, and London Liverpool Street. Train services throughout South East London will be affected and planned closures on major Tube lines, including the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City and Victoria lines, will likely contribute to a higher number of vehicles in and around the capital, especially on major routes like A205. Works between London Liverpool Street and Ingatestone and London Liverpool Street and Wickford will see increased traffic on the A127 and on major routes in and out of the capital such as A12 and A13.

Outside of London, engineering works and amended services will cause traffic delays on major routes between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street, Birkenhead North and Liverpool Central, Bath Spa and Glasgow Central, York and Blackpool North and Church Fenton and Leeds/Selby.

Post source : INRIX

About The Author

Anthony brings a wealth of global experience to his role as Managing Editor of Highways.Today. With an extensive career spanning several decades in the construction industry, Anthony has worked on diverse projects across continents, gaining valuable insights and expertise in highway construction, infrastructure development, and innovative engineering solutions. His international experience equips him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the highways industry.

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