Traffic warning as staycationers urged to plan travel ahead of Bank Holiday getaway

August Bank Holiday staycationers are being warned to plan their travel ahead as millions of drivers are set to hit the roads
REUTERS
Rebecca Speare-Cole27 August 2020

August Bank Holiday staycationers are being warned to plan their travel in advance with millions of drivers set to hit the roads.

It comes after an AA poll found that around 12 million drivers - nearly 40 per cent of UK motorists - are set to take a leisure trip between Friday and Monday.

Many thousands of holidaymakers are expected to visit the counties of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall over the three-day break.

Two police forces are urging tourists to book accommodation and plan their travel ahead of time, saying they expect congested roads and increased demand on all emergency services.

Many thousands of holidaymakers are expected to visit the counties of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall over the three-day break
PA

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew, of Devon and Cornwall Police, urged anyone thinking of travelling to the South West of England to book accommodation before they set off.

“We know that for much of our tourism economy the bank holiday brings opportunity to try and make up for revenue lost during lockdown earlier this year,” he said.

“We are working to support this and hope everyone can enjoy our towns, beaches and moors in a safe and respectable manner.

“Sadly, we have seen tragedy on the coastline, and I want to remind people to respect the water and to use beaches where we have lifeguards.”

Cars queue up as they head down towards the sea front at Bournemouth beach
PA

Devon and Cornwall Police said the latest figures for August show 999 call demand remaining at record levels with a 13 per cent increase in calls compared with the same period in 2019 – averaging almost 1,000 per day and rising to 1,200 during busy days and weekends.

With Storm Ellen and Storm Francis hitting the West Country in recent days, demand for emergency services has eased off but last weekend the force received 2,039 999 calls.

In Dorset, 999 calls are up 6 per cent this month, compared with 2019, and there has been a 15 per cent increase in public order incidents.

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Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “Demand on Dorset Police and all emergency services has been enormous during August.

“However, the levels of ASB and public order offences are entirely unacceptable and cannot go unchallenged.

“Drink-related issues have been particularly prevalent and I would ask our resident communities and visitors to know their limits and act responsibly.

“Covid-19 has not gone away and remains a very real threat in our communities.

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“Face coverings are mandatory on public transport, in takeaways, shops and enclosed public spaces such as museums, galleries and cinemas as well as places of worship.

“We would ask everyone to respect each other and maintain social distancing whenever possible.”

While the proportion of motorists planning a trip is still lower than the previous two August bank holiday weekends, with 42 per cent last year and 45 per cent in 2018, people are still being advised to prepare by the AA.

Ben Sheridan, AA patrol of the year, said: “If you’re planning a long weekend or a day out, preparation is key. It’s a good idea to check traffic conditions on your route and take some time to check the car before you go.”

The car recovery service believes that while many roads will be busy, traffic volumes are likely to be reduced due to events not taking place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Music concerts, festivals and sporting fixtures which normally attract bumper crowds and cause delays on the roads have been cancelled.

Stormy weather in recent days and a mixed forecast for the weekend could also put some people off from embarking on long journeys.