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Millions to escape rainy Britain Jams as holiday getaway under way
(about 2 hours later)
A record two million people are expected to flee rainy Britain and head for foreign hot spots during this year's August Bank Holiday weekend. Traffic jams have greeted the start of the August Bank Holiday weekend as millions of Britons began short breaks.
The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said 920,000 would fly from London, 160,000 from Manchester and 70,000 from Birmingham. A record two million people are expected to flee the rain and head for foreign hot spots.
Rail travellers will have to contend with engineering works, with the West Coast Main Line worst affected. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said 920,000 were due to fly from London, 160,000 from Manchester and 70,000 from Birmingham.
But the AA said high fuel prices should mean quieter roads. Airports coped with the influx of extra passengers - but, the Highways Agency said, traffic built up through the day.
Meanwhile, engineering works are affecting this weekend's rail services. The West Coast Main Line is worst hit.
The AA had predicted that high fuel prices would mean quieter roads than in previous years.
Main routes were initially quiet before a mid-morning build up of traffic, according to the Highways Agency.
It said there had been jams on the M25 in Hertfordshire and in Surrey, as well as hold-ups on the M1/M6 junction in the Midlands and on the A1 in south Yorkshire.
Spokeswoman Kelly Logan said: "We had a fairly quite start to the day on the roads, but it started picking up around lunchtime."
There is no bank holiday in Scotland, but record numbers of people from across the UK are planning to travel abroad this August Bank Holiday.There is no bank holiday in Scotland, but record numbers of people from across the UK are planning to travel abroad this August Bank Holiday.
For those escaping, Mediterranean resorts in the Balearic Islands, mainland Spain and the Greek islands remain the summer holiday favourites, followed by Turkey, Cyprus and Portugal, Abta said.For those escaping, Mediterranean resorts in the Balearic Islands, mainland Spain and the Greek islands remain the summer holiday favourites, followed by Turkey, Cyprus and Portugal, Abta said.
City breaks have sold well, with New York, Amsterdam, Dublin and Rome leading the way. Abta president Justin Fleming said: "The August Bank Holiday is our traditional goodbye to the summer and is always very busy.City breaks have sold well, with New York, Amsterdam, Dublin and Rome leading the way. Abta president Justin Fleming said: "The August Bank Holiday is our traditional goodbye to the summer and is always very busy.
Festival hot spotsFestival hot spots
"This year is no exception with large numbers escaping to guaranteed sunshine, sandy beaches and warm seas.""This year is no exception with large numbers escaping to guaranteed sunshine, sandy beaches and warm seas."
During the bank holiday period, 420,000 are expected to leave from Heathrow, 260,000 from Gatwick, 160,000 from Stansted and 80,000 from Luton, Abta said.During the bank holiday period, 420,000 are expected to leave from Heathrow, 260,000 from Gatwick, 160,000 from Stansted and 80,000 from Luton, Abta said.
In addition 85,000 are expected to use the Channel Tunnel high-speed Eurostar train service for trips to the continent, it said.In addition 85,000 are expected to use the Channel Tunnel high-speed Eurostar train service for trips to the continent, it said.
Meanwhile, flights at Stansted Airport face disruption on Monday when 30 members of the GMB union - who operate luggage scanning equipment - are due to walk out for 24 hours in a row over pay.Meanwhile, flights at Stansted Airport face disruption on Monday when 30 members of the GMB union - who operate luggage scanning equipment - are due to walk out for 24 hours in a row over pay.
THIS WEEKEND'S CONGESTION HOT SPOTS M5 Junctions 15 to 21M6 Junctions 21 to 32M25 around LondonM1 northboundA303 between Stonehenge and Somerset Source: AA RoadwatchTHIS WEEKEND'S CONGESTION HOT SPOTS M5 Junctions 15 to 21M6 Junctions 21 to 32M25 around LondonM1 northboundA303 between Stonehenge and Somerset Source: AA Roadwatch
On the roads, the AA said the rising cost of fuel would lead to less traffic.On the roads, the AA said the rising cost of fuel would lead to less traffic.
It said many people would ditch the weekend break in favour of day trips.It said many people would ditch the weekend break in favour of day trips.
About 16.5 million people are expected to take to the roads, compared with an average of 18 million for the August Bank Holiday.About 16.5 million people are expected to take to the roads, compared with an average of 18 million for the August Bank Holiday.
But AA spokesman Peter Barnao said: "There will still be no escaping the localised congestion around big attractions such as theme parks and events.But AA spokesman Peter Barnao said: "There will still be no escaping the localised congestion around big attractions such as theme parks and events.
"The festivals around the UK will be some of the spots that lead to delays.""The festivals around the UK will be some of the spots that lead to delays."
Events this weekend include the Leeds and Reading rock festivals, Creamfields dance weekend in Cheshire, Liverpool's Beatles-themed Mathew Street festival and London's Notting Hill Carnival.Events this weekend include the Leeds and Reading rock festivals, Creamfields dance weekend in Cheshire, Liverpool's Beatles-themed Mathew Street festival and London's Notting Hill Carnival.
Thousands of engineersThousands of engineers
Congestion hot spots are likely to include junctions 15 to 21 of the M5 and junctions 21 to 32 of the M6, with the northbound M1 and A303 near Stonehenge also busy.Congestion hot spots are likely to include junctions 15 to 21 of the M5 and junctions 21 to 32 of the M6, with the northbound M1 and A303 near Stonehenge also busy.
The M1 will also be closed between junctions 32 and 35 in Yorkshire for most of Sunday to allow the Tinsley cooling towers to be demolished.
Rail travellers will endure longer journey times caused by improvement works.Rail travellers will endure longer journey times caused by improvement works.
More than 4,000 engineers will be working at seven major locations covering about 130 miles of the London-to-Scotland West Coast Main Line.More than 4,000 engineers will be working at seven major locations covering about 130 miles of the London-to-Scotland West Coast Main Line.
Virgin Trains services are likely to be worst hit, with major works at Stoke, Rugby, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes.Virgin Trains services are likely to be worst hit, with major works at Stoke, Rugby, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes.
BBC Weather Centre forecaster Dan Corbett said despite possible showers on Sunday over England, Scotland and Wales, the outlook for the bank holiday was generally "pretty decent".BBC Weather Centre forecaster Dan Corbett said despite possible showers on Sunday over England, Scotland and Wales, the outlook for the bank holiday was generally "pretty decent".
Mixed forecastMixed forecast
He said Saturday would start mainly dry and bright, with rain spreading to the western half of the UK by the end of the day.He said Saturday would start mainly dry and bright, with rain spreading to the western half of the UK by the end of the day.
The Met Office has played down reports that Britain is heading for its wettest August for nearly 100 years, saying it was unrealistic.The Met Office has played down reports that Britain is heading for its wettest August for nearly 100 years, saying it was unrealistic.
Forecaster Dave Britton said rainfall was not close to record levels in England, Wales, Scotland and the UK as a whole.Forecaster Dave Britton said rainfall was not close to record levels in England, Wales, Scotland and the UK as a whole.
But in Northern Ireland it was a different story. Almost double the average monthly rainfall has fallen so far and the month is well on its way to becoming the wettest on record, he added.But in Northern Ireland it was a different story. Almost double the average monthly rainfall has fallen so far and the month is well on its way to becoming the wettest on record, he added.