DRIVERS are warned to leave as early as possible as the expected August Bank Holiday hits this afternoon.

Motorists are advised, if possible, to now go after 7pm to miss the major traffic jams.

The RAC estimates 16.7 million leisure trips are planned between today and Monday, a mix of people returning from summer holidays, going on for a last minute break or a day trip.

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s been an incredibly busy summer on the UK’s roads with vast numbers of people on the move both for staycation holidays and for day trips to the sea and countryside.

“Our figures suggest this is a trend that will continue, with bumper-to-bumper bank holiday traffic expected, especially on the most popular holiday routes.

“While this weekend will see many people returning from summer holidays in the UK, the fine and settled weather will also be seen as an opportunity by lots of people to jump in their cars for last-minute trips – after all, this is the last bank holiday weekend in England, Wales and Northern Ireland before Christmas.”

AA president Edmund King said: “Weather is always a big decider on where people spend their bank holiday. However, AA research suggests that local traffic may be heavier this time.

“Covid’s disruption to people’s lives is still noticeable in the 10 per cent fewer long-distance trippers this August.

“The drop in longer trips might be due to the difficulty in booking accommodation away from home due to more families taking their holidays in the UK.”

National Highways, recently rebranded from Highways England, said around 98 per cent of England’s motorways and major A roads will be free of roadworks over the weekend.

On Thursday we reported three miles of queuing between Junction eight, M50, and seven, A44, after an accident.

This comes ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend when many will be heading off on one final getaway before kids return to school next month.

There are as yet no reported incidents on the motorway, for the latest follow worcesternews.co.uk.