London holidaymakers planning a late-August getaway have been warned they face road, rail and flight disruption as the summer holidays near an end.
Roads are expected to be the busiest since 2015 as Britons make the most of the bank holiday weekend and thousands of revellers head to the Leeds and Reading music festivals.
Almost 20million leisure journeys are expected to be taken by car over the weekend, according to the RAC, who warned drivers to “expect lengthy queues”.
Saturday is set to be the busiest day on the roads with 3.7million getaways planned, ahead of the six million planned each day over the rest of the weekend.
More than six million last-minute day trips are also expected to be taken, according to the RAC’s research.
Meanwhile road closures are expected for works, including on the M25, the M3 and the A3 connecting London. Sections of the M25 are undergoing major construction, such as the Wisley interchange. The RAC said: “The usual trusted advice applies: leave as early as you can to avoid the jams or be prepared to sit in some lengthy queues.”
It comes as those heading abroad on flights or taking trains across the country faced their trips back being disrupted by ongoing strikes.
Border Force staff at Heathrow are set to walk out again at the end of the month. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has said members who work in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 will take industrial action from August 31 until September 3 in a continuing dispute over contracts and working hours.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said the strike is likely to “cause serious disruption to travellers using Heathrow at the end of the summer”, when tens of thousands of passengers will be going through the airport every day.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We appreciate the tireless work that Border Force do to keep our borders safe and secure, and we are committed to continuing our conversations with the union so we can find an agreement that works for both the public and staff.
“We will have robust plans in place to minimise disruption, but urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before they travel.”
Train drivers working for LNER, which runs major routes such as London to Edinburgh, have threatened fresh strike action despite a recent pay rise offer from the Government.
Their union ASLEF announced members employed by LNER would strike every weekend from the end of August to mid-November in a dispute over conditions and management behaviour.
Those staying in London over the bank holiday can enjoy the Notting Hill Carnival, plus the last weekend of All Points East Festival in Victoria Park.
But TfL has warned of closures on the Piccadilly line and reduced service on the DLR and London Overground over the bank holiday, plus the Tube and bus network being busier than usual.
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