29 April 2022
Two Bank Holiday weekends in quick succession, the rising cost of living and higher than usual pump prices, may well curb Britain’s appetite for travel this weekend according to the AA.
As Britain’s drivers tighten their belts, the UK’s number one motoring organisation is expecting lighter traffic over the May bank holiday than that seen in the recent Easter getaway and pre-pandemic May Day Bank Holiday weekends.
With mild weather predicted, some families may opt for a relatively inexpensive day in a local park area or a day on the coast. For those who can afford to spend a little, the hotspots are likely to be out-of-town shopping centres such as Bluewater in Kent, and Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield. Wherever the destination, AA advice is to check local traffic reports before you travel.
Drivers are also advised to check their vehicle before travelling to help avoid a breakdown. If the worst does happen, the AA’s five-star patrols are on duty all weekend. Try to give yourself peace of mind by having breakdown cover in place before you travel.
If you drive an electric vehicle (EV) make sure you have plenty of charge to reach your destination, accounting for possible traffic delays. You can find your closest charge point using the free AA app.
With a 55-litre tank of petrol costing almost £20 more than last year and the same sized tank of diesel costing over £25 more, download the AA app to find the cheapest fuel in your area.
Sean Sidley, AA patrol of the year, said: “Many drivers will want to put their feet up this weekend following a busy Easter break. Meanwhile, shoppers and DIYers look set to battle it out as they plan to raid homeware stores, shopping malls and garden centres.
“With half term just a few weeks away, families are holding back this weekend while planning their getaways booked towards the end of May. As a result, we could see some localised congestion at popular destinations.
Commenting on fuel prices, Luke Bosdet, AA fuel price spokesperson, said: “The only saving grace is the variety of pump prices that can be found and drivers that keep their eyes open can lop perhaps as much as 4p a litre / £2 a tank off their refuelling costs. Other than that, it’s looking to be a dismal start to the summer for Britain’s drivers.”