Thursday 29th April 2004

Top 10 Holiday Blackspots

Travelling this weekend - or just sitting in a jam?

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The stretch of motorway between J10 and J16 on the M25 is officially the worst for congestion in the UK, says RAC Auto Windscreens. The 18-mile route topped the list of top ten Bank Holiday motorway black spots.

A combination of heavy traffic and roadworks along the M25 has contributed to it taking first (J10 to J16 both ways) and second (J23 to 31 clockwise) place in the top ten, with average journey times along those routes set to increase by around an hour. The knock on effect of traffic leaving from the M25 and the M42/ A42 means that the M1 takes third (J6a to J9 northbound) and fourth (J21 - J28 northbound) place.

Though the new M6 Toll road has eased congestion northbound around J4 to J10a, the M6 still takes positions 5, 6, 9 and 10 on the list, with motorist s travelling in both directions advised to allow for additional travelling time.

Top Ten Blackspots:

1. M25 both ways J10 (Surrey) to J16 (Bucks) - 18 miles

2. M25 Clockwise J23 (Hertfordshire) to J31 (Essex) - 34 miles

3. M1 Northbound J6a to J9 (Hertfordshire) - 10 miles

4. M1 northbound J21 (Leicester) - J28 (Derbyshire) - 40 miles

5. M6 northbound J15 (Staffs) - J20 (Cheshire) - 34 miles

6. M6 Southbound J11-8 (West Midlands) - 9 miles

7. M5 Southbound J14-20 (Somerset) - 23 miles

8. M4 westbound J23A (Gwent) J30 (South Glamorgan) - 12 miles

9. M6 northbound J29 to 32 (Lancs) - 7 miles

10. M6 Northbound J4a to J10a - 25 miles

[DustyC]

Also avoid Hampshire and Sussex at all costs.
In fact even if you live there just go somewhere else for the whole weekend. Especially on Saturday and Sunday. Trust me, the roads are gonna be awful. Dont even bother.

[bikerkeith]

If you're on 4 wheels don't go near the A21 on Monday. Every biker in Southern England will be on their way to Hastings. In fact I'm not going near the A21, I'll find a different route there, it'll be far less scary.