Motorists are urged to plan their routes well this weekend as the AA issues an amber traffic warning for the M4 and M5 for the bank holiday weekend.

The AA Route Planner has issued an Amber Traffic Warning* lasting from Friday, August 26 until Monday, August 29, as holidaymakers and festivalgoers meet on the roads over the last weekend before all UK schools return.

The AA estimates that 45 per cent of drivers will embark on a car journey during the long weekend, either on holiday or days out – which equates to nearly 15 million leisure trips.

They also expect Saturday 27 August traffic to reach its peak between 10am until 4pm, followed by the next busiest travel days of Friday and Monday.

Predicted AA Route Planner traffic hotspots:

  • M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
  • M25 Western and South Western sections
  • M5 between Taunton and Exeter
  • M1 between the M25 and Newport Pagnell
  • M6/M42 Birmingham
  • M62 Liverpool to Manchester section and Leeds
  • M60
  • M56
  • Edinburgh area (M8, A90, A720) 

Drivers are advised to expect delays on major routes and plan ahead, as crucial car checks could prevent a bank holiday breakdown.

Last year, the AA attended nearly 40,000 breakdowns over the August bank holiday weekend.