A major motorway in England is expected to be very busy in the coming hours.
It is expected that the M25 will be busy when England’s great Summer Gate begins.
Heavy traffic is expected from Friday (July 22) to Monday (July 25).
The RAC expects the most vehicles on the road since it started collecting summer vacation numbers in 2014.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Where is traffic expected on the M25?
Traffic analysis firm Inrix believes the M25 – London’s ring road – could experience some of the worst congestion due to the summer holiday, with the routes between Bromley and the Dartford Crossing being singled out; Maple Cross and the M3; and the M23 to the M40.
Why might there be traffic?
With most schools in England and Wales leaving for the summer this week, the RAC said an estimated 18.8 million leisure trips are planned in the UK between Friday and Monday.
That’s the highest since the company began tracking summer vacation numbers in 2014.
How long are the delays?
AA Traffic is currently showing very slow moving traffic on the M25 near Dartford.
The M25 is closed for road works near Mapple Cross.
AA Traffic states: “Road closed for HS2 roadworks on Chalfont Lane in both directions from Sunnyhill Road to Shire Lane. The road will be closed until 2026 while construction of HS2 takes place. A new link road from Shire Lane to Hornhill Road will only allow residents access.”
The traffic map also shows slow-moving traffic on this section of the M25.
What are the fuel protests?
Fuel price protests will exacerbate congestion during what is expected to be the busiest summer holiday in at least eight years.
Avon and Somerset Police warned motorists that “slow road closures” were planned on parts of the M4, M5, M32 and A38 on Friday morning.
A picture posted to the Fuel Price Stand Against Tax Facebook group suggests demonstrations are being held “across the country” including in Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, London and Manchester.
Climate protesters caused major disruption on Wednesday when they climbed signs above the M25.
What did the police say about the protests?
Superintendent Tony Blatchford of Avon and Somerset Police has urged drivers to consider “alternative travel plans” amid the pump price protests.
He said: “Our protest liaison team has been working with the organizer so we can inform the public of the likely disruption and help minimize it.
“Nevertheless, motorists must expect longer than normal travel times, especially on motorways, which are often the busiest at this time of year.
“We advise motorists to consider any available alternative travel plans and ensure they are adequately prepared in the event of a delay.”
How long is the M25 and when was it built?
The M25 is also known as the London Orbital Motorway.
It is a major thoroughfare that encircles most of Greater London.
The M25 is 117 miles long and is one of the busiest roads in the country.
It opened in 1975 and the last section was completed in 1986, it was opened by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
At that time it was the longest bypass road in Europe.