Over 6million drivers hit the roads as traffic piles up on the first week of UK’s summer getaway

SIX million drivers are hitting the roads with traffic piling up on the first week of the summer holidays. Families are flocking to beaches, campsites and airports for holidays abroad today after schools broke up for the summer break. Traffic queues on the M5 just north of Junction 15 as the summer holiday getaway unfolds Credit: Alamy It’s expected to be the busiest summer getaway since 2022, with six million to hit the roads Credit: Alamy The AA said around 6.3million drivers are planning a road trip of more than 100 miles between today and Thursday. It is urging families to plan ahead as delays are already building on major roads. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The West Country is expected to be the biggest draw, with Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset attracting around nine per cent of holidaymakers. Around eight per cent are expected to head for the beaches of Kent and Sussex. Scotland, East Anglia and Wales are also tipped to be among the most popular staycation destinations. The Port of Dover is expecting another busy weekend but has worked to smooth any delays caused by new EU border checks. On Friday morning, the port posted on X that there is a 40-minute processing time in the Buffer Zone – the area where traffic may be held in multiple lanes while waiting to pass through French border and security checks. Ferry company DFDS also said its wait times at Dover were up to 60 minutes at border controls and “free flowing” at check-in. Most read in Motors Traffic builds on the A14 in Cambridge as the holiday getaway starts Credit: Bav Media A view of freight traffic queueing to use the Port of Dover in Kent today Credit: PA Last month, The Sun reported how a summer of queues at border control was on the horizon for Brits heading abroad. Launched in April, the new entry-exit system EES means non-EU nationals will be required to register their details on their first visit to the Schengen area after the EES is implemented. The IT system relies on biometric data in the form of fingerprints and facial images, taken from non-EU passport holders. The measures have been put in place to ensure that Brits, as third-country nationals, do not exceed the permitted 90 days that are allowed within a 180-day period without a visa. It comes as temperatures are forecast to reach mid to high 20s, with possible highs of 30C. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to turn “fresher” across much of the UK, with rain possible in “areas that haven’t seen much” over the past few weeks. Lee Morley, from AA expert patrol, said: “The first major school-holiday week in England and Wales is always one of the busiest times on the roads, and our survey suggests many drivers are preparing for longer journeys as families head away for summer breaks. “The warm weather we’ve already seen this summer may encourage more families to make the most of the school holidays, whether that’s heading to the coast, visiting relatives or setting off on a longer UK break. Cars stuck in queues on the A14 in Cambridge as the summer holidays begin Credit: Bav Media It comes as temperatures are forecast to reach mid to high 20s, with possible highs of 30C Credit: Alamy “Before setting off, take a few minutes to check your tyres, oil, coolant and fuel or battery charge levels. “Cars loaded with passengers, luggage and holiday kit work harder, so it is especially important to make sure tyre pressures are correct and that the vehicle is ready for the journey. “Planning your route in advance can also help reduce stress. “The AA Routeplanner is a useful way to check your journey before leaving, but it is still worth keeping an atlas in the car in case mobile signal drops out. “A few minutes of preparation before leaving home can make a big difference and help prevent the start of a summer holiday turning into an unnecessary breakdown.” Comment now