[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ve-day-bank-holiday-delays-road-closures\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ve-day-bank-holiday-delays-road-closures\/","headline":"May Day Bank Holiday Delays and Road Closures","name":"May Day Bank Holiday Delays and Road Closures","description":"Drivers are being urged to prepare for serious delays and widespread road closures during the upcoming May Day Bank Holiday weekend.With warmer weather and a long weekend encouraging people to travel, roads are expected to be at their busiest \u2013 and slowest \u2013 across the country. Key routes such as the M25, M5, M6 and A303 are all expected to experience heavy congestion, with some journeys predicted to take up to two hours longer than normal. The RAC is forecasting […]","datePublished":"2025-04-30","dateModified":"2025-05-01","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/max-wheeler\/#Person","name":"Max Wheeler","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/max-wheeler\/","identifier":37,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dd7d05981c650a54552c318b1741510fc7d8850afe8d276012b8833bf2eda46d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dd7d05981c650a54552c318b1741510fc7d8850afe8d276012b8833bf2eda46d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/road-closed-sign-utc-1.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/road-closed-sign-utc-1.webp","height":800,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ve-day-bank-holiday-delays-road-closures\/","about":["Car Maintenance Tips","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":410,"keywords":["road traffic"],"articleBody":"Drivers are being urged to prepare for serious delays and widespread road closures during the upcoming May Day Bank Holiday weekend.With warmer weather and a long weekend encouraging people to travel, roads are expected to be at their busiest \u2013 and slowest \u2013 across the country.Key routes such as the M25, M5, M6 and A303 are all expected to experience heavy congestion, with some journeys predicted to take up to two hours longer than normal.The RAC is forecasting more than 20 million leisure trips to take place between Friday and Monday, with Friday afternoon and Bank Holiday Monday (5th May) being peak times for congestion.Anticipated Congestion HotspotsM25: Clockwise between Junction 7 (M23) and Junction 21 (M1), delays could exceed 90 minutes on Friday afternoon.M5: Southbound from Junction 16 (north of Bristol) to Junction 25 (Taunton) \u2013 expect over an hour of additional travel time.M6: Northbound between Junctions 18 (Chester) and 24 (Liverpool), with potential queues of at least 30 minutes.A303 and A30\/A38: Routes towards the South West are likely to experience heavy traffic, especially on Friday and Saturday.National highway agencies have also released lists of planned roadworks and closures \u2013 particularly around VE Day celebrations \u2013 which could catch drivers out if they don\u2019t check before setting off.While some major projects will be paused, others will continue, causing lane restrictions and diversions.To avoid getting stuck, check National Highways\u2019 live road closure updates.For specific information about VE Day road closures in London, visit TFL: https:\/\/tfl.gov.uk\/status-updates\/major-works-and-events\/ve-day-events.For local VE Day road closures, simply search \u2018VE Day road closures in my area\u2019 in your favourite search engine.General Travel AdviceThe RAC Route Planner also offers excellent travel advice for all upcoming trips, and it\u2019s always a good idea to check your route on the Waze app or any smart route planner before you set out.And Don\u2019t Forget the BasicsIt\u2019s always sensible to carry out basic vehicle checks before travelling \u2013 oil levels, tyre pressure, water, and fuel levels \u2013 as breakdowns add further strain to already packed routes.If you\u2019re staying local or can be flexible, travelling outside peak times (early morning or later evening) could save time and reduce stress.With the right preparation, you can avoid the worst of the disruption and enjoy a safer, smoother start to your long weekend.Enjoy your Bank Holiday \u2013 wherever you may be (hopefully not in a traffic jam\u2026)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"May Day Bank Holiday Delays and Road Closures","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/ve-day-bank-holiday-delays-road-closures\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]