Should we expect to see more traffic on the roads this Christmas?
With the latest announcements about a slight relaxation in how households can meet over Christmas, will there be the same rush onto the roads as we usually see over the festive period?
Previously, traffic surveys have given us the data to predict how busy the roads will be over the holiday period. Large organisatio
With the latest announcements about a slight relaxation in how households can meet over Christmas, will there be the same rush onto the roads as we usually see over the festive period?
Previously, traffic surveys have given us the data to predict how busy the roads will be over the holiday period. Large organisations like the RAC and AA annually predict the dates, times and roads that are likely to be busiest. This helps travellers plan so that their journey times are as short as possible.
This year is definitely different, however. With much of the country in either Tier 2 or Tier 3 during December and into January, there are likely to be restrictions on travel – and potentially more people travelling there and back in a day, rather than staying with relatives for the whole of the period.
Less congestion around airports
With significant travel restrictions in place and a quarantine period for travellers from certain countries when they get back to the UK, there is likely to be less air travel this Christmas. Similarly, ski resorts in Europe are mostly closed and those with relatives overseas are less likely to be able to visit, so areas around airports, which are often busy at Christmas and New Year, are likely to be much quieter this time round.
Fewer people at the shops
Although all non-essential shops are able to open in England after December 2nd, there is still likely to be a significant decrease in the numbers of people heading to the shopping centres. So where you might have expected long queues to get into the Blue Water Shopping Centre, the Trafford Centre or Meadowhall, for example, we think there will be fewer cars heading in those directions. Many people will still be shopping, of course, and it may be busier than it has been during 2020, but with lots of cautious shoppers, and many people choosing to stay safe and shop online, all these areas are likely to be quieter.
No Christmas parties
Sadly for many hospitality venues, it looks like there will be no in-person Christmas parties this year. And much less partying in general – certainly no nightclubs are open, and there is only a handful of theatres with pantomimes and other shows. So night-time in our towns and cities is likely to be a much lower-traffic time this year.
To find out more about how we can help you predict traffic flows, journey times, parking trends and more, contact Road Data Services today.
