Be prepared for busy roads!

21 December 2007

Christmas rush set to begin
Motorists advised to plan ahead
Helpful websites and contact numbers

Latest News

Motorists are being warned to take extra care on wet, cold and busy roads this Christmas.

With traffic jams from travelling families expected to start building up this weekend, motorists are being advised to plan stops at roughly two-hour or 100-mile intervals.

In addition, motorists are advised to take toys and games for their children, and make sure they have plenty of water and snacks in case of major delays.

The information below highlights where you can get latest travel information from:

Websites
The Highways Agency: www.highways.gov.uk
Trafficmaster: www.trafficmaster.co.uk
Transport Scotland: www.transportscotland.gov.uk
Traffic Scotland: www.trafficscotland.org
Traffic Wales: www.traffic-wales.com
The AA: www.theaa.com/travelwatch/roadwatch.jsp
The RAC: www.rac.co.uk (click on 'Traffic news' in the left-hand menu).
www.getmethere.co.uk
www.teletext.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/#roads

Telephone and mobile services
Many organisations and websites can send traffic alerts to your mobile, while others provide useful voice services to keep you moving.

Trafficmaster: Call 0906 470 1740 from a landline, or 1740 from your mobile. Costs vary according to your operator.

The AA: Call 09003 401 100 from a landline or 401 100 from your mobile. Costs from 60p per minute.

The RAC: Call 1740. Cost 59p per minute.

BBC: Text 'Traffic' to 81010. Costs 12-15p per text.

www.keepmoving.co.uk: Call 64644 for voice service

www.getmethere.co.uk: Text TRAFFIC to 82085 and you'll get a map sent to your WAP mobile. Costs £1.

Traffic Wales: www.traffic-wales.com - you need to register, but you can get text and e-mail alerts directly from the Welsh Assembly's traffic information service. Costs vary according to your operator.

Teletext services
In today's digital age, it's easy to forget about Teletext. So, if you don't have a mobile phone, aren't in a good signal area, or don't have internet access, try Ceefax (p431) and Teletext (p160). There are also landline services provided by the AA and Trafficmaster (see above).