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THE RAC has warned 2.6million drivers will hit the roads today on their way home from May Bank Holiday getaways.

Brits have been urged not to travel between 10am and 3pm, when roads will be crammed.

A traffic jam on the M23 in West Sussex this morning
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A traffic jam on the M23 in West Sussex this morningCredit: SUSSEX NEWS AND PICTURES

Transport experts INRIX said the West Country, East Anglia and the north west will see the worst traffic jams.

A jam is predicted on the M55 eastbound between Blackpool and Preston from 11am.

There will also be a jam on the A30 and A38 eastbound between Cornwall and Exeter from 11.30am.

A third jam will hit the A11 southbound between Norwich and Thetford from 12.15pm. 

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The best time to brave the motorway will be after 5pm this afternoon.

RAC expert Alice Simpson said: "Drivers appear to be much more eager to make the most of the May Day weekend.

"The total number of getaway trips this year far exceeds the average since 2017.

"Our data shows local routes to city and out-of-town shopping centres could see heavy traffic."

Simpson added: "It’s best to head out early morning or evening if possible."  

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It comes as commuters face a week of rail and tram strikes - including short-notice cancellations.

Trade union Aslef is launching a six-day overtime ban today - and will unleash a salvo of strikes from tomorrow until Tuesday.

Full list of train strikes this week

Tuesday

  • c2c
  • Greater Anglia
  • GTR's Great Northern
  • Thameslink
  • Southern
  • Gatwick Express
  • Southeastern
  • South Western Railway.

Wednesday

  • Avanti West Coast
  • London Northwestern Railway
  • Chiltern
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • GWR
  • West Midlands Trains

Thursday

  • LNER
  • Northern
  • TransPennine Express.
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