Cars will be set up between 11am and 3pm on both days as holidaymakers and sports fans pull onto UK motorways. The auto group warned of a stalemate on some major roads as Saturday’s industrial action was expected to force more people into their cars during the second busiest weekend of the summer break.
This weekend marks the start of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the English Football League season, and school holidays are now underway as well.
Train strikes at eight rail companies on Friday will also put pressure on car traffic as the ongoing wage dispute continues.
The AA warned that the biggest disruption was likely to occur on roads crossing the Channel in Kent, with routes to the West Country also at high risk of congestion.
On Thursday evening, Saturday’s rail strike seemed almost certain to continue.
Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of road policy, said: “We really hope it doesn’t happen, but our road network is at the cutting edge and it won’t take much to collapse.”
He explained: “With the holiday rental changeover day starting on Friday, mixed with train strikes and a massive sports weekend, we are concerned that drivers will experience delays on the network, particularly in the south of England.
“All eyes will be on Dover and Folkestone but we think changes have been made during the week and we will keep our fingers crossed for a smoother journey across the Channel.
“Panches can exacerbate traffic jams and last weekend we saw an increase in the number of breakdowns where no vehicle checks had been carried out before departure.
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