Traffic jam warning issued in Bristol ahead of the 'busiest Christmas getaway on record'

The AA predict December 20 will be the busiest day on roads during the festive season, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip, making it the busiest Christmas getaway since 2010.

December 21 and 23 are joint second worst for traffic jams over the festive season with 22.7 million drivers expected on the road each day.

The AA has issued an amber traffic warning for the three days.

The M4/M5 interchange near Bristol is likely to be a congestion hotspot for the city.

Drivers are advised to pack essentials such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.

Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are expected to be the quietest days on the road but AA will still have patrols available nationwide.

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Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “The Ghost of Christmas Past shows that each year, avoidable breakdowns snowball into miles of queues on the roads.

“Drivers can maintain the Christmas cheer by performing basic checks on their car before any journey.

“This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.

“With people driving fewer miles, it means there will be more localised congestion as record numbers head out on the roads this festive period.

“The best way to ensure hassle-free journeys is to plan them well.

“Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it’s quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams.”