Heatwave and Holiday Traffic Chaos Expected Across Wiltshire and the South

Motorists across Wiltshire are being warned to prepare for heavy traffic and soaring temperatures as a major May heatwave combines with the bank holiday getaway rush.

Forecasters say parts of southern England could see temperatures reach 30°C to 33°C over the weekend, potentially making it one of the hottest May bank holidays on record.

At the same time, millions of people are expected to head for coastal resorts, campsites, airports and holiday destinations, with long delays predicted on major routes including the M3, M4, M5, M25 and A303.

For drivers travelling from Salisbury and surrounding areas towards the South West, Dorset coast or Hampshire, congestion is expected to build from Friday afternoon and continue throughout the weekend.

Traffic experts say Saturday late morning and early afternoon could be among the busiest periods on the roads, especially for routes heading towards Cornwall, Devon and popular seaside towns.

The hot weather is also raising concerns about driver safety. National Highways has urged motorists to carry water, check their vehicles before travelling and avoid driving during the hottest parts of the day where possible.

Drivers are being advised to:

• Check coolant, oil and tyre pressures before setting off
• Carry drinking water for all passengers
• Expect longer journey times
• Take regular breaks during long drives
• Keep an eye on engine temperatures in slow-moving traffic

The Met Office says the warm spell is expected to continue into early next week, with sunny conditions across much of England and Wales.

Holidaymakers travelling through Dover have already been warned to expect queues and delays, while rail passengers are also being told to check services before travelling due to engineering works and disruption on some routes.

Wiltshire residents planning trips are being encouraged to leave early, allow extra travel time and stay updated with live traffic and weather reports throughout the weekend.

For many families the sunshine will be welcome after a cooler spring, but officials say preparation will be key as the region experiences both extreme heat and one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.