Traffic jams on major routes will result in ‘big problems’ for companies that are delivering packages over Christmas, the Freight Transport Association has warned.
Friday is expected to be the ‘busiest getaway day’ over the Christmas period, with over 14 million people travelling on the roads.
According to the FTA, 400 miles of roadworks will be cleared off motorways and A-roads over the Christmas holidays. However, it said this will not help ease the delays over the weekend.
Malcolm Bingham, head of road network policy, said: “Delays create cost for the industry. It costs £1 a minute for a 44-tonne HGV to stand still in traffic and there is also the knock-on effect when contracts can’t be delivered on time and deadlines are missed. All of this piles addition financial pressure on operators who work on very tight profit margins.”
