Manchester August bank holiday travel: the roads to avoid and busiest times on motorways according to AA

Roads are expected to be extra busy this weekend across Greater Manchester as drivers head off for the last bank holiday of the summer.

Motoring organisation the AA says Friday evening (26 August) is predicted to be hectic, with many people heading off on a long weekend.

The AA also expects that on Saturday 27 August, traffic will reach its peak between 10am until 4pm.

And finally their travel data trawl indicates this Sunday afternoon (28 August) and bank holiday Monday afternoon and evening (29 August) are expected to be particularly busy as travellers return from longer holidays, as well as day trippers.

The AA estimates that 45 % of drivers will embark on a car journey over the course of the weekend - which equates to nearly 15 million leisure trips.

Amber traffic warning issued

The AA Route Planner has issued an amber traffic warning from Friday 26 August until Monday 29 August, as holidaymakers and festivalgoers all hit the roads, with major events in the North West including Creamfields music festival in Daresbury from 25 to 28 August.

The M62 between Liverpool and Manchester has been flagged as a likely traffic hotspot, along with the Leeds stretch of the M62. The M60 is also expected to be congested, along with the M56, the AA says.

And the following elsewhere have been predicted to be busy spots this weekend:

• M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
• M25 Western and South Western sections
• M5 between Taunton and Exeter
• M1 between the M25 and Newport Pagnell
• M6/M42 Birmingham
• Edinburgh area (M8, A90, A720)

Pride is also on in Manchester city centre this weekend and there will be some road closures in the city centre for the parade between noon and 6pm. The popular processions sets off at noon on Saturday along Deansgate from the junction with Liverpool Road to Fairfield Street. The route then takes it via Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street, Princess Street and Whitworth Street along the way.

TFGM has warned of likley congestion on Mancunian Way too with Manchester City playing at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon and test cricket at Emirates Old Trafford.

What about trains, trams and buses?

Recent weekends have seen trains disrupted by strike action - but there is currently none planned for this weekend.

On Bank Holiday Monday, Metrolink trams and local buses are expected to follow a Sunday timetable and you are advised to check individual journeys on the TFGM website.

What about Manchester Airport?

Manchester Airport is likely to be busy with people jetting out and returning from the last week of school holidays. The airport advises passengers turn up three hours before their flight (but not before that) to allow enough time to drop bags and clear security. See our comprehensive guide to getting through the airport smoothly here.