Lake District: Drivers warned to avoid A591 this bank holiday

Car leasing company,  Leasing Options warned drivers to avoid the A591 which passes through the Lake District, in a list of routes across the UK that are expected to be the busiest over the bank holiday weekend.

Named among five of the busiest roads in the UK, the A591 runs through tourist hot spots including Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Thirlmere.

Leasing Options chief operating officer, Mike Thompson, said: “The Lake District is renowned for its picturesque landscape with its striking mountain face.

"Tourists travelling through the region will find that the A591 develops traffic build-ups easily. Ambleside and Windermere town centres can also develop traffic easily, especially during peak season.

“For travellers looking to avoid Lake District traffic, the A590 is a great alternative to the A591 as it doesn’t pass through any specific tourist towns, but it still has views of the striking Lake District scenery.”

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The August bank holiday marks one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with over 14.4 million cars expected to take to the roads according to traffic data analysts INRIX.

INRIX data scientist Josh Kidd said: “The best general advice to anyone driving to spend some time away from home this weekend is to travel as early or as late in the day as possible in an effort to avoid the worst of the traffic.

"However, on Friday, the joint busiest day this weekend, our data suggests drivers should set off between 10:00 and 13:00 to avoid clashing with commuters and other people planning a bank holiday getaway.

“With delays expected across the country all weekend, it is great to see Highways England lifting roadworks, a move which will no doubt ease traffic conditions.”