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Traffic expected to be extremely heavy on European roads this weekend

Illustration picture shows a traffic jam on the Tervurenlaan - Avenue de Tervueren, near the Leonardtunnel - tunnel Leonard, Brussels. (BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK)
06:52 28/07/2021

Traffic will be heavily congested throughout Europe during the weekend of 30 July to 2 August, the Touring mobility organisation has warned. A particularly busy day is expected on Saturday, especially in France where severe traffic disruptions are forecast.

In Belgium, Friday afternoon and evening as well as Saturday morning are classified in red in the direction of departures, in particular on the E40 from Brussels to the Belgian coast and on the E411 route Brussels-Luxembourg. The outskirts of Antwerp and Brussels, the E19 Brussels–Mons–Valenciennes route and the E40 Brussels–Liège–Aachen motorway will also be heavily affected. In regard to returning travellers, Sunday evening is also likely to be quite busy, especially on the E40 Brussels–Ostend route.

In France, Friday in the early afternoon has been classified orange in regard to traffic heading to popular holiday destinations. The Touring organisation expects an extremely busy Saturday in France towards the south, classifying it as black. All motorways to Brittany, Normandy, southern France and Spain will be congested.

Traffic will also be overloaded on French national roads. The biggest traffic problems are expected in the Rhone Valley (A7), on the Mediterranean motorway (A9) and on the Paris–Bordeaux–Spain motorway (A10). On Sundays and Mondays, there should be fewer traffic jams. In the direction of returns, Saturday will be red and Sunday orange.

As far as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Spain are concerned, Friday will be orange in Switzerland and Austria, and red in Germany. No problems are expected on the side of Spain and Italy (green). Saturday will be heavily congested in all five countries (red) but the situation should improve on Sunday (orange). Saturday and Sunday will also be in red in the direction of returns.

Written by Nick Amies