National
6.6 million journeys expected on Spanish roads this bank holiday weekend
By h.b. - Apr 30, 2008 - 7:53 AM
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Forecasts of good weather after a wet Easter and during previous bank holidays, are expected to lead to a very busy May bank holiday this weekend. Low pressure will only affect the north of the country at the start of the weekend, with conditions improving later and clear skies dominating from Thursday onwards and temperatures on the increase.
The DGT traffic department is forecasting 6.6 million journeys on Spain’s roads, with blackspots expected to be on the A-3 and A-4 exit roads from Madrid to the Levante and Andalucian coasts. Friday May 2 is an official fiesta for the Madrid region, but many other Spaniards will take the day off as a so-called ‘puente’ or bridge weekend. Busiest times on the roads are forecast to be this afternoon and tomorrow morning.
Last year there were 42 deaths in 33 fatal traffic accidents over this weekend.
8,900 Civil Guards are on duty over the weekend, backed up by some 400 civil servants working to administer the traffic flow across the country, and a series of measures such as extra lanes are being put in place. Lorries of more than 7,500 kilos will be banned from the roads at certain times.
More road information – www.dgt.es
A strike by ticket inspectors on RENFE Spanish railways will complicate the get-away for some. AVE high speed services are not affected by the stoppage which starts tomorrow and continues until Sunday. Long distance conventional services will be hit, with minimum services giving at least 75% cover.
Expect some cancellations on the lines Valencia-Teruel and to Cuenca and Murcia.
Euromed and Cercanias services are not affected.
More rail information - www.renfe.es
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