Millions of motorists set to hit the road over the extended Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend are being warned to expect delays.
With Queen Elizabeth II is set to mark 70 years on the throne from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June 2022, making her the first ever British monarch to reach this milestone, and the UK to get an extra bank holiday for the occasion, the RAC has said that about 19.5 million leisure trips by road will take place between Wednesday and Sunday as the nation prepares.
A survey of 1,460 drivers’ travel plans added that Friday is likely to be the most congested day on the roads and motorways across the UK.
This will see day-trippers combine with families returning home from half-term breaks.
RAC traffic spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “The fact the bank holidays coincide with the end of half-term in many places has the potential to put some extra pressure on the road network,” but he added “many appear keen to keep their car journeys short, perhaps mixing a daytrip or two with a Jubilee celebration at home”.
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Traffic information supplier Inrix is also advising drivers to set off either before 6am or after 3pm to avoid the worst of the traffic.
The RAC said that about 19.5 million leisure trips by road will take place between Wednesday and Sunday / Credit: NIC
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as around 37% of respondents to a separate RAC poll said that they will not be driving long distances over the weekend.
For those who are planning on travelling by road though, the RAC is urging drivers to carry out essential checks on their vehicles before setting off – such as making sure oil, coolant and screen wash levels are correct, and tyres are properly inflated and free from damage.
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“A bit of TLC now could make the difference between a straightforward trip and one beset by a breakdown,” said RAC traffic spokesperson Rod Dennis.
Elsewhere off the roads, the widespread engineering work that Network Rail normally carries out during bank holidays has been put on hold and nearly all major lines will remain open during the Jubilee celebrations, with Chief executive Andrew Haines saying it’s because the company “knows that demand will be high”.
Drivers are being advised set off either before 6am or after 3pm to avoid the worst of the traffic / Credit: Malc McDonald (via Geograph)
“Our station staff will be on hand to welcome passengers and help them with their journeys,” he assured travellers.
Meanwhile, UK airports will also be busy, with more than 10,000 flights departing between Thursday and Sunday, according to aviation data firm Cirium, which is a three-fold increase on the same period last year.
Featured Image – Flickr
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Emily Sergeant -
30th May 2022 
