With many schools due to break up for the summer on July 23rd, the weekend could be a time for some families to drive to their holiday property in France.

For those planning to do so in their own car, some simple planning recommended by the Highways Agency could help to arrive on time – or at least without feeling stressed.

The organisation is expecting to see substantial traffic on the 23rd and 24th as the major holiday season begins in earnest.

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Control Centre, says that the roads network will be monitored, helping to spot congestion as it forms in places not seen during the usual commuter traffic of the rest of the year.

But he tells travellers they should check conditions – both weather and on the roads – before setting out and keep an eye on any dynamically updated motorway information signs.

Travellers taking the Eurostar rail link to their property in France may particularly want to leave plenty of time in order to arrive the recommended 30-90 minutes before their departure time.

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