Consumers planning to drive to shops on this year’s Black Friday are being warned to expect potentially huge travel disruption.
Black Friday is a term that has become popular in Britain which refers to the last Friday of November. At this time, many stores will offer substantial discounts on products for just the single day. Subsequently, it has become a very popular day for consumers to do at least some of their Christmas shopping and it leads to a massive increase in traffic volumes.
The traffic information company, INRIX, compared the levels of traffic in Britain on last year’s Black Friday compared with a regular term-time Friday. The investigation found an average 35 per cent increase in traffic at 7am on Black Friday.
The research also uncovered the areas that are worst-hit by traffic hotspots on Black Friday. Last year, Bicester Village shopping centre and ‘thecentre:mk’ in Milton Keynes were among the worst hit, as both areas had more than double the average amount of traffic.
Using its traffic research, INRIX has outlined the best and worst times to visit busy shopping centres on this year’s Black Friday, which takes place on November 27.
In the case of Cabot Circus in Bristol, 10am to 12pm has been found to be the best time window to driver there, while 3pm to 5pm is the worst time period. At Metrocentre in Gateshead, 10am to 1pm is likely to be the quietest period traffic-wise, while 2pm to 5pm is the busiest.
The researchers add that Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent is best to drive to before 10am and will be in gridlock between 4pm and 7pm. Those going to the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester are advised to travel in the morning and avoid driving there between 5pm to 7pm.
Birmingham’s Bullring is best driving to between 11am and 2pm and 4pm to 5pm is the worst time. Also, if you want to travel to Bicester Village this year, 4pm and 6pm is the window of time that’s likely to best. In contrast, 10am to 12pm or after 8pm are the time periods to avoid for this shopping centre.
