AA Roadwatch reveals Kildare roads to avoid on Frantic Friday as Xmas Exodus peaks
Experts say that with Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the traditional Christmas Eve exodus along the M7 and M4 is likely to take place on Friday - being dubbed 'Frantic Friday'.
AA Roadwatch has given details of routes including in Co Kildare with the heaviest traffic.
Arwen Foley of AA Roadwatch said: “On Friday, December 23, traffic levels will start to build up from 1pm as people leaving urban areas make their way home for Christmas before traffic starts to die down again after approximately 4pm.”
AA Roadwatch is predicting heavy traffic on the following routes relevant to Co Kildare motorists:
- M7 especially between Junction 6 Castlewarden and Junction 10 Naas South
- N4/ M4 from Chapelizod Bypass to Junction 7 Maynooth and further west
- M50 southbound from Junction 7 Lucan to Junction 17 M11
With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the traditional Christmas Eve exodus from Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway cities is likely to take place one day earlier.
However, this will likely result in busy traffic around shopping centres in other towns around the country as those travelling home search for last minute gifts. In fact, AA Roadwatch say they regularly see the worst delays occurring in commuter towns.
Other blackspots include:
N40 South Ring Rd in Cork City; particularly between J6 Kinsale Rd and the Dunkettle Interchange
N11 Dublin/ Wexford Rd from J5 Bray North to Kilmacanogue
N21 Limerick/ Tralee Rd past Patrickswell to Adare and then again to go through Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale
N18 Limerick/ Galway Rd through Gort and again further north from Clarinbridge to Oranmore
N20 Cork/ Limerick Rd between Mallow and Buttevant