Start of summer holidays sees gridlocks across Spain

TRAFFIC jams across the country this weekend have been reported as travellers from big cities and inland locations flock to the coast for the start of their summer holidays.

The worst of the rush is likely to be over by tomorrow (Monday) night, by which time at least 5.2 million cars would have been out on the road.

Over the next two months, 80 million journeys – nearly two for every inhabitant – will have been made across Spain.

Police have stepped up vigilance and are reporting round the clock on gridlocks on major trunk roads.

In Madrid, the A-6, A-5, A-1 and A-4 have been rammed solid since Friday night and slow-moving traffic was reported on the AP-7 and A-2 near Barcelona, as well as on the minor roads B-10, B-20 and B-30.

Sevilla is experiencing frequent gridlocks on the N-6, whilst on the east coast, the V-31 at the entrance to the city of Valencia, and the N-340 on the way into Alicante city have seen long tailbacks.

Roadworks on the A-3 at the Valencia end may also cause long delays, and drivers are encouraged to find alternative routes where possible.

So far this weekend, one death on the roads has been reported – a 56-year-old man in Almassora (Castellón province) involved in a three-car pile-up.