Dawlish News

The heatwave that was predicted to hit the Westcountry this weekend saw temperatures reach 27C, and as visitors headed to the South West, the region's roads were described as "busy and congested". As holidaymakers headed to the coast to soak up some much needed sunshine, they were caught in massive traffic jams on the M5, which on Saturday were reported have tailbacks of up to 19 miles. A spokesman for AA Roadwatch said: "The traffic has been generally heavy all weekend especially on the M5 going all the way down to Cornwall. "All the motorway has been really busy as people travelled to the coast. There haven't been too many accidents but it has been very congested, mainly between 12 o'clock and four o'clock on both Saturday and Sunday." The Highways Agency said it was too early to tell if a scheme encouraging drivers towing caravans to only use the inside lane on one stretch of the motorway, was working yet. Chris Stapleton, from Beachside Amusements, Dawlish Warren, South Devon, said: "The excellent weather came just at the right time, it was very much needed. "We have had a lovely weekend and it was nice to see people out and about again. "It was a winner for everyone as they can go to the beach in the day and come to the arcades at night. "The bad weather scared the holidaymakers away, now we just hope the good weather will continue until the end of the school holidays."