M6 traffic: UK's longest motorway grinds to a halt as thousands of bikers descend for Hairy Biker ‘Dave Day'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE UK's longest motorway will grind to a halt today as a horde of bikers pay poignant tribute to the life of Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
Thousands of riders are expected to grab their helmets and head north to Cumbria to commemorate this year's 'Dave Day' in honour of the late TV personality.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
4
Hundreds of bikers are gathering to take part in a memorial bike ride for Dave Myers of the Hairy Bikers
4
It is the second time thousands of bikers have assembled to pay poignant tribute to the star
It marks the second consecutive year the memorial bike ride has taken place.
In 2024, an estimated 46,000 bikers arrived to celebrate Dave's life following his tragic death on February 28 that year.
The bikers are expected to arrive in the county this afternoon where two days of events will begin in memory of the beloved chef.
National Highways is advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys and to plan ahead this weekend.
The motorcycle procession starts at the iconic Ace Cafe in London, with bikers joining at other rendezvous points including the Oxford Welcome Break Services at junction 8A on the M40, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham and northbound M6 Moto Services at Knutsford between junctions 11 and 12.
National Highways Northwest Operations Manager Dee Murray said: 'We are advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys with thousands more bikers than usual travelling across the motorway network this weekend.
'The M6 will be particularly busy, especially at junction 36 with the procession making its way along the A590 to Barrow, but also earlier at Knutsford Services, where motorcyclists travelling from the south will gather before completing their journeys north.
'We urge road users to take extra care with motorcyclists travelling in convoys. Safety advice can be found on our website under our TRIP and BikerTek campaigns.'
TRAGIC DEATH
Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers died on February 28, 2024 aged 66.
The beloved TV chef had battled cancer since 2022, bravely updating fans about his illness.
Hairy Bikers star Si King makes heartbreaking confession 10 months after Dave Myers's death - as he lands new ITV job
Dave found fame alongside Si King, his friend of 30 years, as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo.
His co-star announced the tragic news in a statement, prompting a flurry of emotional tributes from celebrity friends and fans alike.
Posting on Twitter, Si said: "Hi everyone, I'm afraid I bear some sad news.
"Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.
"Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave's wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.
"All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.
"Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can't follow.
"I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime.
"I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya."
4
National Highways has advised motorists to allow more time for their journeys
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of plush toys sold in UK are urgently recalled & ‘rejected at border' over ‘serious' health risk
It comes as a slew of other products were forced to be pulled from shelves TOY ALERT Thousands of plush toys sold in UK are urgently recalled & 'rejected at border' over 'serious' health risk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of plush toys across the UK have been urgently recalled after they were flagged over a serious health risk. Locisne has pulled its Hamster Plush Toy from store shelves - with conerns it could present a serious risk to life. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands of Locisne Hamster Plush Toy models have been recalled The item has been removed from online marketplaces including from Amazon. "This product presents a serious risk of choking as the eyes of the hamster can detach and fit wholly in a small parts cylinder," a government report said. "If a child under 3 were to use and mouth the toy, the small parts may become detached and cause the child to choke. "The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys [Safety] Regulations 2011." Other recent product recalls While the laws around toys are stringent, products still make it to market that present a danger to children. The Nail Art Studio kit, by the brand Girls Creator, is a nail art set that includes nail varnish, a battery-operated nail dryer and a range of nail accessories. However, a warning was issued after a product safety report found a risk of suffocation for children. Another recent example was the Joycat Baby Float, sold on Amazon. The blue and yellow sea-themed swim seat, intended for babies and toddlers, was blocked from entering the country at the border. The float was branded a safety risk after authorities found that its attachable canopy could lift the float from the water in windy conditions, putting children in danger. Ford Recalls Over 1 Million Vehicles: Rearview Camera Glitch Explained The report also raised concerns that the float's colours do not provide enough contrast with the water, making it harder to spot in an emergency. What are my product recall rights? Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Map reveals UK's 10 most stressful junctions including a high-accident intersection & infamous ‘Magic Roundabout'
Top ranked junction takes on some 10,000 vehicles every hour on average Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The UK's most stressful junctions have been ranked and rated - each infamous for causing numerous problems for motorists. Scrap Car Comparison recently surveyed 1,000 UK drivers and asked them to rank road layouts based on feelings of confusion, anxiety, fear and confidence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 London's Hanger Lane Gyratory tops the list as the UK's most stressful junction, with its complex layout and high accident rate Credit: Alamy 3 Swindon's Magic Roundabout is a multi-mini roundabout system that confuses many but surprisingly boasts a strong safety record Credit: Getty 3 Drivers can navigate the Magic Roundabout's central island in an anticlockwise direction, adding to its unique complexity Credit: Alamy These responses were then used to build a unique 'Stress Score' out of 100 - helping reveal the road layouts that most vehicle owners would rather avoid. London's mind-boggling Hanger Lane Gyratory came on top as the most stressful to navigate. The gyratory - which is essentially a large, circular intersection - is located in the north of the Ealing borough in West London and serves as a major junction where the A40 (Western Avenue) and the A406 (North Circular Road) intersect, with the A40 passing underneath in a tunnel. It also connects to Ealing Road towards Wembley. Outrageously complex, the confusing layout boasts a high accident rate and often causes a bottleneck for traffic At peak times, it's known to take on some 10,000 vehicles per hour - making it not only very busy but also quite intimidating. The infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon followed closely behind in second place. A multi-mini roundabout system, the roundabout - which gets its name from the popular British children's television show, "The Magic Roundabout" - is made up of five mini roundabouts arranged in a circle around a central island. Though the mini roundabouts are all driven in a standard clockwise movement, it is possible to navigate the central island in an anticlockwise direction. But despite being wildly confusing, the Magic Roundabout boasts a surprisingly good safety record - with only 14 serious accidents and approximately 100 minor incidents over the last 25 years. Chilling moment thieves steal car with wireless device in seconds as new doc reveals how Brit motors end up in Lithuania UK's top 10 most stressful junctions Hanger Lane Gyratory - London (Stress Score: 44/100) Magic Roundabout - Swindon (Stress Score: 42/100) Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction - Norwich (Stress Score: 40/100) The Crooked Billet Interchange - Waltham Forest (Stress Score: 38/100) Ynysforgan Roundabout - Swansea (Stress Score: 38/100) Black Cat Roundabout - Bedfordshire (Stress Score: 38/100) Larne Road Roundabout - Ballymena (Stress Score: 36/100) Shalesmoor & Netherthorpe Road Roundabout - Sheffield (Stress Score: 36/100) Springwell Road & Queen Alexandra Road Junction - Sunderland (Stress Score: 35/100) Sheriffhall Roundabout - Edinburgh (Stress Score: 35/100) TRAVELLING PAINS Scrap Car Comparison not only ranked the most stressful junctions in the UK but also created a global leaderboard, ranking some of the world's most anxiety-inducing intersections. For globe-trotting drivers, it might be best to avoid the Meskel Square Roundabout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which picked up a Stress Score of 56 out of100. Meskel Square lacks basic road markings and formal traffic control, relying instead on driver intuition… and honking. Despite appearances, it's functional for locals but is known for being deeply unnerving for outsiders. The Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange in Los Angeles, a towering 8-level highway structure, came in close behind in second place with a score of 51/100. This score was matched by Paris' Arc de Triomphe roundabout, known for its 12 converging avenues and reversed right-of-way rules. Indeed, Europe features heavily in the rankings - with five of the top ten most stressful junctions located across the continent - with Paris, Rome, Madrid and London all making the list. Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: 'Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. 'Junctions often combine high traffic volumes, poor signage and confusing layouts, making preparation essential. 'Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. 'Once you're behind the wheel, try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. 'If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breath and don't let other road users rush you - it's perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 'Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. 'And if you're really nervous, consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. 'A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.'
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
M6 traffic: UK's longest motorway grinds to a halt as thousands of bikers descend for Hairy Biker ‘Dave Day'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE UK's longest motorway will grind to a halt today as a horde of bikers pay poignant tribute to the life of Hairy Biker Dave Myers. Thousands of riders are expected to grab their helmets and head north to Cumbria to commemorate this year's 'Dave Day' in honour of the late TV personality. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Hundreds of bikers are gathering to take part in a memorial bike ride for Dave Myers of the Hairy Bikers 4 It is the second time thousands of bikers have assembled to pay poignant tribute to the star It marks the second consecutive year the memorial bike ride has taken place. In 2024, an estimated 46,000 bikers arrived to celebrate Dave's life following his tragic death on February 28 that year. The bikers are expected to arrive in the county this afternoon where two days of events will begin in memory of the beloved chef. National Highways is advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys and to plan ahead this weekend. The motorcycle procession starts at the iconic Ace Cafe in London, with bikers joining at other rendezvous points including the Oxford Welcome Break Services at junction 8A on the M40, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham and northbound M6 Moto Services at Knutsford between junctions 11 and 12. National Highways Northwest Operations Manager Dee Murray said: 'We are advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys with thousands more bikers than usual travelling across the motorway network this weekend. 'The M6 will be particularly busy, especially at junction 36 with the procession making its way along the A590 to Barrow, but also earlier at Knutsford Services, where motorcyclists travelling from the south will gather before completing their journeys north. 'We urge road users to take extra care with motorcyclists travelling in convoys. Safety advice can be found on our website under our TRIP and BikerTek campaigns.' TRAGIC DEATH Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers died on February 28, 2024 aged 66. The beloved TV chef had battled cancer since 2022, bravely updating fans about his illness. Hairy Bikers star Si King makes heartbreaking confession 10 months after Dave Myers's death - as he lands new ITV job Dave found fame alongside Si King, his friend of 30 years, as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo. His co-star announced the tragic news in a statement, prompting a flurry of emotional tributes from celebrity friends and fans alike. Posting on Twitter, Si said: "Hi everyone, I'm afraid I bear some sad news. "Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years. "Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave's wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home. "All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own. "Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can't follow. "I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime. "I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya." 4 National Highways has advised motorists to allow more time for their journeys
