Plan for future traffic warnings

Tourism chiefs believe worries over traffic chaos lost the region £6m

South West tourism chiefs are planning to work more closely with motoring organisations over future traffic warnings.

The move follows the recent August Bank Holiday when it is thought many tourists were put off travelling to the region by traffic forecasts.

South West Tourism leaders say they have had what they describe as "useful and constructive" discussions with the AA.

The group believes scaremongering over Bank Holiday traffic chaos could have cost the region up to £6m in lost revenue.

Accurate and helpful

They say the forecast of widespread gridlock situations and predicted tailbacks could have deterred up to 35,000 visitors from heading to the region.

In the build-up to future periods of heavy traffic, such as the Easter Weekend and the August Bank holiday, South West Tourism will work together with the AA.

They hope to ensure traffic forecasting is accurate and helpful but not exaggerated or written in a way which could deter holidaymakers.