At the Bogorodica border crossing the wait to leave the country is around 45 minutes this morning. At the other crossings on the Macedonian side there are no longer delays either entering or leaving, the Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Macedonia reports.

Traffic on state roads is flowing normally on dry surfaces, but volumes outside urban areas are up - the last week of August brings back the same picture we know by heart. AMSM advises adjusted speeds and careful driving through basins, river valleys and gorges, where there is a risk of rockfall. The Katlanovo – Veles, Mavrovo – Debar – Struga, Vinica – Berovo and Kocani – Delcevo sections are singled out.

What applies to trucks until the end of the month

The summer regime for freight vehicles over 15 tonnes stays in force until 31 August. The ban applies on Fridays from 17:00 to 22:00, Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 09:00 to 22:00. In extreme heat the restriction also applies Monday to Thursday, between 11:00 and 17:00.

On the Skopje – Ohrid – Skopje route the ban covers trucks over 7.5 tonnes and runs until 1 September: Fridays from 15:00 to 22:00, Saturdays from 07:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00, and Sundays from 07:00 to 22:00.

Where to expect an altered regime

Because of slope repair work on the A4 motorway, traffic before the Preod toll station on the Miladinovci – Sveti Nikole – Stip section is running under an altered regime until 1 October. Construction work and bridge repairs are also under way on the A2 route near the village of Zelino and on the Gostivar – Straza section, at the Atanasova Reka and Dol viaducts. On the Skopje ring road near Volkovo and Kondovo the carriageway is being rehabilitated, and on the Kicevo – Ohrid road traffic is running on diversions.

Forty-five minutes at Bogorodica is not a catastrophe - that is a good morning for August. But notice what the statement actually contains: one number for the border, and a full list of sections being dug up, repaired and driven around. Summer is ending. The roadworks are not.