The Highways Agency has suspended or paused roadworks to ensure 98% of England’s motorways and major A roads will be free of roadworks.

The Highways Agency will be clearing 7 out of 10 sets of roadworks to help minimise congestion and smooth journeys over the bank holiday weekend. More than 150 miles of roadworks will be completed by Thursday 17 April and over 165 miles of roadworks are being suspended until Tuesday 22 April.

Simon Sheldon-Wilson, Director of Traffic Management at the Agency, said: “We are investing record amounts in improvements on our network and recognise there will be disruption. That is why we plan our work to keep that disruption to a minimum and lift as many roadworks as possible at busy or peak times such as Easter. People will be able to travel more freely this weekend as more than 300 miles of roadworks are completed or suspended on our roads.

“Before setting out, we ask people to plan their journeys and make use of the range of traffic information services we provide to ensure the Easter getaway is as smooth as possible.”

Maundy Thursday evening and Easter Monday afternoon are usually the busiest over the bank holiday weekend, especially on the main holiday routes, as people set out and return from short breaks or day trips.

In all, 60 sets of roadworks are due to be completed on the Highways Agency’s roads ahead of the Easter break. A further 33 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions are due to be removed between 6am on Thursday 17 April and will not be put back before 12:01am on Tuesday 22 April. Lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain in place at 36 locations for the safety of drivers and their passengers.

The improvement work being carried out forms part of the Government’s investment in infrastructure and represents the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s. It aims to reduce congestion on the strategic road network, which is estimated to cost the economy £3 billion each year, and make journeys easier in order to help build a stronger economy.

Highways Agency traffic officers will be visible on the motorways and on standby to deal with any incidents and keep traffic moving so disruption is kept to a minimum.

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