Highways England is continuing its programme of suspending roadworks during peak holiday travel periods.
Highways England aims to complete or lift 188 sets of roadworks from Friday 27 May – leaving 97.4% of its 9,534-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays. (Click here to see a map showing the locations of lifted and completed schemes)
The government is investing £15billion to deliver the biggest upgrade to motorways and major A-roads in a generation. Building new roads and creating smart motorways that keep traffic moving even in the busiest periods will cut congestion.
Highways England is delivering the upgrade and taking action now to reduce delays over this bank holiday break.
Key schemes which are being completed include 2.5 miles of repairs at junction 15 near Heathrow and six miles of work on the M6 southbound near Penkridge between junctions 13 and 12.
In addition, work on the M23 between junctions 9 and 11 near Gatwick is being stopped for the break.
Roads minister Andrew Jones said: “We are delivering the biggest improvement to roads since the 1970s to improve journeys for drivers in the busiest periods and to create new capacity.
“We do not want work to stand in the way of families during their bank holiday getaway, so I am pleased roadworks are being removed at so many locations.”
Highways England director of operations, Mike Wilson, added: “This May bank holiday, we’re helping drivers with their journeys by clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England.
“As a parent, I know all too well how challenging a long journey with young children especially can be, so we’re keen to do what we can do to help families enjoy the late spring break.
“We’ve worked closely with other transport providers to ensure our network can cope with increased demand.
“Of course, we still advise drivers to plan their journeys, check the latest traffic and travel updates, and the weather forecast, before setting out.”
People travelling with caravans and trailers are also urged to check their vehicles before they take to the roads for the first time this year – especially their tyres, to ensure they are not worn or damaged – to help avoid a potential breakdown or incident and help keep traffic flowing.
Highways England will complete 405 miles of roadworks at 136 locations before the bank holiday.
A further 52 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be removed across 184 miles of carriageway by 6am on Friday 27 May, until just after midnight on Tuesday 31 May.
By suspending or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many of the associated speed restrictions will be lifted.
For the safety of drivers and their passengers, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain at 56 locations.
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