Highways England is preparing to lift and complete hundreds of miles of roadworks this week in time for the Christmas getaway.

Almost 400 miles of roadworks across England will be lifted and completed in December, leaving almost 99% of motorways and strategic A roads roadworks-free in time for Christmas.

All roadworks will be lifted or completed by 6am on December 22 until 12.01am on January 2 to minimise traffic disruption over Christmas.

Highways England's decision has be praised by the UK’s largest coach operator, National Express.

Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express Coach, said: “We’ll be moving hundreds of thousands of passengers around the UK during the festive period, including on Christmas and Boxing Day when there are no rail services; and New Year’s Day.

“We work with Highways England round the year to support them in maintaining and improving the road network so that we can offer our customers a reliable and convenient service.

“It’s great that they’ve lifted road works during a busy time for travel, helping us to make sure we can get passengers where they want to be for Christmas.”

Highways England is also calling on motorists to do their bit before getting behind the wheel.

Melanie Clarke, customer service director at Highways England, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible this Christmas and that’s why we’re keeping 99% of the road network we manage, free from roadworks.

“Safety is our top imperative and we know from experience that almost half of breakdowns are avoidable and these can easily be avoided with simple checks.

"Christmas is always a busy period on the road network and we’d urge all motorists to make sure they do their bit to check their vehicle is roadworthy before setting off over the festive period.”

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