National Highways lifts 500-plus miles of roadworks for bank holiday

With the August bank holiday set to be the busiest seen on UK roads, National Highways will lift more than 500 miles of roadworks in an effort to ease congestion.

The RAC is estimating that 19.2 million leisure trips by car will be made over the August bank holiday weekend – the highest number on record.

It is warning fleets that Saturday (August 24) is set to be the busiest on the roads with 3.7 million getaway trips planned, with 3.2 million on Friday (August 23), 3.1 million on Sunday (August 25) and 3 million on bank holiday Monday (August 26).

Furthermore, it says that 6.2 million trips are planned at some point over the long weekend, with drivers undecided exactly when they will travel.

The 19.2m figure is the highest number of ‘getaway’ trips predicted for the August Bank Holiday since the RAC began recording data for this weekend nine years ago.

National Highways says that almost 97% of the network will be free from roadworks over the weekend, with 512 miles of works lifted.

National network manager at National Highways, Dale Hipkiss, said: “We anticipate the roads will be busier than usual this August bank holiday, with seaside resorts, airports and theme parks amongst some of the most popular destinations.

“People heading to Europe via the Kent ports for some last-minute sun should also check before they travel and leave plenty of extra time as routes in Kent are expected to be busier.”

The roadworks will be removed by 6am on Friday (August 23) and put back into place from 12.01am on Tuesday (August 27).

Future of roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “It’s great that National Highways is lifting roadworks so that everyone can enjoy smooth journeys over the bank holiday.

“This Government will deliver a safe, reliable, free-flowing road network, delivering for the taxpayer and driving opportunities across the country.”

She added: “Thank you to those working on the network who have been making sure that roads are in good condition for people to have safe journeys without disruption.”

For a list of roadworks being lifted over the August bank holiday weekend, click here.