16/12/2011

Roadworks To Be Lifted For Christmas

Christmas commuters will be pleased to learn the Highways Agency is to complete more than 500 miles of roadworks on England’s motorways and major A roads next week.

The agency said 118 sets of roadworks are due to be completed ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday period, while a further 19 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions are due to be removed by Friday December 23.

However, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain in place at 26 locations for the safety of drivers and their passengers, including the M1 near Luton and on the M25 where widening work will continue over the holiday period.

Transport secretary Justine Greening said: "Christmas is one of the busiest times on our roads and that's why we will be completing or lifting roadworks wherever possible to help people get back to see their families and loved ones.

“More than 98% of the strategic road network will be roadworks free, meaning that more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted.

"The Highways Agency is well prepared for winter, but experience from recent years shows that we must all play our part. I'd urge all drivers to make time for winter and visit the Highways Agency's website, where there are lots of tips to help keep winter journeys safe and trouble free."

The Agency said it will continue to offer a range of traffic information services to help road users plan their seasonal journeys and its Traffic Officers will be on patrol throughout the holiday period, to help clear up any incidents as quickly as possible.

(DW)

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