Almost 400 miles of Highways Agency roadworks will cease over Christmas and the New Year to help festive journeys go smoothly.

The agency aims to complete or lift 156 schemes by December 23 – leaving 97 per cent of the agency’s 9,628-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays. 

Highways Agency Director of Customer Operations, Simon Sheldon-Wilson, said: “This Christmas, we’re helping road users make important journeys to see family and friends by clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England.

“This will be a great help to people travelling over the festive period – by lifting or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many of the associated speed restrictions will also be lifted.

“We advise drivers to plan longer journeys before setting out, making sure you check weather and travel conditions.

"It’s also worth packing an emergency winter kit in your boot before making any seasonal journeys this Christmas. Make sure you’ve got de-icer, an ice-scraper, warm clothes, boots and a torch, in case your vehicle breaks down.”

To help drivers, the Highways Agency will complete 264 miles of roadworks at 107 locations before the holiday.

A further 49 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be removed across 118 miles of carriageway by 6am on Tuesday, December 23, until midnight on Friday, January 2.

This year the agency says it is doing more work than ever to improve the condition of its network, reduce congestion and provide real long-term benefits for drivers.

But as a record amount of money is being invested this means there are more roadworks – with 219 schemes this Christmas compared to 172 last year.

Drivers can get the latest travel information from www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, winter driving advice at www.metoffice.gov.uk/winterhighways, and winter updates at www.facebook.com/winterhighways