Easter travel eased as the Highways Agency lifts road works
Easter holidaymakers will travel more freely during the bank holiday weekend as 98% of England’s motorways and major A roads will be free of road works.
The Highways Agency will be clearing 7 out of 10 sets of road works to help minimise congestion and smooth journeys over the bank holiday weekend.
Simon Sheldon-Wilson, Director of Traffic Management at the Agency, said:
We are investing record amounts in improvements on our network and recognise there will be disruption. That is why we plan our work to keep that disruption to a minimum and lift as many road works as possible at busy or peak times such as Easter. People will be able to travel more freely this weekend as more than 300 miles of road works are completed or suspended on our roads.
Before setting out, we ask people to plan their journeys and make use of the range of traffic information services we provide to ensure the Easter getaway is as smooth as possible.
Maundy Thursday evening and Easter Monday afternoon are usually the busiest over the bank holiday weekend, especially on the main holiday routes, as people set out and return from short breaks or day trips.
In all, 60 sets of road works are due to be completed on the Highways Agency’s roads ahead of the Easter break. A further 33 sets of road works and lane restrictions are due to be removed between 6:00am on Thursday 17 April and will not be put back before 12:01am on Tuesday 22 April. Lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain in place at 36 locations for the safety of drivers and their passengers.
The improvement work being carried out forms part of the Government’s investment in infrastructure and represents the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s. It aims to reduce congestion on the strategic road network, which is estimated to cost the economy £3 billion each year, and make journeys easier in order to help build a stronger economy.
Highways Agency traffic officers will be visible on the motorways and on standby to deal with any incidents and keep traffic moving so disruption is kept to a minimum.
The Highways Agency provides information services to help people check traffic conditions for the motorways and other strategic roads. Live traffic information is available through www.highways.gov.uk, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. The Agency provides regional Twitter feeds for live traffic information, available on Twitter.
Road users can also call the Highways Agency Information Line (0300 123 5000) to keep up to date with road conditions Road works remaining at 36 locations for 185 miles over the Easter bank holiday for safety reasons
M5 J11a-12 (near Gloucester) Replacement of bridge deck 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes set up within contraflow - 4 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Exposed bridge decks
M5 J10 -11 (near Cheltenham) Concrete repairs to bridge foundations 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 1.5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and exposed bridge decks
M5 J11a-12 (near Gloucester) Concrete repairs to bridge foundations 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 0.5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and exposed bridge decks
M3 J4a - 5 (near Fleet) Bridge repairs 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes and hard shoulder running - 6 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and exposed bridge decks
M4 J10-11 (near Reading) Bridge deck repairs 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes and hard shoulder running - 7.5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and exposed bridge decks
M3 J4 to J3 (near Frimley) Major motorway improvements Temporary vehicle restraint barrier in place on the hard shoulder - 0.5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Temporary vehicle restraint barrier will remain in place on the hard shoulder
A23 from B2114 to B2115 (near Haywards Heath) Major widening works 40mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 4.8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Major widening works ongoing
M25 J5 to J7 (near Sevenoaks) Major motorway improvements to 4 Lanes running 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 11.25 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Traffic management is provided with 3 lanes running with new lane 1 coned off
M25 25- 27 (near Potters Bar) Conversion of existing 3 lane motorway to 4 lane all lane running using hard shoulder 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 17 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Incomplete safety fencing, excavations and incomplete technology
A11 from A1065 to A134 (near Thetford) Construction and refurbishment of new and existing carriageways 40mph speed restriction - 9.6 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: For the safety of road users and construction workers
A120 Marks Tey (near Marks Tey) Bridge parapet improvements 40mph speed restriction, lane closures and temporary traffic signals overnight - 0.2 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: For safety reasons
A45 Wilby Way (near Wellingborough) Roundabout improvements 30mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
M1 J16 (near Northampton) Vehicle restraint system and drainage works 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 3.3 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavation and danger of soil slip
M1 J15-14 (near Northampton) Motorway embankment works 50mph speed restriction, hard shoulder closure and narrow lanes - 5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: To avoid full road closures and disruption
A38 Little Eaton (near Derby) Roundabout improvements 30mph speed restriction, lane closures and narrow lanes - 3 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Incomplete slip road construction
M1 J19 (near Catthorpe) Major junction improvements 50mph speed limit, lane closures and narrow lanes - 1.85 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Major improvement works, open excavations and incomplete barrier
A14 J7 - 9 (near Kettering) Carriageway widening 40mph speed restiction, narrow lanes and contraflow in place - 4.2 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
M1 J28 - 31 (near Chesterfield) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes, hardshoulder running and a lane closure - 14.4 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and removal of central reservation barrier
A453 (near Nottingham) Widening of existing single carriageway to dual carriageway 40mph speed restiction, narrow lanes and temporary barrier restraint in place - 5.6 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and bridge protection during construction
A453 (near Nottingham) Carriageway widening 30mph speed restriction, narrow lanes and temporary barrier restraint in place - 1.8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
A1 Biggleswade (near Biggleswade) Improvements to the roundabout Narrow lanes and 50mph speed restriction - 2 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Ongoing excavation and construction works
M1 J10a (near Luton) Improvements to the roundabout Narrow lanes and 50mph speed restriction - 1 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Ongoing excavation and construction works
M1 J14 (near Milton Keynes) Improvements to interchange Lane closures - 0.5 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: For safety reasons while ongoing work takes place
M54 J1-3 (near Wolverhampton) Widening of carriageway; new over bridges; widening existing bridges, construction of new slip roads Hardshoulder closures with 50mph speed restriction - 4.3 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations, permanent vehicle restraint systems removed
A45 Stonebridge Highway (near Coventry) New slip road construction 40mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 0.75 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
A46 End Rountabout (near Coventry) Major improvement works 40mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 0.75 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
M6 J10A -13 (near Cannock) Upgrading the infrastructure to all lane running for smart motorway 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 20 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Temporary barrier restraint systems which need to remain in situ whilst existing barrier removed
M5 J4a-6 (near Birmingham) Reconstruction of central reserve and associated drainage works 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes, lane closures and hard shoulder running - 14 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
M6 J20-21a (near Warrington) Replacement of bridge joints on the viaduct 40mph speed restriction, lane closures, narrow lanes and contraflow in place - 2.3 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Contraflow running for entire length of scheme
M56 J7-10 (near Warrington) Replacement of barrier, surface and drainage works 50mph speed restriction, lane closures and narrow lanes - 5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Removal and replacement of the central reserve barrier
M62 J30 - 32 (near Wakefield) Upgrading communications infrastructure and installation of new variable message sign gantries 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations, prevention of unsafe manoeuvres and exposured structures
M1 J39 - 42 (near Wakefield) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier and converting to a smart motorway 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations, prevention of unsafe manoeuvres and to stop cross over incidents due to removal of central reservation barrier
M1 J28 - 31 (near Sheffield) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier and converting to a smart motorway 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes, hardhoulder running and lane closure - 10.8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and preventation of unsafe manoeuvres
M1 J34 (near Sheffield) Barrier renewal scheme 50mph speed restriction, narrow lanes, hard shoulder running and lane closure - 2.5 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations and prevention of unsafe manoeuvres
M6 J37 to 39 (near Tebay) Bridge works 40mph speed restriction and lane closures with contraflow in place - 4.5 miles of road works - Moderate delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Open excavations
A1 J56 -J50 (near Leeming) Widening to create new dual 3 lane motorway 50mph speed restriction and narrow lanes - 2.8 miles of road works - Nil to slight delays expected Reason road works cannot be lifted for Easter: Change of line markings and central barrier removed
Road works completed at 60 locations for 154 miles for the Easter bank holiday
M4 J18-17 (near Bath) Replacement of overhead cabling 9 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M48 J1 - 2 (near Chepstow) Joint maintenance 1.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M32 J2-1 (near Bristol) Resurfacing 2.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M49 (M4 J22 to M5 J18a) (near Pilning) Joint maintenance 5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A36 Cotley Hill (near Fisherton) Resurfacing 6 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A46 Hartley Bends (near Bath) Signage and resurfacing 4 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A417 Zoon Court (near Gloucester) Resurfacing 1.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A3 Hinehead (near Hindhead) Tunnel power upgrade 4 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A2 between Darenth and Bean (near Dartford) Joint replacement on viaduct 4 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A259 East Guldeford (near Rye) Railway level crossing work 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A2 Barham (near Barham) Cabling work 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A21 between Stonecrouch and Kent Street (near Flimwell) Carriageway investigations 2 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A27 Busticle Lane (near Worthing) Electrical signage work 1.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A2 Barham (near Barham) Carriageway investigations 0.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M2 J5 - 6 (near Sittingbourne) Carriageway investigations 4 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M20 J5 - 7 (near Maidstone) Carriageway investigations 6.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A27 Berwick to Lewes (near Lewes) Signage works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A27 Southwick (near Southwick) Routine tunnel inspection 3 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M20 J4 - 7 (near Maidstone) Electrical works 3 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A27 Lewes Road (near Alciston) Cabling and joint work for a new internet connection 0.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M1 J6 (near Bricket Wood) Carriageway resurfacing 0.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M25 J8 (near Reigate ) Traffic signal replacement 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M25 J23-25 (near Potters Bar) Conversion of existing 3 lane motorway to lane all running 8.1 (s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A12 Station Square (near Lowestoft) Junction widening and installation of traffic signals 0.3 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A14 J43 (near Bury St Edmonds) Cycle bridge construction 3.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 / A1(M) J17 (near Orton Southgate) Road widening 0.3 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A11 A14 to A1065 (near Newmarket) White lining and work on road studs 5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A47 A149 to A1122 (near King’s Lynn) Resurfacing works 8 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M1 J21 (near Leicester) Signal works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M1 J18-16 (near Rugby) Survey works 2.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 A1/A46/A17 (near Newark On Trent) Carriageway resurfacing 2.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A5 - M69 J1 (near Nuneaton) Signal works 1.25 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A5 Weedon (near Northampton) Footway works 1.25 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A5 Crick - Old Stratford (near Rugby) Verge works 5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A14 Catthorpe (near Rugby) Signal works 1.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A43 Towcester (near Towcester) Electrical works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A45 - M1 J15 (near Northampton) Signal works 0.75 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A46 - M1 J21a (near Leicester) Safety barrier maintenance 5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A46 Widmerpool - Cossington (near Loughbrough) Carriageway renewal 2.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A46 Hobby Horse (near Leicester) Signal works 0.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A52 J25 (M1) (near Derby) Bridge works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 Beeston (near Sandy) Slip road widening 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M11 J14 (near Cambridge) Drainage works 2 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M6 J8 (near Walsall) Bridge expansion joint replacements 1.6 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1(M) J36 (near Doncaster) Resurfacing works 0.2 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A63 South Coates to Garrison (near Hull) Resurfacing works 0.6 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M18 Ings to M180 J1 (near Doncaster) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier 2.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M1 J35a - 36 (near Barnsley) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier 5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M18 J2 (near Doncaster) Central reservation upgrade to concrete barrier 1.9 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M6 J41 (near Penrith) Resurfacing works 2 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
M6 J44 (near Carlisle) Concrete repairs 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A66 (near Keswick) Resurfacing works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A66 (near Keswick) Special inspection works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1M J60 - 61 (near Durham) Renewal works 6 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1M J60 - 62 (near Durham) Fence renewal works 6 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A66 Little Burdon to Long Newton (near Stockon on Tees) Improvement works 3.5 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 Seaton Burn to Shotton (near Cramlington) Lay-by improvements 2.75 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 Coalhouse Interchange (near Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Signal works 1 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A66 Neasham Road to Morton Palms (near Darlington) Trimming branches between overhead cables 0.25 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
A1 East Ord (near Berwick-upon-Tweed) Bridge inspection 0.75 mile(s) of road works completed for Easter bank holiday
Road works lifted at 33 locations for 165 miles over the Easter bank holiday
A20 Roundhill (near Folkestone) Signage improvement work 13 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A2070 (near South Willesborough) Cycleway installation 3 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A2070 (near Sevington) New junction construction for new housing estate 1 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A21 (near Tonbridge) Concrete repairs and bearing replacement 1 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A23 (near Pyecombe) Drainage repair work 7.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A259 (near Bexhill-on-Sea) Link road construction 0.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A27 (near Chichester) Drainage repair work 5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A27 (near Chichester) Junction modifications for new housing estate 6 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M23 J8 (near Crawley) Carriageway reconstruction 2 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A1 J1 (near Borehamwood ) Carriageway resurfacing 0.3 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A282 QE II Bridge (near Dartford) Bridge joint repairs 2.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A30 Crooked Billet roundabout (near Staines) Footway / cycleway works 1 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A282 J1A - 31 (near Dartford) Upgrading of tunnels 2 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A5 Caldercote (near Nuneaton) Signage works 2.75 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A38 Markeaton (near Derby) Junction improvement works 0.25 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M1 J21 (near Leicester) New bridge construction 0.75 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A43 Tusmore - Cherwell Valley (near Bicester) Carriageway repairs 1.75 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A5 Bow Brickhill roundabout (near Milton Keynes) Improvements to roundabout 1 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A5 (near Lichfield) Carriageway improvements 0.6 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M6 J13-15 (near Stafford) Drainage works 32.3 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M6 J14-16 (near Stafford) Safety barrier works 8.7 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M6 J15-16 (near Stoke-on-Trent) Resurfacing 6.7 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M42 J10 (near Tamworth) Junction improvement works 9.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M54 J7 (near Telford) Barrier works 13 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M42 J1 (near Bromsgrove) Works access for off network works 3 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A46 (near Ashchurch) Provision of an additional lane 2 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A49 (near Shrewsbury) Installation of pedestrian crossing. 0.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M6 J16 -19 (near Sandbach) Major motorway improvements 19.25 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A61/A616 Westwood roundabout (near Sheffield) Signage works 3.6 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M621 J27-1 (near Leeds) Carriageway resurfacing 3 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
M6 J41-42 (near Carlisle) CCTV survey works 4.5 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A66 (near Brough) CCTV survey works 2 mile(s) of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
A1(M) J61-63 (near Durham) Carriageway repairs 5.5 miles of road works lifted for Easter bank holiday
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer