Most roadworks will stay for bank holiday

Friday 28th August 2009, 11:30AM BST.

Just two sets of roadworks will be lifted on the region’s main motorways this weekend as thousands of motorists go away for the bank holiday.

The Highways Agency is leaving six sets of roadworks in place but promises delays of no more than 10 minutes. Meanwhile, 1,000 miles of train track will be out of use as Network Rail uses the traditionally quieter period to do routine maintenance.

And a late booking surge means that 70,000 people will fly from Birmingham International Airport in search of summer sun.

Top destinations are Majorca and Ibiza, mainland Spain, Turkey, Portugal and the Greek islands.

Throughout the country, the Highways Agency has finished 22 sets of roadworks, and a further 31 are being suspended between today and Tuesday. Roadworks at 40 locations will remain in place.

In the West Midlands, roadworks on the A5 near Cannock and A49/M6 junction 2 at Coventry are being lifted.

Derek Turner, director of network operations, said: “We expect the roads to the main holiday centres, ports and airports will be busy, so we’re doing everything we can to help drivers. We have removed as many roadworks as possible and provide a number of information services to help road users plan their journeys.”

Engineering work scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday that would have affected Wrexham & Shropshire train services, which pick up passengers at Tame Bridge Parkway, have been cancelled.

Passengers travelling to Euston from Wolverhampton or Birmingham New Street will have to use buses between Coventry and Northampton tomorrow and Sunday as Network Rail carries out maintenance work. Most Virgin Trains services will start and end at Birmingham International.

A limited Virgin Trains service will run between London Euston, Coventry and Birmingham International via High Wycombe.



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