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Bank holiday traffic: 600 miles of roadworks to be lifted

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Nearly 600 miles of roadworks will be lifted on motorways and major A-roads to help families have smoother journeys over the bank holiday and half-term break, it has been revealed.

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Highways England said it aimed to complete or lift 188 sets of roadworks from Friday – leaving 97.4 per cent of its 9,534-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays.

It includes a six-mile stretch on the M6 south from junction 13 to junction 12 near Penkridge in Wolverhampton which bosses say will be completed in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Highways England's director of operations, Mike Wilson, said: "This May bank holiday, we're helping drivers with their journeys by clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England.

"As a parent, I know all too well how challenging a long journey with young children especially can be, so we're keen to do what we can do to help families enjoy the late spring break.

"We've worked closely with other transport providers to ensure our network can cope with increased demand.

"Of course, we still advise drivers to plan their journeys, check the latest traffic and travel updates, and the weather forecast, before setting out."

People travelling with caravans and trailers are also urged to check their vehicles before they take to the roads for the first time this year – especially their tyres, to ensure they are not worn or damaged – to help avoid a potential breakdown or incident and help keep traffic flowing.

Highways England will complete 405 miles of roadworks at 136 locations before the bank holiday.

A further 52 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be removed across 184 miles of carriageway by 6am on Friday, until just after midnight on May 31.

By suspending or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many of the associated speed restrictions will be lifted.

For the safety of drivers and their passengers, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain at 56 locations.

Drivers can get the latest travel information from www.trafficengland.com

The government is investing £15billion to upgrade motorways and major A-roads.

Building new roads and creating smart motorways that keep traffic moving even in the busiest periods will cut congestion, ministers say.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: "We are delivering the biggest improvement to roads since the 1970s to improve journeys for drivers in the busiest periods and to create new capacity.

"We do not want work to stand in the way of families during their bank holiday getaway, so I am pleased roadworks are being removed at so many locations."