M6 roadworks between Great Barr and Spaghetti Junction to stop for festive getaway
Roadworks in the West Midlands are among 448 miles of works being competed or lifted during the festive period - including on a notoriously busy stretch of the M6.
Highways England will finish on 115 miles in the Midlands – leaving 98 per cent of its 9,534-mile network free of roadworks in time for the Christmas getaway.
The authority is completing 407 and suspending 41 miles of roadworks by 6am on December 23 until January 3 to help people get away this Christmas with as little disruption as possible.
Among work being stopped will be that between junctions six and eight of the M6 from Spaghetti Junction at the Aston Expressway and Great Barr with the link for the M5.
Two miles of roadworks will be lifted for the festive period.
Highways England operations director, Nick Harris said: "This Christmas bank holiday, we're helping drivers with their journeys by clearing roadworks on most of our motorways and major A-roads.
"Our traffic officers will also be on patrol working to clear any incidents, the vast majority of which will be dealt with in under an hour.
"We're asking people to be prepared before setting off. Make sure you have everything you need for your journey should there be any delays, check before and during your journey and also make sure you're aware of the signs and signals on motorways."
By suspending or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions will be lifted.
Key schemes which are being completed in time for Christmas include the £191 million improvement scheme at Catthorpe junction 19 of the M1, work to upgrade 5.4 miles of the M1 between junction 34 for Meadowhall and Rotherham, and junction 35a for the A616 Stocksbridge bypass in Sheffield.
Other major areas where work will stop include the Chain Bar junction where the M62 meets the M606, and the M25 £100m junction upgrade where the motorway meets the A13 in Essex, near the Lakeside shopping centre and retail park.
Information on the roadworks comes as Virgin Trains reveal its level of services of the festive period. The operator will provide no services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
On December 27, three trains an hour will go between Wolverhampton and London Euston.
More information on roadworks over Christmas can be found on the Traffic England website or by calling the information line on 0300 123 5000.
