Press release

400 miles of roadworks removed for Christmas getaway

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

The Agency aims to complete or lift 156 schemes by December 23 – leaving 97.2% of the Agency’s 9,628-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays. (you can see a map showing the locations of lifted and suspended schemes).

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

A record amount of money is being invested in the Agency’s roads, but this means there are more roadworks on the ground – with 219 schemes this Christmas compared to 172 last year.

Drivers need to plan and allow sufficient time for their journeys. For the safety of drivers and their passengers, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain at 63 locations. (You can see a map showing the location of remaining schemes).

To give drivers as much information as possible to plan their trips, the Agency has also flagged potential holiday routes which could get busy between December 21 and January 1 (view the full list. This information will go out alongside festive facts on Twitter (@winterhighways) over the Christmas period.

In the meantime, 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.

The full list of schemes which will be completed, lifted or left in place over the Christmas period is as follows:

Completed

M4 J18 EB between exit and entry slips (near Bath) Resurfacing of carriageway 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M5 J11a-J12 (near Gloucester) Replacement of bridge deck 4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M5 J21-J22 (near Weston Super Mare) Replacement of centre concrete barrier 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A303 (near Hayes End) Resurfacing of carriageway 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A40 (near Gloucester) Signing and lining upgrades to roundabout 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A34 / M40 J9 (near Bicester) Pinch Point Programme Junction Improvement 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 (near Worthing) Tunnel Inspection 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A20 (unnamed road) (near Dover) Carriageway new line marking safety improvement 7.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A21 between Vinehall Street and Kent Street (near Hastings) Speed safety inspection / survey 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A21 Pillory Corner (near Tunbridge Wells) Drainage inspection 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 Shoreham By-pass (near Worthing) Tunnel maintenance 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 Manor Road (near Worthing) Lighting repairs 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 Arundel / Crossbush (near Chichester) Drainage 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 Manor Road (near Chichester) Cycleway work 2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M20 J10 -11 (near Ashford) Stabilisation of embankment slope 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M20 J5 - 6 (near Maidstone) Drainage work 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M23 J8 (near Crawley) Stabilisation of embankment slope 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A2 Ebbsfleet (near Gravesend) Lighting renewal 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A20 The Viaduct (near Dover) Pavement Investigation 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A20 Wellsley Road (near Dover) Pavement Investigation 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A23 (un-named road) (near Crawley) Resurfacing work 13 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A27 Lewes Road (near Brighton) Pavement Investigation 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M20 (un-named road) (near Folkestone) Advanced signing 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M23 (unnamed road) (near Crawley) Barrier replacement work 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M25 J30 to Wennington (near Thurrock) Lane 1 closure for A13 average speed camera work 3.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A13 from Junction with A1089 to Junction with M25 (near Thurrock) Lane 1 and 2 closure for A13 Average speed camera work 12.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1M J4-J6 (near Hertfordshire) Total closure for resurfacing, lining, road studs and gantry works 2.75 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M25 J30 / A13 (near Dartford) Average speed camera installation 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A11 (A1065 junction to junction with London Road Thetford) (near Mildenhall / Thetford) Dualling improvement construction 9 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A14 J47 (near Bury St Edmunds) Resurfacing 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A120 Houchins Lane Junction (near Braintree) Junction improvements - signing 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A14 J47 (near Bury St Edmunds) Stabilisation of embankment slope 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M1 J22-21A (near Leicester) Bridge work 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M1 J20-J21 (near Leicester) Bridge work 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1 Colsterworth - Great Casterton (near Stamford) Survey work 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Kilsby to Watford Gap (near Rugby) Drainage work 2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Daventry (near Daventry) Carriageway repairs 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Weedon - Tove (near Towcester) Carriageway improvement work 2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Upper Stowe (near Towcester) Carriageway repair work 0.25 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Old Stratford (near Milton Keynes) Clearing site of weeds prior to drainage scheme 0.25 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A6 Thurlston (near Derby) Carriageway resurfacing 0.25 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A14 J12 (near Kettering) Carriageway resurfacing 0.75 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A14 J1-J4 (near Market Harborough) Drainage survey 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A38 Little Eaton (near Derby) Landscaping of roundabout & verges, planting trees, shrubs & seeding 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A43 Towcester - Rothersthorpe (near Towcester) Signing work 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A45 Weston Favell - Great Doddington (near Northampton) Barrier work 2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A45 Great Doddington (near Wellingborough) Survey work 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A46 Newark On Trent (near Newark On Trent) Resurfacing and signage work 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A46 Brough - Swinderby (near Newark On Trent) Drainage Survey 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A52 Whatton (near Bingham) Drainage work 1.3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A52 Clifton Bridge (near Nottingham) Carriageway repairs 0.25 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A14 J21 to Ellington (near Huntingdon) Ditch maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 A422 / A508 Jct (near Stoney Stratford) Bridge maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 B658 to A6001 (near Biggleswade) Ditch maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A5 Mile End (near Shrewsbury) Junction/island improvements 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A49 Onibury (near Ludlow) Carriageway improvements 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A49 Bromfield (near Ludlow) Junction improvements 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A38 Claymills (near Claymills) Drainage work 1.1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A38 Alrewas (near Alrewas) Drainage work 0.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A38 Branston (near Branston) Lighting renewal 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A449 Ross (near Ross-on-Wye) Junction and pavement work 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A46 Twyford (near Evesham) Sign renewal 10 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M42 J4-J5 (near Solihull) Upgrade to cameras 4.7 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M54 J1-J3 (near Wolverhampton) Junction improvements 4.8 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M5 J5-J4a (near Bromsgrove) Installation of fog detectors 2.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J4-J3 (near Bedworth) Carriageway resurfacing 5.7 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A46 Sedgeberrow (near Evesham) Carriageway resurfacing 2.1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M56 J3a (near Sharston) Bridge parapet replacement 0.55 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M60 J24 / M67 Jct 1 This is where the M60 links into the M67 (near Manchester) Remodeling of M60 J24 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M1 J36-J37 (near Barnsley) Drainage renewal work 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M62 J22-J23 (near Huddersfield) Installation of CCTV camera 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A64 Fulford (near York) Barrier renewal work 1.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A64 Staxton (near Scarborough) Resurfacing work 0.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A628 Saltersbrook (near Barnsley) Landslip restraining & prevention 0.2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M180 J3 to M181 Frodingham (near Scunthorpe) Barrier repairs 3.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A64 High Hutton (near York) Traffic sign renewal 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J44 southbound (near Carlisle) Drainage repairs 3.3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J36-J37 (near Sedburgh) Sign renewal 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J40-J39 (near Penrith) Sign assembly 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J44-J45 (near Carlisle) Resurfacing work 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Chapel Brow (near Stainburn) Resurfacing work 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Lamplugh to Lorton (near Cockermouth) Filter drain replacement and repairs 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Troutbeck to Rheged (near Penrith) Sign renewal 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A590 Hincaster (near Hincaster) Replace contaminated / silted filter media and damaged pipework 3.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A590 Newby bridge (near Newby Bridge) Resurfacing work 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A590 Dalton in Furness (near Dalton in Furness) Verge improvement work 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A595 Parton (near Parton) Signing improvement 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A595 Egremont Link (near Egremont) Construction of new footway 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A595 Nursery Road (near Blackbeck) Resurfacing work 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J32-J33 (near Blackpool) Concrete repairs to bridge 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M6 J33-J34 (near Lancaster) Concrete survey work 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

M55 J4-J3 (near Blackpool) Concrete survey work 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A585 Amounderness Way (from Bourne Way Junction to West Drive) (near Thornton) Widening and improvements 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Bass Lake (near Keswick) Installation of rock netting and bolts 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1M J62 Carville - J63 Blind Lane (near Durham) Bridge maintenance 22 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1M J63 Blind Lane - J62 Carville (near Durham) Resurfacing 5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1 Duns Road to Highfields Roundabout (near Berwick-upon-Tweed) Resurfacing 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1M J63 Blind Lane (near Chester-Le-Street) Junction improvement 1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1M J60 Bradbury - J59 Coatham Mundeville (near Darlington) Resurfacing 3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1 Earsdon to Burgham (near Morpeth) Resurfacing 2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1 Felton (near Alnwick) Resurfacing 6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Long Newton (near Stockton on Tees) Electrical 0.3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Rokeby (near Barnard Castle) Improvement work 2.9 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Blackwell (near Darlington) Removal of mature trees 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Sadberge (near Darlington) Removal of mature trees 1.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A66 Ravensworth (near Richmond) Removal of mature trees 1.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

A1 Fenwick (near Alnwick) Resurfacing 3.6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas and New Year.

Lifted

M5 J29-30 (near Exeter) Closure of gaps in the central reserve 4.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A36 (near Upton Lovell) Safety improvements and installation of 4-way permanent traffic signals 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M5 J11-12 (near Gloucester) Construction of southbound slip road 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A2070 Hamstreet (road name is unknown as it is known as the A2070 only) (near Ashford) Pavement Investigation - lane closures need to be implemented to allow the workforce to extract a segment of pavement safely. 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A259 Straight Lane (near Bexhill) Drainage works 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A27 Chichester By-pass (near Chichester) Construction of new roundabout 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A23 Handcross (near Redhill) Widening scheme 11 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A21 Vauxhall Lane to Longfield Road (near Tonbridge / Pembury) Widening of this stretch of the A21 to turn the single carriageway into dual carriageway 2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A1089 Asda Roundabout to Dock Road / Dock Road to Asda Roundabout (near Thurrock / Grays Town) Bridge joint replacement works with a contraflow 0.1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M25 J29-J31 (near Dartford) Statutory undertake diversion used in lane 1 5.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A12 J27 - 28 (near Colchester) Cutting slope 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A12 J27 - J29 (near Colchester) Filter drainage replacement 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A120 Bromley Road Junction (near Colchester) Speed limit and safety camera works 2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M11 J7 - 8 (near Harlow) Drainage works 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A12 J11- J12 (near Brentwood) Resurfacing 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A12 J33-J31 (near Ipswich) Resurfacing 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A43 / A5 Towcester (near Towcester) Junction improvements 2.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A43 Padbury Roundabout - Ardley Roundabout (near Bicester) Junction improvements 0.75 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A52 Bramcote to Bardills Roundabout (near Nottingham) Drainage Works 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A1(M) J6 (near Welwyn) Junction improvements 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A14 J29 - 31 (near Cambridge) Resurfacing 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A421 Bedford Southern Bypass (near Bedford) Bridge maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A14 J32 (near Cambridge) Bridge maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M1 J12 (near Dunstable) Bridge maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A1(M) J9 (near Baldock) Bridge maintenance 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A5 Milton Keynes (near Milton Keynes) Safety Barrier works 3 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A5 Churchbridge (near Cannock) Junction/island improvements 0.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A449 Coven (near Coven) Footway renewal 0.9 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A449 Coven (near Coven) Footway renewal 0.6 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A38 Branston (near Burton-upon-Trent) Lighting renewal 1.2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A5 Walkmill Lane (near Cannock) Footway renewal 0.2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A5 Longford (near Cannock) Footway renewal 0.4 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J10-8 (near Walsall) Bridge joint renewal 2.8 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J10-10a (near Walsall) Lighting renewal 11 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M42 J6 (near Birmingham) Junction improvements 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A5036 Bridge road roundabout leading onto Princess Way (near Litherland) Roundabout & kerb reconfiguration 2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J27-28 (near Chorley) Bridge deck repairs works 1.8 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A55 North Wales Expressway J38 / A483 Wrexham Road (near Chester) New signallised junction, widening and new footbridge 4 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J26 (near Wigan) Carriageway widening together with drilling and grouting to disused mining works 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J23/A580 East Lans Road (near St Helens) Road widening, new drainage, lighting columns, signs and traffic signals 2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M56 J11 (near Runcorn) Road widening and traffic signals 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M18 J7 / M62 J35 (near Doncaster) Upgrading communications infrastructure and installation of new variable message sign gantries 1.5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A590 Ulverston Road (near Swarthmoor) Principal inspections 1.1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J38 - 39 (near Shap) Closure of gaps in the central reserve and upgrading central barrier 1.7 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

M6 J36 - 37 (near Sedburgh) Closure of gaps in the central reserve and upgrading central barrier 5 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A585 Garstang New Road, Fleetwood Road and Windy Harbour Road crossroads (near Singleton) Carriageway widening works 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A66 Browson (near Barnard Castle) Safety Improvements 2 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A1 Belford (near Berwick-upon-Tweed) Culvert repairs 1 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

A174/A19 (near Middlesbrough) Road widening 2.25 mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas and New Year period.

Remaining

A38 Dry Bridge (near South Brent) Bridge replacement 40mph speed restriction, with narrow lanes, and the closure of the eastbound exit road - 2 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: There are no safety barriers in either the eastbound or westbound verges. There are open excavations on both sides of the carriageway and an existing gabion wall structure.

A38 Kennford (near Exeter) Junction improvement 50mph speed restriction, with some lane closures on the southbound carriageway - 2.8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: New lane will still be under construction so there will be open excavations and incomplete safety barrier. Traffic management to be kept in place for the safety of the travelling public.

A38 Manadon (near Plymouth) Slip road lengthening 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1 mile of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction of on-slip still being carried out so there will be open excavations and incomplete safety barrier. Traffic management to be kept in place for the safety of the travelling public.

A35 Bromhills (near Bridport) Junction Improvement excavation works 50mph speed restriction in place - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Variaguard barrier needs to be in place to protect excavation works. Cones are being removed where safe to do so.

A38 Dobwalls Safety scheme (near Liskeard) Excavation works 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes, and closure of the Petersfield junction - 2.7 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: The whole carriageway is being reconstructed to a depth of 1.2-1.7m over a length of 1.5km and drainage is being replaced.

M5 J11 - 12 (near Gloucester) Concrete repairs to bridge foundations 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: There will be an open excavations around the verge piers. The vertical concrete barrier will have been removed which will expose piers to possible impact damage.

M5 J10 -11 (near Cheltenham) Bridge repairs and concrete repairs to bridge foundations 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: There will be an open excavations around the verge piers. The vertical concrete barrier will have been removed which will expose piers to possible impact damage.

M5 J24 (near Huntworth) Bridge repairs 50mph speed restriction, three lane capacity in both directions - 2 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: There will be open excavations adjacent to replacement bridge joints, with large areas of exposed bridgedeck with part completed waterproofing.

M5 J14 - 15 (near Thornbury) Stabilising of embankment slope 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 5.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Existing vehicle restraint system will be remove to facilitate site clearance and geotechnical works. There will be open excavations where drainage works have commenced.

M3 J6 (near Basingstoke) Roundabout improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.6 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M4 J8 - 9 (near Reading) Bridge works 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 4 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M27 J3 - 2 (near Ower) Waterproofing works 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1.6 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M27 J3 (near Southampton) Junction Improvements (pinch point programme) 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M4 J10 Links (near Wokingham) Junction Improvements (pinch point programme) 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M27 J5 (near Eastleigh) Junction Improvements (pinch point programme) 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 2 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M3 J2-J4A (near Farnborough) Upgrading M3 to all lanes running 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes between junction 3 and junction 1 and contraflow between junction 4a and junction 3 - 32 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management removal not an option because there will be large areas of ppen excavations and all central reserve safety barrier will be removed removed.

A12 Gorleston to Blunderston (near Lowestoft) Link Road construction 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and lane closures in both directions - 1 mile of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

A47 / A1042 Yarmouth Road (near Norwich) Junction improvement 50mph speed restrictions with a 24-hour closure of lane 1 eastbound to allow for safe construction of junction improvements. - 3 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction ongoing. Traffic management and speed restriction remains for safety reasons due to construction adjacent to lane 1 of A47.

A421 Eastbound Elstow to Renhold (near Bedford) Carriageway surfacing 40mph speed restriction - 6 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Speed limit to ensure safety of road users while works are underway to resurface carriaegway. Road surface may have a temporary running surface material in place.

A14 J7-J9 (near Kettering ) Widening of existing A14 to create 3 lanes without hard shoulder 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 4.2 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Former verge safety fence has been removed with open excavations also present.

M45 (M1) J17 (near Rugby) Barrier replacement 50mph speed restriction with some lane closures - 0.25 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations - removed vehicle restraint system.

A46 Farndon (near Newark on Trent) Reduced speed limit 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Due to new carriageway realignment and temporary surfacing the reduced speed limit has to remain in place for safety reasons.

A1 Elkesley (near Retford) Junction improvement 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 5 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Commencement of excavation works for central reserve pier. Narrow lanes remain for safety reasons.

A5 Caldecote (near Nuneaton) Junction Improvement 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 2.75 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Due to new carriageway realignment and temporary surfacing the reduced speed limit has to remain in place for safety reasons.

A453 Widening (near Nottingham) Carriageway Widening 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes, and lane closures along a half-mile section at Parkway Junction, where a 30mph speed restriction is in place - 5.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: New bridge deck not complete at Parkway junction. Incomplete carriageways at other locations. Due to the narrowed lanes the speed restriction to remain in place for the safety of the travelling public

A453 Widening (near Nottingham) Carriageway Widening 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Due to the narrowed lanes the speed restriction to remain in place for the safety of the travelling public.

A453 Widening (near Kegworth) Junction Improvements 50mph speed restriction with some narrow lanes - 0.75 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Various lanes closed due to incomplete junction construction. Due to the narrowed lanes, the speed restriction to remain in place for the safety of the travelling public.

M1 J24 Slip roads (near Kegworth) Junction Improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.25 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Due to the narrowed lanes the speed restriction to remain in place for the safety of the travelling public.

A50 Approach Economy Scheme (near Kegworth) Junction Improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.15 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Various lanes closed due to incomplete junction construction. Due to the narrowed lanes, the speed restriction to remain in place for the safety of the travelling public.

M1 J19 to M6 J1 and A14 J1 Catthorpe interchange (near Lutterworth) Provision of a new M6 to A14 link. Realignment of M6 to M1 links. And M1 to A14 link roads 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and contraflow on the southbound carriage and part of M6 to M1 link road - 5.65 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations. M1 J19-J16 (near Rugby) Central reserve concrete barrier construction 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and hard shoulder running in both directions - 14 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations, prevent unsafe manoeuvres, and stop cross over incidents due to removal of central reservation barrier.

M1 J28-J30 (near Chesterfield) Works to enable the road to become a Smart Motorway
50mph speed restriction and hard shoulder closure, with three narrow lanes between junction 28 and junction 30 - 14.4 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations, prevent unsafe manoeuvres. Journey time system is in place so Agency customers have accurate journey time information.

M1 J10a (near Luton) Construction of new slip road to Luton Airport 30mph speed restriction with some narrow lanes - 1 mile of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction will be incomplete and require significant expense of temporary barrier to be able to remove the traffic management.

A1 / A421 Bedford Southern Bypass (near Sandy) Junction widening and re-alignment, including installation of traffic signals. 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 2 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction will be incomplete. Open excavations and temporary safety barrier to both sides of carriageway.

A14 J31 (near Cambridge) Road widening 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 3 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction will be incomplete. Open excavations to side of carriageway require temporary barrier.

M5 J4 (near Bromsgrove) Junction improvements 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 3.2 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Major works under construction adjacent to narrow lanes.

M6 J16 (near Crewe) Carriageway improvements 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1 mile of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction works are underway, existing comms/signal systems are interrupted and hazards are protected by temporary barrier restraint systems which need to remain insitu while existing barrier has been removed. Narrow lanes installed to allow construction works.

M6 J16 (near Crewe) Carriageway Improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1 mile of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction works are underway, existing comms/signal systems are interrupted and hazards are protected by temporary barrier restraint systems which need to remain in situ while existing barrier has been removed. Narrow lanes installed to allow construction works.

M50 J1 - 2 (near Tewkesbury) Structural repairs 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and single lane closures on westbound carriageway, while A438 below M50 will be fully closed to traffic to allow for structural repairs - 2 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Single lane closure & narrow Lanes westbound to limit & restrict loading on bridge below to ensure structure is not compromised during concrete repairs.

A45 Stonebridge Highway east and westbound (near Coventry) Road widened from a dual 2 lane carriageway to a dual 3 lane carriageway / west bridge excavation / strengthening work to the Sowe and Sherbourne bridge 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 1.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass east and northbound (near Coventry) Road widened / rehabilitation / east bridge excavation 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

A45 London Road (near Coventry) Road Widened / rehabilitation 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes - 0.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations.

M6 J10A-J13 (near Birmingham) Upgrade to Smart Motorway 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and closure of either lane 3 or hard shoulder between junction 11a and junction 13 in both directions, with standard lane widths and hard shoulder closures between junction 10a and 11a in both directions - 20.9 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction works are underway, existing communications / signals are interrupted and hazards are protected by temporary barrier restraint system which would need to remain in situ whilst existing barrier removed.

M56 J7 eastbound (near Bowden) Pinch Point lane gain 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and 24/7 recovery - 3 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Varioguard installed.

M6 J22 (near Newton-le-Willows) Repairs to bridge piers 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and 24/7 recovery - 1.8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Full erection of scaffold in centre reserve to allow bridge pier repairs.

M6 J17 (near Sandbach) Remodeling of north and southbound off slips junctions with A534 40mph speed restriction on exit and entry roads and on A534 between Holmes Chappel Road and Congleton Road - 0 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Due to health and safety reasons because of the new road layout remodelling (i.e. kerbs removed and not replaced, materials left on site, etc).

A556 Chester Road, A50 Warrington Road and A56 Lymm Road. (near Knutsford) Construction of site accesses and continued use of these 40mph speed restriction - 5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: To maintain traffic management consistency and to ensure worker safety when entering and exiting the site.

M60 J8 to M60 J18 (near Manchester) Ground investigations (Bore hole drilling) for Smart Motorway scheme design 50mph speed restriction with intermittent hard shoulder closures - 10 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Incomplete safety fence works and open excavations due to construction areas for gantries. Temporary barrier installed within hard shoulder to protect public from entering exposed work site.

M62 J18 to M62 J20 (near Manchester) Construction of Smart Motorway 50mph speed restrictions with three narrow lanes open at all times - 5.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Existing safety fence removed and open excavations due to construction areas for Smart motorway construction. Long lengths of temporary barrier installed within narrow lanes to protect public from entering exposed work site.

M1 J30-J31 (near Sheffield) Works to enable the road to become a Smart Motorway 50mph speed restriction with three narrow lanes and hard shoulder closure between junction 30 and 31 - 6.9 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations, prevent unsafe manoeuvres. Journey time system in place, so Agency customers have accurate journey time information.

M18 J2-J3 (near Doncaster) Carriageway widening scheme 50mph speed restriction with two narrow lanes and hard shoulder closure - 3.7 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations and to prevent unsafe manoeuvres.

M18 J5 (near Doncaster) Carriageway widening scheme Hard shoulder and lane closures on entry and exit roads with inner lane closure on the circulatory route - 0.6 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide lane closures alongside open excavations and to prevent unsafe manoeuvres.

M1 J39-J42 (near Wakefield) Upgrading central reservation to concrete barrier & converting the M1 to a Smart Motorway 50mph speed restriction with three narrow lanes and hard shoulder closure between junction 39 and junction 42 - 8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations, prevent unsafe manoeuvres and stop cross over incidents due to removal of central reservation barrier.

M62 J30-J32 (near Wakefield) Upgrading communications infrastructure and installation of new variable message sign gantries 50mph speed restriction with three narrow lanes and hard shoulder closure - 8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Traffic management is to provide narrow lanes & 50 mph speed restriction alongside open excavations, prevent unsafe manoeuvres and exposed structures.

A1 J67-J71 (near Gateshead) Carriageway widening 40mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and contraflow on the northern section from junction 70 to junction 71 - 8 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations around bridge piers, abutments and road box. Full overnight closures required to remove and replace temporary steel barrier. Safety barrier has been removed in areas along the project to allow access and works to proceed. If traffic management is removed no protection would be in place.

M6 J33 - 35 (near Lancaster) Construction of Heysham Link by Lancashire County Council 50mph speed restriction with some lane closures - 5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: As part of the scheme to construct the new Heysham to M6 Link Road, works will be carried out on or adjacent to the existing M6 motorway. This will involve the reconstruction of Junction 34 (Lancaster) of the M6 to provide on and off slips to both the north and southbound carriageways which have been improved to meet current standards. The existing Foundry Lane bridge will also be partly demolished and extended to accommodate the new northbound on slip. In order to carry out these improvements it will be necessary to close the existing hard shoulders on both carriageways in the area of Junction 34 throughout 2014 and 2015. It will also be necessary to close off running lanes (predominantly lane 1) as required in order to tie in the new slip roads with the existing motorway.

M6 J32 & M55 J1 (near Blackpool) Widening of carriageway 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 3.3 miles of roadworks - Moderate delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Open excavations and lack of central reserve barrier.

A1(M) J56-J51 (near Leeming) Widening to create new dual 3 lane Motorway (D3M) 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes on both carriageways - 22.8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Change of line markings and central barrier removed. 50mph speed limit and narrow lanes mitigate the risk to road users.

A5 Dodwells Roundabout to A47 Longshoot Junction (near Nuneaton) Junction improvements 30mph speed restriction - 2.5 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: All lanes open but reduced speed limit in place for the safety of the travelling public. Temporary lining and changed kerb lines necessitate that speeds are kept low for safety reasons. A5 Preston (near Shrewsbury) Junction/island improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 1.1 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction works are underway and hazards to road users and pedestrians are protected by barriers. Narrow lanes installed to allow construction works. New comms/signal systems will be introduced.

A5 Emstrey (near Shrewsbury) Junction/island improvements 50mph speed restriction with narrow lanes and some lane closures - 0.8 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: Construction works are underway and hazards to road users and pedestrians are protected by barriers. Narrow lanes installed to allow construction works. New comms/signal systems will be introduced.

A1 Shillbottle (near Alnwick) Resurfacing 50mph speed restriction - 0.1 miles of roadworks - Nil to slight delays expected. Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas and New Year period: 2 No cross-overs left in situ over the Christmas embargo. Crossovers will be closely coned and a 50mph speed restriction in operation for at each of the cross-over points only.

General enquiries

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Published 18 December 2014