North West roadworks removed for Easter getaway

North West roadworks removed for Easter getaway

More than 450 miles of major roadworks will be lifted over the four-day Easter break to make journeys better for families.

Highways England aims to complete or lift 208 sets of roadworks by 6am on Thursday 24 March – leaving more than 97% of its 9,534-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays.

The government is investing £15billion to deliver the biggest upgrade to motorways and major A-roads in a generation.

Building new roads and creating smart motorways that keep traffic moving even in the busiest periods will cut congestion – and Highways England is taking action to reduce delays over the bank holiday break.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “We want to deliver fast and reliable journey times for drivers over the bank holiday weekend so I am pleased hundreds of miles of cones are being lifted.

“This is good news for millions of families and hardworking people who will be travelling and taking advantage of the four-day break.

‎“We are delivering £15billion of upgrades to our roads to make our highways fit for the future – but motorists should not needlessly be held up.”

Highways England Director of Customer Operations, Mel Clarke, said: “This Easter, we’re helping drivers with their journeys by clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England.

“We’ve worked closely with other transport providers to ensure our network can cope with increased demand, and we’re pleased to say that 97.2 per cent of our roads will be free of work to help Easter road trips go smoothly.

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

“Of course, we still advise drivers to plan their journeys and check the latest traffic and travel updates as well as ensuring they have enough fuel before setting out.

“We’d also remind those with caravans and trailers 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 257 miles of roadworks at 133 locations before the Easter holiday.

A further 75 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be suspended across 219 miles of carriageway by 6am on Thursday 24 March, until just after midnight on Tuesday 29 March.

For the safety of drivers and their passengers, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain at major schemes with large excavation areas or major structural projects which require on-going traffic management for safety.

Drivers can get the latest travel information from www.trafficengland.com
The full list of schemes which will be completed or lifted over the Easter period is as follows:

COMPLETED
M6 j36-37 (near Kendal)
Road Renewal
2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M6 j40-41 (near Penrith)
Replacing MS3 Variable Message Signs
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M6 j37-38 (near Tebay)
Replacing MS3 Variable Message Signs
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M6 j37-38 (near Tebay)
Replacement of road markings and studs
4 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M6 j39-40 (near Penrith)
Replacing MS3 Variable Message Signs
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A66 (near Braithwaite)
Carriageway upgrade work
1.3 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A66 (near Brough)
Surfacing work
1.8 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A66 (near Kirkby Thore)
Installation of safety camera and associated equipment
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A590 (near Lindale)
Provision of a cross over gate to Central Reservation
0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A590 (near Levens)
Scrub Clearance
3.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A590 (near Levens)
Scrub Clearance
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A590 (near Witherslack)
Scrub Clearance
2.4 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
A595 (near Blackbeck)
Tree cutting and vegetation clearance
0.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M6 (near Burton In Kendal)
Hardening of the Central Reservation
5.7 mile(s) of roadworks completed.
M55 (near Blackpool)
Replacing MS3 Variable Message Signs
1.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed.

LIFTED
M6 junctions 43-44 (near Carlisle)
Renewal of road markings and road studs
3mile(s) of roadworks lifted.
M6 junctions 32-33 (near Blackpool)
Renewal of road markings and road studs
11mile(s) of roadworks lifted.
M55 junctions 1-3 (near Blackpool)
Renewal of road markings and road studs
7mile(s) of roadworks lifted.
A585 (near Little Singleton)
Resurfacing footway and drainage repairs
1mile(s) of roadworks lifted.

REMAINING
M60 junctions 8 to 18 and M62 junctions 18 to 20 smart motorway work. Roadworks remain in place for safety reasons
M6 junctions 16 to 19 smart motorway project. Narrow lanes and 50mph speed limit between junction 18 and junction 19 in place for safety reasons
M6 junctions 19 to 20 – central reservation renewal and bridge repairs. Lane closures and 50mph speed limit remain in place for safety reasons
A66 Bassenthwaite Lake – westbound carriageway closed following storm damage and awaiting repair. Contraflow onto eastbound carriageway.
A66 Stainmore carriageway reconstruction project - roadworks may remain over the holiday period with a contraflow and 40mph speed limit in place for safety reasons.