Highways Agency suspends bank holiday roadworks

Date: 25/5/2011

Roadworks may not be something that holds up drivers' journeys as they travel this bank holiday (May 30th).

The Highways Agency has announced that it has either completed or halted 107 miles of such projects across England's motorways and other major roads.

As a result, this week will see work carried out on 74 miles of carriageway being finished, while between Friday May 27th and Tuesday 31st similar jobs will be suspended on 33 route miles.

It is hoped that this action will increase capacity and therefore reduce congestion, allowing people to make better time on their journeys.

Earlier in the month, Roads Minister Mike Penning announced his commitment to tackling the problem of high volumes of traffic caused by motorway closures, which he said cost the UK's economy £1 billion each year.

Speaking of the decision to suspend roadworks, he noted: "More than 98 per cent of the strategic road network will be clear [of these obstructions], meaning more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted."

Posted by Mary Treen