Route Planner to Avoid Traffic
START
FINISH

Fuel for thought as motorists head off on Easter getaway

Highways England is lifting more than 300 miles of roadworks for Easter getaway to improve holiday journeys for millions of motorists and passengers.

Fuel for thought as motorists head off on Easter getaway

Published: 07 April 2017
By Chris Haycock



Almost 98 per cent of motorways and strategic A roads will be roadworks-free over the bank holiday, meaning motorists and their passengers can enjoy journeys with as little disruption as possible.

We are also reminding drivers to check their vehicles before they set off as it was revealed around 20 motorists break down every day because they have run out of fuel.

Latest statistics show almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks. Nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.

Highways England Chief Executive, Jim O’Sullivan said:

I want all drivers to arrive at their destinations safely. We are removing almost all of our roadworks across the country to make people’s journeys easier for people this Easter and we are urging drivers to make sure they are ready by checking their fuel, tyres, and lights. Anyone who runs out of fuel is putting themselves and other road users, including their own passengers at risk. With a few simple checks that risk can be overcome and everyone will be safer.

The government is investing £15 billion to improve the strategic road network. The improvements will keep traffic moving even in the busiest periods, cutting congestion – and we are taking action to reduce delays over the bank holiday break. We are completing 190 and suspending 119 miles of roadworks by 6am on 13 April until 12.01am on 18 April to help people get away this Easter with as little disruption as possible.

Schemes completed in time for the Easter getaway include:

  • A556 – the £192m Knutsford to Bowdon dual carriageway linking junction 19 of the M6 to junction 7 of the M56 was completed on time and on budget after a 28 month build programme
  • A590 – our £1m project to realign and raise the carriageway at Lindal near Ulverston, removing a the long-running Lindal ‘Dip’ issue which led to carriageway closures during flooding was completed
  • £191 million improvement scheme at Catthorpe Junction 19 of the M1 – which will revolutionise the journeys made by more than 142,000 vehicles through the area every day

And before they set off we are urging drivers to:

  • check fuel: make sure you have enough to get to your destination
  • check tyres: before setting off on a long/significant journey, check your tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres, including the spare; look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit
  • check engine oil: use your dipstick to check oil before any long journey, and top up if needed; take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual
  • check water: to ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screenwash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen
  • check your lights: If your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself at risk; in addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MOT

You can view a map showing the locations of lifted and completed schemes.

By suspending or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions will be lifted.Those wishing to find out more about driving on smart motorways can find further information on our smart motorways guidance page.

Drivers planning to use the Dartford Crossing are reminded to pay Dart Charge in advance or by midnight the day after crossing.

More information can be found on our website or by calling our information line (0300 123 5000) to keep up to date with conditions on the roads.

For more detailed information on how to carry out your vehicle checks, view the Think! website.

View our vehicle checks video

Roadworks lifted

A38 Glynn Valley (near Dobwalls)Slope stabilisation4.75mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

M1 Jct 20 to 21 (near Leicester)Carriageway resurfacing5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

M69 M1 (Jct 21) to Jct1 (near Hinckley)Drainage works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A1 Colsterworth to Barrowby (near Grantham)Drainage works10mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A1 Harlaxton to Barrowby (near Grantham)Drainage works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A1 Tinwell to Colsterworth (near Stamford)Drainage works10mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A1 Elkesley (near Retford)Electrical works4.25mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A1 Barrowby to Long Bennington (near Grantham)Drainage works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A5 Gibbets Hill to Crick (near Rugby)Drainage works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A5 Old Stratford to Tove Roundabout (near Towcester)Carriageway resurfacing and drainage works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A14 Jct 3 to 10 (near Kettering)Horticultural works10mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A14 M1 (Jct 19) to Jct 1 (near Rugby)Horticultural works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A14 Jct 10 to13 (near Kettering)Horticultural works10mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A14 Jct 1 to 3 (near Market Harborough)Horticultural works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A38 Palm Court to Kingsway (near Derby)Horticultural works2.5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A38 Markeaton (near Derby)Horticultural works2.5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A43 Abthorpe (near Towcester)Carriageway improvement5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A45 Billing to Wilby Way (near Northampton)Carriageway repair works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A52 Bardills to Priory Roundabouts (near Nottingham)Horticultural works5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A52 Radliffe on Trent (near Nottingham)Carriageway improvement1mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A52 Radliffe on Trent (near Nottingham)Carriageway improvement0.5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A453 Farnborough Road to Silverdale Roundabout (near Nottingham)Horticultural works0.5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

A5 Gledrid Roundabout (near Chirk)Widening the carriageway on the approaches and exit of the roundabout1mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

M18 Jct 4 (near Doncaster)Bridge waterproofing0.4mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

M621 Jct 1 to 5 (near Leeds)Electrical scheme6.2mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Easter period.

Roadworks completed

M32 Jct 2 to 3 (near Bristol)Installation of bus only lane1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M4 Jct 16 (near Swindon)Structures maintenance0.65 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M23 Jct 9 to 8 (near Crawley)The scheme addresses verge cracking along the embankment crest. Works involve removal/replacement of safety barrier, earthworks, ducting works and other maintenance activities.7 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M20 Jct 4 to 10 (near Kent)Electrical works3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M2 Jct 1 to 7 (near Kent )Electrical works3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M20 Jct 5 to 6 (near Maidstone, Kent)Resurfacing3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

A2 (near Dunkirk, Kent)Resurfacing12 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

A2 (near Gravesend)Resurfacing4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

A13 Slip road closure, southbound (near Essex)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair0.16 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

A1(M) Jct 3 to 4 (near Hertfordshire)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair1.59 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

A282 Jct 31 to 1A (near Essex / Kent)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair2.11 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct10 anti-clockwise entry slip (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair0.23 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 10 anti-clockwise off slip (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair0.21 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 11 anti-clockwise entry slip (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair0.18 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 28 anticlockwise exit slip (near Essex)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair0.25 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct10 to 11 (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair1.11 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 11 to 10 (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair2.51 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 11 to 9 (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair2.7 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M25 Jct 12 to 10 (near Surrey)Carriageway - reconstruction/repair1.52 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Easter period.

M20 Jct


Highways England news licensed and reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0

comments powered by Disqus


Other Stories

Traffic & travel news roundup | Thursday, 28 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

Daily traffic & travel news | Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

Transport & traffic summary | Tuesday, 26 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

Traffic & travel news roundup | Monday, 25 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

Daily transport news | Sunday, 24 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources

Traffic & travel news roundup | Saturday, 23 March 2024

Our daily roundup of traffic and travel news and press releases from official transport sources