Drivers across the North West will share in the festive cheer this Christmas and New Year with almost 400 miles of Highways England roadworks across the country lifted to help journeys go smoothly.
Highways England aims to complete or lift 148 schemes by 6am on Wednesday, 23 December – leaving 98% of its 9,534-mile network free of roadworks in time for the holidays. (Click here to see a map showing the locations of lifted and completed schemes)
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
“We are on the side of the honest motorist, making it easier for people to get around, as well as creating jobs and opportunities.”
“It’s impossible to improve roads without some element of engineering work, but I also know how frustrating they can be. We are determined to apply common sense to our roads so we can minimise disruption.
“Clearing roadworks over Christmas is a big win for motorists. Over the period millions of families will get in the car to visit loved ones. This move will allow hardworking people to travel around freely at Christmas time and see friends and family.”
Highways England Director of Customer Operations, Melanie Clarke, said:
“This Christmas, we’re clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England to help people make important journeys to see family and friends.
“Where possible, we’ve completed or lifted roadworks, leaving more lanes open and lifting many of the associated speed restrictions to help people travelling over the festive period.
“Drivers can do their bit to make their festive journeys run smoothly by planning longer journeys ahead of time and checking weather and travel conditions before setting out.
“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, Highways England will complete 273 miles of roadworks at 105 locations before the holiday. A further 43 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be removed across 128 miles of carriageway by 6am on Wednesday 23 December, until midnight on Saturday 2 January.
There are fewer roadworks on England’s major roads this Christmas – with 192 schemes compared to 219 this time 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 43 locations. Around 196 miles of roadworks will need to stay out over the festive period this year, compared to 268 last year. (Click here to see a map showing the location of remaining schemes)
The latest travel information can be found at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, winter driving advice is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk/winterhighways, and you can get regular winter updates at www.facebook.com/winterhighways.
ENDS
The full list of schemes which will be completed, lifted or left in place over the Christmas period in the North West is as follows:
COMPLETED
M6 j39 – 40 (near Penrith)
Pole Installation works
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
M6 j40 – 39 (near Penrith)
Replacement of boundary fence
2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
M6 j42 – 44 (near Carlisle)
Duct Proving
2.5 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A66 (near Appleby)
Carriageway Repairs
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A66 (near Penrith)
Resurfacing works
4 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A66 (near Appleby)
Ground testing prior to barrier installation
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A66 (near Keswick)
Topographical Survey
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A590 (near Lindale)
Safety Barrier Renewal
2 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A590 (near Kendal)
Replacement of defective drainage and traffic signs
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A585 (near Fleetwood)
New signage
1 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A585 (near Fleetwood)
Replacement of repeater signage
6 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
M6 (near Tebay)
Replacement of bridge joints and surfacing works
3 mile(s) of roadworks completed for Christmas Bank Holiday.
LIFTED
M6 j35-36 (near Carnforth)
Variable Message Signs works
1mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A595 (near Lillyhall)
Renewal of drainage
2mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A585 (near Singleton)
Resurfacing footways and drainage repairs
1.5mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A590 Brettargh Holt – A6 westbound
Replacement of defective drainage and traffic signs
1mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A5036 between Hawthorne Rd and Switch Island (near Bootle )
Resurfacing
2mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
A56 between Bent gate and Rising Bridge (near Haslingden)
VRS
3mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
M53 Junction 2 (near Moreton )
Resurfacing
1mile(s) of roadworks lifted for Christmas Bank Holiday.
REMAINING:
M6 j18-21 (near Knutsford)
Excavation of central reserve and removal of existing vehicle safety fence in order to install a new central reserve concrete barrier
3 lanes running in both directions with narrow lanes using Hard Shoulder, L1 and L2 with lane 3 closed – 3 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: The central reservation will have no vehicle restraint system (Crash Barrier)
M6 j33 – 35 (near Lancaster)
Construction of Heysham Link
5 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: 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.
A556 between M6 j19 and M56 j7 (near Knutsford)
Excavation of southbound carriageway to prepare for realignment to new bypass
Narrow lanes, temporary speed limit signs and cones. – 2 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: Narrow lanes and speed restrictions are to reduce risk to customers as there are excavations on the southbound carriageway.
M60 j8 to M60 j12 (near Manchester)
Installation of SMART Motorway
Narrow Lanes with temporary barrier throughout – 6.5 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: Existing safety fences have been removed. Open excavations in isolated areas and unprotected highway furniture resulting in potential safety issues if traffic management was removed.
M60 j12 to M60 j18 (near Manchester)
Installation of SMART Motorway
Narrow Lanes with temporary barrier throughout – 9.8 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: Existing safety fences have been removed. Open excavations in isolated areas and unprotected highway furniture resulting in potential safety issues if traffic management was removed.
M62 j18 to M62 j21 (near Manchester)
Installation of SMART Motorway
Narrow Lanes with temporary barrier throughout – 8.75 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: Existing safety fences have been removed. Open excavations in isolated areas and unprotected highway furniture resulting in potential safety issues if traffic management was removed.
A66 Bassenthwaite Lake (near Cumbria)
24 hour contraflow due to damage caused by flooding
24 hour contraflow due to damaged caused by flooding – 0 miles of roadworks – Nil to slight delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: 24 hour contraflow due to damaged caused by flooding.
A590 (near Cumbria)
40mph speed restriction due to incomplele resurfacing work as a consequence of severe weather/flooding
40 MPH signs in place – 0 miles of roadworks – Moderate delays
Reason roadworks cannot be lifted for the Christmas Bank Holiday: Resurfacing scheme not finished.
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