CHRISTMAS is a time for surprises, and motorists will be happy about theirs: National Highways is lifting more than 1,000 miles of works ahead of the festive getaway.
The majority of roadworks on motorways and A-roads are being lifted until Tuesday, January 2 – in fact, the government agency says 98% of its programme is being suspended until next year.
They include a stretch of the M4 between junctions 13 and 12 (near Newbury) with more than 27 miles of roadworks removed for drivers.
Elsewhere, the A1 from A47 Wansford to Stibbington (near Peterborough) with five miles of roadworks lifted, and the same amount lifted on the M1 between junctions 21 to 22 (near Leicester) to help motorists enjoy hassle-free journeys.
National Highways customer service director Andrew Butterfield is pleased to play Santa to driver.
“December is an incredibly busy period which is why we’re improving journeys for motorists by keeping 98% of the roads we manage free from roadworks over Christmas,” he said.
“We know from experience that peak travel times can vary at this time of year, so it’s really important that drivers check traffic conditions before heading out to help keep traffic flowing.”
But with talk that the weather could turn wintry, Mr Butterfield wants drivers to be ready for whatever conditions they face.
“It’s also good practice to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the journey ahead,” he said. “Ensure you have plenty of fuel, the tyres are in good condition, and you have suitable clothing and snacks in the car in case you run into difficulties.”
National Highways is encouraging drivers to check follow its handy T.R.I.P guidance.
Before setting off, motorists are encouraged to:
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Top-up: Fuel, oil and screenwash highlights some of the basic vehicle checks you can carry out at home. It’s really important to check your fuel level, water level and oil level before embarking on a long trip.
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Rest: take regular comfort breaks encourages people to be well rested ahead of their journey and not under the influence of alcohol, and to plan the journey, identifying places to stop for a break during your journey.
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Inspect: check tyre pressure and tread focusses on some simple things you can do at home to care for your tyres.
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Prepare: have a plan for all weathers and encourage drivers and their passengers to take seasonal kits with them on their journey so they have provisions in the event of hold-ups and traffic jams and check the weather forecast.
National Highways is also reminding people what to do if they have problems with their vehicle during their journey – and the key message is Go Left. The advice to anyone encountering vehicle trouble is to stay calm and try to exit at the next junction or motorway service area. If that’s not possible:
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Go left – put your left indicator on and move into an emergency area, onto a hard shoulder, left-hand verge or A-road lay-by. Switch your hazard warning lights on, even during the day. If it’s dark, use side lights and in poor visibility use fog lights as well. n a motorway without a hard shoulder, in most situations a vehicle can be driven to an emergency area. These are spaced regularly and are marked with blue signs featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol, to indicate the distance to the next one.
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Get safe – If it is safe to do so, and you can get out with any passengers, exit your vehicle on the side furthest from traffic. If it is not safe to do so, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Keep well away from moving traffic and your own vehicle. Get behind a safety barrier where there is one, and where it is safe to do so. If you’re on a verge, be aware of any unseen hazards such as uneven ground or debris.
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Get help – contact National Highways on 0300 123 5000 and then a breakdown recovery provider.
If unable to exit the vehicle and get to a safe place, have stopped in a live traffic lane or feel life is in danger, stay in the vehicle with seatbelts and hazard lights on and call 999 immediately.
For more information visit: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/breakdowns/
A series of vehicle checks videos are available to help people carry out basic vehicle checks before they set off on their travels.
National Highways has advice about traffic conditions on its website, Twitter feeds, and information line (0300 123 5000).
Roadworks completed
This list is in the order given by National Highways
M3 Junction 2 to 4a (near Camberley): 11.85 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 4a to 3 (near Camberley): 17.59 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 7 (near Basingstoke): 2.28 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 7 (near Basingstoke): 3.67 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 5 (near Fleet): 3.19 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 3 (near Camberley): 2.19 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 3 (near Camberley): 1.94 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 10 to 11 (near Winchester): 3.88 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 11 to 10 (near Winchester): 3.47 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 11 (near Winchester): 3.34 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 12 (near Eastleigh): 5.02 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 9 (near Winchester): 0.87 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 7 (near Basingstoke): 3.17 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 northbound Junction 5 to Junction 4a: 1.92 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 4 to 4a (near Camberley): 0.56 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M3 Junction 13 to 12 (near Newbury): 0.44 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 13 to 12 (near Newbury): 27.48 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 12 (near Newbury): 5.41 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 6 (near Windsor): 3.21 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 8/9 (near Windsor): 7.66 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 5 (near Windsor): 5.52 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 6 (near Windsor): 5.87 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 10 (near Wokingham): 6.5 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 8/9 (near Windsor): 7.64 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 11 (near Reading): 3.76 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 14 to 15 (near Swindon): 15.91 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 7 (near Windsor): 4.46 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 10 to 11 (near Reading): 2.12 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 8/9 (near Windsor): 1.09 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 7 to 6 (near Windsor): 3.87 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 7 (near Windsor): 2.77 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 7 (near Windsor): 2.76 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 15 (near Swindon): 0.36 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 10 (near Wokingham): 0.6 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
M4 Junction 12 to 2 (near Newbury): 1.49 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
A34 Tot Hill to Speen (near Newbury): 6.7 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
A34 Kidlington (near Oxford): 8.49 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
A34 Speen (near Newbury): 0.54 miles of roadworks completed for Christmas period.
For real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads, log on to: https://trafficengland.com
