Emergency plans to free up the UK’s roads in time for Christmas have been given the green light.
Some 900 miles of roadworks currently in place on the country’s motorways and major A-roads will be removed from 6am on December 20 until the end of January 20, as National Highways attempts to free up the carriageways for festive drivers.
Fears have been growing as there are expected to be a total of 34 million cars on the roads across December 23 and Christmas Eve, according to the AA.
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But National Highways said it will ensure almost 98 percent of its network is fully open, by finishing jobs or lifting incomplete ones, as train strikes could see more people than normal using the roads this Christmas.
Government transport secretary Mark Harper said: “Being stuck in traffic can take the joy out of travelling home over the festive period.
“Given the disruption expected from the transport unions’ strike action and cold weather, I’m pleased that we could act to remove these roadworks, reducing congestion and helping people with their important journeys this Christmas.”
It is hoped the plans will minimise disruption to journeys at what is always a hectic time to travel, with drivers urged to carry out basic checks on their cars ahead of travelling, such as oil levels and tyre pressure.
“We’re also asking motorists to be prepared before setting off. Almost half of breakdowns can be easily avoided if motorists carry out simple vehicle checks before their journeys,” said National Highways customer service director Andrew Butterfield.
But it is not just rail workers that are striking this Christmas, members of the Public and Commercial Services union at National Highways are downing tools.
Members in operational roles on roads and in control centres will take part in a series of staggered strikes from December 16 until January 7, though National Highways insists it has “comprehensive plans in place to minimise any potential disruption”, such as sharing resources between control centres to assist with call handling and setting signs and signals.
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