Roadworks relief promised for Easter

Mar 20 2008 By Emma Cullwick

HIGHWAY chiefs today pledged to complete or temporarily halt the majority of roadworks on the Midland's motorways and major roads in a bid to ease congestion during the big Easter get-away.

As thousands of families are expected to take to the roads to set off on holiday tomorrow, the Highways Agency (HA) is lifting 12 roadwork schemes in the Midlands and has vowed to complete a further 11.

However, there will still be roadworks in place on the M42 between Junction 8a and 7 and at its connection with the M6 at Junction 4a, near Chelmsley Wood.

Highways officials warned the work, which includes narrowed lanes and 50mph speed limits, will create "slight delays".

There will also be problems for drivers using the M69 on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 1 and 2, near Hinckley, Warwickshire, where resurfacing work means one lane has been closed and a 50mph speed restriction is in place.

The HA said the works could not be lifted during the Easter getaway for "safety reasons" but hoped they would not create lengthy delays.

Derek Turner, the HA's director of traffic operations, said: "Easter is the first opportunity for many people to enjoy a break since Christmas.

"We are helping to make journeys easier over the holiday by taking all possible steps to ease congestion, including having traffic officers patrolling the motorways 24 hours a day throughout the Bank Holiday weekend to deal with incidents and clear them as quickly as possible."

He said new hi-tech equipment worth £2.5 million would be used by police to quickly gather information at the scene of serious smashes, while incident support units and operators in regional control centres monitor the road network to keep traffic moving smoothly.

Holidaymakers were also being encouraged to check their route before they travel and make sure their vehicle is topped up with fuel.

* For more information, visit www.highways.gov.uk or call 08457 50 40 30.