- BOOST FOR CHRISTMAS MOTORISTS -
ROAD WORKS LIFTED TO KEEP TRAFFIC ON THE MOVE
TO make travel easier over Christmas and the New Year, the Highways Agency will be working to keep as many lanes open as possible on England's motorway and trunk roads.
The Highways Agency told us that "Where possible, roadworks and lane restrictions will be lifted between Wednesday 24 December 2003 and 02 January 2004."
Roads Minister, David Jamieson, said:-
"The roads are always busy at Christmas time as people travel to be with family and friends. Over this busy period we will be reducing delays for motorists by lifting roadworks and minimising disruption.
Drivers can make their journey's easier by planning their route and checking weather forecasts and travel news for possible delays before and during their journey.
It is also important that motorists drive safely, and remember to take regular breaks on long journeys."
In some cases, restrictions such as lane closures will have to be kept in place for safety reasons, but where this happens the Highways Agency will be aiming to keep disruption to a minimum.
Up to the minute advice about road works and travel conditions on the motorways, and trunk roads managed by the Highways Agency in England is available by phoning the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 or by visiting the Agency's website at:-
www.highways.gov.uk.
- MAJOR ROUTES WHERE ROADWORKS WILL BE SUSPENDED OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
North West
M6 Thelwall Viaduct Junction 20-21a, Warrington, Cheshire
A contraflow is in operation on the southbound viaduct with 3 narrow lanes running in each direction along with a single lane on the northbound viaduct to allow traffic to exit into Warrington at junction 21.
Speed restrictions of 40mph in operation
Moderate delays expected.
M6 North of Junction 39, Cumbria
Hard Shoulder and lane 1 closed northbound and southbound for 24 hour working on footbridge repairs. Slight delays possible.
A580 (East Lancs Road) Golbourne Railway Bridge
Nearest town is Haydock
Two narrow lanes will be running in each direction. Speed restrictions of 30mph in operation.
Slight delays expected.
North East
M1 Tinsley Viaduct Junction 34, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Temporary safety fence will remain on M1 (upper deck) throughout Christmas along with a 50mph speed limit.
Slight delays possible.
M62 Junction 32 to 33, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Narrow lane running and contraflow with 50mph mandatory speed limit (3 lanes open in both directions) for construction of
under bridge. Single lane running on J33 westbound entry slip road.
A1 at Fairburn, West Yorkshire
Hard shoulder closure with 50mph mandatory speed limit (2 lanes open) for construction traffic access.
A1 Wetherby Junction with B1224, West Yorkshire
Nearest town is Wetherby. Southbound exit slip road and northbound entry slip closed for the construction of over bridge. Diversion will be in place via the A58 Walton Road.
East
A47 Hardwick Roundabout, Kings Lynn ,Norfolk
Roadworks lifted from 19 December to 5 January 2004
A12 Pasteur Road Roundabout, Great Yarmouth Norfolk
Roadworks lifted from 19 December to 5 January 2004
A11 Newmarket (A14 Waterhall) A1304 slip road, Suffolk
Roadworks lifted from 20 December to 4 January 2004, with the following exceptions:
· Lane closures on Christmas Day and Boxing Day during removal of Waterhall Railway Bridge with Network Rail (works to be confirmed). The A1304 off-slip into Newmarket will remain closed during this period, with a signed diversion route.
Slight delays are expected.
· There will be an off-peak lane closure 22/12/03 to 26/12/03 inclusive required to move demolition equipment on site.
Slight delays are expected.
A12 Witham, Essex
Major Maintenance scheme is due to be completed overnight lane closures will be in place, but will be lifted by 0500 hrs on the 22nd December, and will not be reinstated until 2100 hrs on the 5 January 2004.
South East
A2/M2 Cobham to Jct 4, Kent
Roadworks lifted from 20 December 2003 to 4 January 2004 inclusive.
M23 Balcombe Road Bridge Jct 9 Both Carriageways, Horley, Surrey
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004
M23, Junction 11 Pease Pottage Interchange, West Sussex
Nearest town: Crawley
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004
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A2 Gate Services, Kent
Nearest town: Dunkirk
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004
A27 Firle, East Sussex
Cycle track works lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004 M27 Jct 9 to 12, Hampshire
Nearest town: Portsmouth
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004
Some hard shoulder closures for health and safety reasons
M27/M275 Jct 12, Hampshire
Nearest town: Portsmouth
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004
M4 Jct 13 Chieveley, Berkshire
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004 West Midlands M42 Junction 7a to 9, Warwickshire
Nearest town: Coleshill
Contraflow lifted from 24 December 2003 to 2 January 2004 East Midlands A5 Nutts Lane, Hickley, Leicestershire
Junction Improvement.
Intermittent use of two-way lights. Roadworks will be lifted from midnight 19 December to 4 January 2004
A1 Winthorpe to Coddington, Nottinghamshire
Nearest town: Newark on Trent
Roadworks lifted from 7 December to 6 January 2004
A38 Alfreton Road Bridge, Nottinghamshire
Nearest town: Kirkby in Ashfield
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004. Lane closures finish December 22 to w/c January 5; however, the temporary 40mph limit will be in place over the Christmas break because the safety barrier has been removed.
A52 Sedgebrook to Muston, Lincolnshire
Nearest town: Grantham
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to week commencing 5 January 2004
M1 Network Junctions 24-27
Roadworks lifted from 24 December to 2 January 2004 South West A36, Skew Bridge, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Railway Bridge upgrade
Works suspended over Christmas period but two-way traffic lights will remain in operation
Moderate delays possible.
A38 Saltash Tunnel, Cornwall
In Saltash. Tunnel refurbishment
Roadworks lifted from 20 December to 5 January 2004.No delays anticipated North East A1 Stannington Junction Improvement, Northumberland
No works but traffic management in place. Temporary diversion on to future slip roads with 30mph speed limit. Slight delays possible.
A63 Selby Bypass, North Yorkshire
Traffic management or works lifted for the Christmas season.
Road works to remain over Christmas season South East A10 Wadesmill Bypass Construction, Hertfordshire
Nearest town is Ware.
24 hour lane closures with mandatory 30 mph speed limit in operation for construction of the new Wadesmill Bypass.
Delays possible
A2 Pepperhill, Kent
Near Gravesend
Works for Channel Tunnel Rail Link will remain in place over the Christmas period but all 3 lanes will remain open over the Christmas period.
Delays possible
A34 Jct 13, Berkshire
Near Newbury
Works will remain in place during the Christmas period but 2 Narrow Lanes will be kept open in both directions
Delays possible.
M4 Jct 11 slip road from Westbound Carriageway, Berkshire
One lane closure on the 3-lane off slip for health and safety reasons.
Delays possible at peak times. West Midlands M42 Junction 3a to 6 Solihull, West Midlands
Hard shoulder closures for safety reasons
No delays expected
A38/A5 Weeford Island, Shenstone, Staffordshire
Lane 1 closure on roundabout for antiskid and road marking.
Slight delays possible
East Midlands
A45 Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry/Rugby, Warwickshire
Westbound carriageway reduced to one lane.
Slight delays possible.
A446 Belfry Island, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Lane 1 closed round island and on approaches.
Slight delays possible. 
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