National Highways eases roadworks for a smoother Easter getaway

National Highways is removing over 1,100 miles of roadworks from motorways and major A-roads to help minimise disruption during peak travel times.

From 6am on Thursday 17 April until 12.01am on Tuesday 22 April more than 82% of roadworks will be lifted. This will help make sure major routes across the UK are clear for motorists during the Easter break.

Significant routes to benefit from roadworks being lifted or completed in time for the Easter getaway include:

• Over 130 miles of roadworks on the M25
• More than 100 miles on the M1 between London and Chesterfield
• More than 70 miles on the A27 between Polegate, East Sussex and Havant, Hampshire
• 49 miles on the A34 between Oxford and Winchester
• Almost 50 miles on the M27 between Southampton and Portsmouth
• Over 45 miles on the M4 between Hayes and Hungerford
• 44 miles on the M2 between Rochester and Faversham
• 37 miles on the A303 near Andover
• 31 miles on the A47 between Great Yarmouth and Peterborough

In more good news for Easter getaways our £390m scheme to install more than 150 additional emergency areas on smart motorways was completed at the end of March. Work has been carried out on stretches of the M1, M3, M4, M5, M20, M25 and M27 with the remaining roadworks removed during the first week of April. Combined with completion of safety enhancement schemes this has resulted in the removal of 276 miles of roadworks.

National Highways data shows that breakdown incidents on major roads increased by 3% between 2023 and 2024, with tyre issues being the top cause (19%) followed by loss of power (7%). 

The acronym TRIP is an easy way for drivers to remember the four simple steps to take to prepare ahead of using motorways and major A roads this Easter:

•    Top-up: Fuel, oil, and screen wash

•    Rest: Plan regular stops every two hours to avoid driver fatigue

•    Inspect: Check tyre pressure and tread

•    Prepare: Have a plan for severe weather conditions

Andrew Butterfield, National Highways Director of Operational Services, said: 

“Easter is the first bank holiday of the year, and we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.

“We are doing everything we can to make journeys easier by removing roadworks, but I would encourage everyone to take some time, plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is prepared for what might be a long journey. 

“Two of the top three causes of breakdowns are tyre issues and empty fuel tanks, and we don’t want anyone to go through the stress of breaking down. We are encouraging drivers to follow our TRIP advice – this is all about remembering a few simple steps to make journeys easier and safer.” 

Leading automotive servicing and repair company Kwik Fit partners National Highways in the campaign to highlight the TRIP message. Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, said: “The removal of roadworks for Easter is welcome news for drivers, so it will be even more frustrating if something else gets in the way of a smooth holiday journey.

“There are many easy checks drivers can make themselves to avoid problems. Tyre pressure and tread, along with topping up fluids, are the key ones to carry out.  If anyone has any concerns about their car’s condition, they can book a free check with Kwik Fit and have one of our expert teams check it over to make sure they’re safe on the roads.”

Operation Brock: 

For people travelling to the Kent ports, drivers are also being reminded that Operation Brock is active on the M20. Operation Brock is a traffic management arrangement for traffic heading to Eurotunnel or the Port of Dover.   

Motorists planning on crossing the channel should:  

• Plan ahead and check before they travel 
• Leave plenty of extra time 
• Bring some supplies in case of delays (water, food etc) 
• Follow the signs when they get onto the M20 

Road users heading for the Kent ports can check on the status of Operation Brock at Operation Brock updates. 

If you are planning an Easter getaway, please take some time to plan your journey. Live updates on traffic flow can be found at: Traffic England. 

Visit the National Highways website for more information on staying safe on the roads this Easter.

Media interviews are available on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April. Please contact pressoffice@nationalhighways.co.uk to arrange.

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

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