The ‘roadworks embargo’ means that almost 99 per cent of motorways and strategic A roads will be roadworks-free in time for Christmas, meaning people travelling to visit family and friends, or off on a camping or caravanning trip, can more easily reach their destinations.

Highways England’s Customer Service Director, Melanie Clarke, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible this Christmas and that’s why we’re keeping 99 per cent of the road network we manage free from roadworks.
“Over the past two years we’ve already added 190 lane miles of much needed capacity and that will make life easier for those travelling around this month, as the Christmas countdown begins.”

Highways England will also have more than 5,000 staff, including traffic officers and control room operatives, working around the clock over the festive period, helping to clear incidents and manage congestion.