National Highways clears the way for Easter weekend

National Highways is stepping up to make Easter travel simple by removing roadworks ahead of the holiday rush. 

With many people expected to head to Devon for the Easter weekend, National Highways is ensuring smoother journeys for motorists.

Beverley Mears, South West Customer Service Manager for National Highways said: "Our motorways and A roads around the South West always see higher volumes of traffic ahead of and during weekends, Bank Holidays and school holidays, and, as in previous years, we’re anticipating to see increased traffic levels this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

"We provide regular traffic updates on our HighwaysSWEST Twitter feed and to stay informed about driving conditions during their journeys, drivers are advised to follow messages on the overhead signs and listen to radio updates.".”

To ease the Easter getaway, National Highways have said they will clear over 850 miles of roadworks, leaving 98 per cent of England’s major roads free from construction. 

These roadworks will be removed by March 28 and won't return until April 2.

Andy Butterfield, Customer Services Director at National Highways, said: “This is the first bank holiday of the year, so we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.”

Alice Simpson, from RAC Breakdown, said: “Anyone who can delay leaving on Thursday 28 March until much later in the evening or set off as early as possible on Good Friday is likely to have a better journey than those who travel during the peak periods of the day.  

“To have the best chance of a straightforward journey, we encourage motorists to check fuel, oil and coolant levels, along with tyre pressures and treads, before setting off.” 

A Met Office spokesperson said: “The UK will see a typical mix of spring weather in the run-up to Easter, with periods of showers, rain and winds, as well as some sunny spells at times. Unsettled conditions are the main theme of the forecast through much of the week, with low pressure exerting its influence, bringing periods of rain from the west, some of which could be heavy in nature.”