ALMOST 1,000 miles of roadworks will be lifted across the UK this bank holiday weekend.

National Highways has announced the move in a bid to help motorists during the big bank holiday getaway.

A total of 972 miles of roadworks will be lifted and completed in time for the late summer getaway, with seaside resorts, airports and theme parks likely to be among popular destinations.

The roadworks will be removed from 6am this morning (August 25) and not put back in place until after midnight on Tuesday (August 19).

Roads Minister, Richard Holden, said: “To help everybody get away for the long weekend as smoothly and safely as possible, National Highways is lifting roadworks across the August Bank Holiday.

“I encourage everybody planning to travel on the roads this weekend to follow National Highways’ guidance to check their vehicles before setting off, take regular breaks and drive safely.”

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National Highways senior network planner, Frank Bird, said: “It’s really important that drivers play their part in helping to keep people moving this August Bank Holiday because we expect roads to be busy.

“We’d say it’s good practice to make sure there is enough fuel to reach the destination and we’d also remind people to keep an eye on the gauge during the journey.

“We’d also say top-up the screen-wash to make sure you have good visibility of the road ahead.

“We’re also calling on motorists to plan regular rest stops because we know that long journeys can be tiring.

“Every two hours we’d advise people to stop, grab a coffee and get some fresh air for at least 15 minutes before carrying on with their trip.”