ROADWORKS are being put on hold from today in a bid to make people’s journeys for Christmas as smooth as possible.

National Highways has announced 95% of works across the UK were lifted at 6am this morning (December 20), and will not return until 12.01am on Thursday, January 2.

The organisation said the move would help “make sure major routes across the UK are clear for motorists during the busy festive period”.

Significant routes to benefit from roadworks being lifted or completed for the festive period include:

• More than 100 miles of roadworks on the M25 London orbital
• Over 25 miles of roadworks on the M4 between J4 near Heathrow and J14 at Hungerford
• More than 12 miles of roadworks the M27 near to J3 and Southampton
• A three-mile stretch on the M62 Ouse Bridge between junctions 36 to 37
• More than 33 miles of roadworks across the A47 from Peterborough to Lowestoft
• 28 miles of roadworks on the M1 between Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes
• 59 miles of roadworks on the A14 between Thrapston, Northamptonshire to Felixstowe in Suffolk

National Highways said today was expected to be the busiest day on the roads over the festive period, with 7.2 million people estimated to be planning journeys of more than two hours.

Drivers are being encouraged to plan and prepare now by packing a winter travel kit including de-icer, an ice scraper, warm clothing, boots, food, water, a torch, and a snow shovel.

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, said: “Christmas will be off to a smoother start, thanks to National Highways lifting roadworks, helping everyone to get away safely and smoothly to their well-earned breaks.

“This government is committed to a safe and reliable road network, delivering for taxpayer and connecting communities across the country.”

Andrew Butterfield, National Highways customer service director, said: “With more people expected to travel during the festive period and recent storms causing widespread disruption, it’s crucial for drivers to plan ahead and exercise extra caution on the roads.

“To help make journeys smoother, we’re removing roadworks on 95% of the roads we manage and to reduce the risk of breakdowns, we are also urging motorists to check their vehicles using the handy acronym TRIP – especially tyres, coolant, and oil levels before setting off.”