Easter travel: Shropshire roadworks lifted to ease traffic delays

Highways England said the works at the Gledrid roundabout between Oswestry and Chirk will be stopped over the Bank Holiday weekend to ease delays.

It is lifting more than 300 miles of roadworks across the country for Easter to improve holiday journeys for millions of motorists and passengers.

Almost 98 per cent of motorways and strategic A roads will be roadworks-free over the bank holiday, meaning motorists and their passengers can enjoy journeys with as little disruption as possible.

HIghways England is also reminding drivers to check their vehicles before they set off as it was revealed around 20 motorists break down every day because they have run out of fuel.

Latest statistics show almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks. Nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.

Highways England Chief Executive, Jim O’Sullivan said: "I want all drivers to arrive at their destinations safely.

"We are removing almost all of our roadworks across the country to make people’s journeys easier for people this Easter and we are urging drivers to make sure they are ready by checking their fuel, tyres, and lights.

"Anyone who runs out of fuel is putting themselves and other road users, including their own passengers at risk. With a few simple checks that risk can be overcome and everyone will be safer.

" The government is investing £15 billion to improve the strategic road network.

"The improvements will keep traffic moving even in the busiest periods, cutting congestion – and we are taking action to reduce delays over the bank holiday break. We are completing 190 and suspending 119 miles of roadworks by 6am today to 12.01am on April 16 to help people get away this Easter with as little disruption as possible.

Easter Sunday is expected to be the quietest day on the roads with 25 per cent fewer vehicles compared with an average Sunday.

A number of rail services will be disrupted as Network Rail carries out more than 200 engineering projects.

Trains to London, Manchester, Bath, Edinburgh and Glasgow are among those affected.

Network Rail said it is carrying out the work over the four-day weekend as fewer passengers use the railways on bank holidays.

Airports are also expecting a rush of holidaymakers jetting off overseas.

Some 868,000 people are due to travel through Heathrow Airport between Good Friday and Easter Monday, including an extra 200,000 families compared with a typical Friday to Monday period.

Inrix head of research Graham Cookson said: "With UK drivers spending an average of 30 hours in congestion last year, motorists are no stranger to sitting in traffic.

"We expect significant delays over the Easter period due to a combination of factors, including the regular post-work peak, the start of the school break, people travelling on holiday, railway engineering works and Tube closures.

"Our advice to drivers is to consider alternative routes or avoid peak times altogether."