Frantic Friday: Misery for West Midlands drivers as major roadworks stay in place

But it is set to be a miserable trip for drivers in the region with major roadworks remaining in place, while other schemes across the country are halted.

Motorists have been warned to face delays, particularly today, which has been dubbed 'Frantic Friday' by the RAC – with up to 1.3 million vehicles due to be on the region's roads.

In an attempt to alleviate delays, Highways England has announced it has lifted as many roadworks as possible - with 99 per cent of the country's motorway and A-road network being free of roadworks.

However it will be yet more misery for drivers in the West Midlands with major disruption still in place, especially on the M5.

The long-standing roadworks on the popular motorway between Junctions 1, for West Bromwich, and 2, for Oldbury, will remain in place, clogging up a stretch which links the motorway with the M6.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "In the Midlands we’re undertaking major concrete and waterproofing repairs at the Oldbury viaduct and it wouldn’t be safe for us to remove this scheme for a couple of days.

"Indeed, removing the roadworks would create more disruption to people’s journeys. We’re working hard to complete work as quickly as we can and with as little disruption as possible. We’d ask motorists to bear with us and allow extra time for their journeys if travelling on the M5.”

Also on the M5 drivers are warned to expect delays between junction 5, for Droitwich, and 4a, for Bromsgrove, and on junction 4a's link with the M42 Westbound.

There will also be delays on the M6 Junction 6 slip road, for Birmingham, from the A38 Aston Expressway.

Roadworks on the A5 Ogley Hay junction near Brownhills will also still be in place over the festive period.

RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “As always, the message to drivers is to plan ahead and try to avoid peak times if you can.”