IT’S the news that will be music to the ears of drivers planning to hit the road this Christmas.

Traffic cones will be removed and some speed restrictions in place for ongoing works will be lifted over the festive period to ensure Hampshire’s road network is running smoothly.

In a bid to help travellers get to their Christmas destinations earlier, hundreds of miles of roadworks will stop from Tuesday and won’t resume until Friday, January 2.

The Highways Agency aims to complete or lift 156 schemes across nearly 400 of the country’s road network to ensure, as much as they can, that traffic flows.

However, some roadworks including improvements to the M27 will remain in place during the Christmas holiday.

Roads bosses say 264 miles of roadworks at 107 locations will be completed in time for Christmas Eve.

A further 49 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions will be removed across 118 miles of carriageway by 6am on Tuesday until midnight on Friday, January 2.

Highways Agency director of customer operations, Simon Sheldon- Wilson, said: “This Christmas, we’re helping road users make important journeys to see family and friends by clearing roadworks across the majority of motorways and major A-roads in England.

“This will be a great help to people travelling over the festive period – by lifting or completing roadworks, more lanes will be open and many of the associated speed restrictions will also be lifted.”

The Highways Agency is also expecting some routes such as the A27 to get busy between December 21 and January 1.

Drivers are also advised to plan ahead in case of severe weather conditions or if there are problems with the vehicle.

Mr Sheldon-Wilson added: “We advise drivers to plan longer journeys before setting out, making sure you check weather and travel conditions.

“It’s also worth packing an emergency winter kit in your boot before making any seasonal journeys this Christmas.

“Make sure you’ve got de-icer, an ice-scraper, warm clothes, boots and a torch, in case your vehicle breaks down.”

CHRISTMAS ROADWORKS

ROADWORKS TO BE COMPLETED

A303 near Hayes End; A34 / M40 J9 near Bicester; along the A27 at Shoreham By-pass, and at Manor Road near Worthing;
A27 at Arundel and Crossbush near Chichester and at Manor Road near Chichester and Lewes Road near Brighton.

LIFTED
A36 near Upton Lovell, near Warminster; construction of new roundabout at A27 Chichester By-pass.

REMAINING

Junction improvements at J3 M27; Junction improvements at J5 M27, near Eastleigh; waterproofing works between junctions 3 to 2 at M27 near Ower; J6 M3, near Basingstoke; J8 – 9 M4 near Reading; J10 Links M4 near Wokingham; J2-J4A, M3 near Farnborough.