Driving home for Christmas: National Highways to lift and complete roadworks across Sussex

This means nearly 98 per cent of motorways and major A-roads will be roadworks-free in time for those travelling to see loved ones or making other journeys for Christmas. 

To help keep festive disruption to a minimum, the vast majority of roadworks will be removed from England’s motorway and major A-road network from 6am on Tuesday 20 December until 12.01am on Tuesday 3 January. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Being stuck in traffic can take the joy out of travelling home over the festive period. Given the disruption expected from the transport unions’ strike action and cold weather, I’m pleased that we could act to remove these roadworks - reducing congestion and helping people with their important journeys this Christmas.”

The government-owned company, which operates and maintains a 4,500-mile network of motorways and major A-roads, is also working to ensure that any industrial action will not affect road users’ experience over the Christmas and New Year period.

Strikes will be staged by the PCS union within each National Highways region in December and early January. Action involving a minority of traffic officers and control room operators begins in the north of England on Friday, December 16, before taking place in other regions over the following three weeks.

National Highways can provide reassurance that there are comprehensive plans in place to minimise any potential disruption. For example, resources can be shared between control centres around the country to assist with call handling and the setting of signs and signals.

National Highways customer service director, Andrew Butterfield said:  “We don’t want roadworks to spoil Christmas so we’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible; that’s why we’re keeping almost 98 per cent of the road network we manage free from roadworks. 

“We know from experience that peak travel times can vary in the run up to Christmas and so we’re encouraging drivers to check traffic conditions before heading out to help keep traffic flowing. 

“And we’re also asking motorists to be prepared before setting off. Almost half of breakdowns can be easily avoided if motorists carry out simple vehicle checks before their journeys.” 

To make sure Christmas journeys go as planned, National Highways is encouraging drivers to check traffic conditions before they set off and to make sure their vehicle is ready for the journey ahead.  

With much of the country experiencing sub-zero temperatures in recent days, National Highways, which operates England’s 4,500-mile strategic road network, is reminding drivers to take care during the poor weather while also giving gritting teams space to operate.

The government-owned company switched over to autumn and winter operations on October 1, readying teams at 128 depots across the country to keep the country’s busiest roads open in the face of deteriorating weather.

The areas affected include:

A27 Eastern Road (near Drayton St. Leonard)

0.37 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Pevensey (near Pevensey)

0.13 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A23 Bolney (near Haywards Heath)

0.1 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Upper Brighton Road (near Lancing)

0.12 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A259 Camber Lane to Brenzett (near Rye)

6.74 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A259 Brockland to Wallpack Corner (near Rye)

1.29 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Polegate to Beddingham (near Polegate)

4.3 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Fontwell (near Bognor Regis)

0.13 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Grove Lodge to Lyons Farm (near Worthing)

0.08 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A21 Whatlington Road to Vinehall Farm (near Robertsbridge)

0.08 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Crockhurst Hill to Grove Lodge (near Worthing)

0.09 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Fontwell (near Bognor Regis)

0.16 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Vale Avenue to Patcham (near Patcham)

0.2 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A259 Fishmarket Road to New Road (near Rye)

0.12 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A259 Little Common Roundabout to Broadoak (near Bexhill)

0.16 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Arundel Road to Castle Goring (near Worthing)

0.63 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A21 Paygate Road to Whydown Hill (near Hastings)

0.08 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A259 Monkbretton Bridge to Camber Road (near Rye)

0.27 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

M23 Junction 10 (near Crawley)

0.77 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.

A27 Arundel to The Causeway (near Arundel)

0.49 miles of roadworks completed for the Christmas & New Year period.