HALF of all roadworks on England's motorways and major 'A' roads will be lifted or completed ahead of the August Bank Holiday, the Highways Agency has announced. However, work on the A3 in preparation for the Hindhead tunnel will remain in place, with "slight delays" expected. Between the A3 in Hindhead and the Liphook junction, the construction of a new bypass has resulted in single lane closures, contraflow and layby closures with speed reduced to 40/50 mph. Meanwhile, on the stretch of road between Lea Coach Road and Boundless Road, the construction of the new bypass has resulted in a single lane closure north and southbound with narrow lanes and a possible contraflow. A 40 mph speed limit has been enforced for safety. Drivers are being urged to prepare for the holiday getaway by planning their journeys and checking their vehicles before taking to the road, and making sure they have enough fuel for their journey. In the first six months of 2007 the Highways Agency dealt with 4,678 recorded incidents of people's vehicles running out of fuel on the country's motorways. The South East Regional Control Centre who cover motorways across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire dealt with 788 of these incidents, 17per cent of the national total. Derek Turner, the Highways Agency's director of traffic operations, said: "Removing roadworks for the Bank Holiday is just one of the ways that the Highways Agency helps drivers to make more reliable journeys over the holiday weekend. "We also provide information for drivers about traffic conditions on the motorways and major A roads from our website, telephone information service and our new traffic radio service. "We are also asking drivers to help themselves to a safer journey by carrying out checks on their vehicles and making sure they are topped up with fuel. "Our traffic officers help many drivers who have broken down simply because they have run out of fuel during their journey. "Remember that an unexpected delay to your journey uses up more fuel, particularly with air conditioning running in hot weather." Drivers and passengers are also being advised to make sure they have plenty of water and refreshments with them on their journey. Holiday routes are traditionally busy all over the weekend so drivers are advised to plan their route and check for delays before they set off and during their journey. The Friday afternoon before the holiday is often the busiest. The Highways Agency says that if drivers can try to avoid the peak journey times everyone would benefit. Journey information, including the latest road conditions, is available through the Highways Agency website, the new Traffic Radio service on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk">www.trafficradio.org.uk, at motorway service areas and through news bulletins. Officers will be patrolling all motorways across England over the Bank Holiday weekend, working closely with contractors and the police to keep as many lanes as possible open.
