Roadworks on the M27 will be removed over Christmas in order to allow motorists smoother journeys over the festive period.

National Highways is removing over 1,100 miles of roadworks nationwide from motorways and major A-roads to help minimise disruption during peak travel times.

More than 12 miles of roadworks on the M27 will stop from 6am on Friday, December 20, until 12.01am on Thursday, January 2.

Currently, National Highways is resurfacing the road between junctions 5 and 7 to remove the concrete road surface.

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Andrew Butterfield, National Highways customer service director, said: “With more people expected to travel during the festive period and recent storms causing widespread disruption, it’s crucial for drivers to plan ahead and exercise extra caution on the roads. 

“To help make journeys smoother, we’re removing roadworks on 95 per cent of the roads we manage and to reduce the risk of breakdowns, we are also urging motorists to check their vehicles using the handy acronym TRIP - especially tyres, coolant, and oil levels before setting off."

Friday, December 20 is expected to be the busiest day on the roads over the festive period, with 7.2 million people estimated to be planning journeys of more than two hours.

Drivers are being encouraged to plan and prepare for journeys by packing a winter travel kit including de-icer, an ice scraper, warm clothing, boots, food, water, a torch, and a snow shovel.