HALTON’S Easter holidaymakers will be able to travel more freely during the bank holiday weekend as 98 per cent of England’s motorways and major A roads will be free of road works.

The Highways Agency will be clearing seven out of 10 sets of road works to help minimise congestion and smooth journeys over the bank holiday weekend.

More than 150 miles of road works will be completed by Thursday, April 17, and more than 165 miles of road works are being suspended until Tuesday 22 April.

Simon Sheldon-Wilson, director of traffic management at the agency, said: "We are investing record amounts in improvements on our network and recognise there will be disruption.

“That is why we plan our work to keep that disruption to a minimum and lift as many road works as possible at busy or peak times such as Easter.

“People will be able to travel more freely this weekend as more than 300 miles of road works are completed or suspended on our roads.

"Before setting out, we ask people to plan their journeys and make use of the range of traffic information services we provide to ensure the Easter getaway is as smooth as possible."

Maundy Thursday evening and Easter Monday afternoon are usually the busiest over the bank holiday weekend, especially on the main holiday routes, as people set out and return from short breaks or day trips.

The Highways Agency provides information services to help people check traffic conditions for the motorways and other strategic roads.

Live traffic information is available through highways.gov.uk, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone.

The Agency provides regional Twitter feeds for live traffic information, available at highways.gov.uk/twitter.

Road users can also call the Highways Agency information line on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.