There’s good news for motorcyclists planning on riding home for Christmas as National Highways has confirmed it’s removing or concluding more than 1,000 miles of roadworks across the UK across the festive period.
From 6am, Tuesday 19th December 2023 until 12.01am, Tuesday 2nd January more than 98% of motorways and major A-roads will be roadworks free allowing for journeys across the festive fortnight to be smooth sailing with increased accuracy of satnav eta. You can find a full list of all the roadworks being suspended or removed below. (If you’re on a desktop computer just hit ctrl + F to find a road).
National Highways Customer Service Director Andrew Butterfield said: “December is an incredibly busy period which is why we’re improving journeys for motorists by keeping 98 per cent of the roads we manage free from roadworks over Christmas. We know from experience that peak travel times can vary at this time of year, so it’s really important that drivers [and rider – Ed] check traffic conditions before heading out to help keep traffic flowing.”
Even without 50mph average speed check zones, narrow lanes or even traffic lights to hinder your progress, riding through the winter in the UK still has plenty of other hazards to occupy your concentration. Riding in the rain, cold or even snowy conditions come packed with their own hazards, though the latter can almost be removed as Sky News weather producer, Christopher England, this week said that while the forecast for the festive period remains "very uncertain", he added: "It really doesn't look like a white Christmas away from Scottish hills."
"There's a small chance of something more wintry developing after Christmas and into the New Year” and that the coming days would be "basically unsettled" before a "calmer, drier spell" over the weekend and into next week as Christmas approaches.
Nevertheless, if you’re planning a longer-than-usual journey, or riding on unfamiliar roads or in unfamiliar conditions then take stock and browse these advice guides while preparing yourself and your bike, as well as some handy riding tips:
And don’t forget, if you’re a BikeSocial member then there’s plenty of discounts and offers available on base layers, Gore-Tex kit and new helmets to name but a few.
Though if you’re more of a fair weather rider then chances are you’ll have already tucked your loved one up for the winter, but if not then take look at our Winter Motorcycle Storage Guide.
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