ROADWORKS on the M62 near Huddersfield will not be lifted for Christmas.

The Highways Agency said it planned to complete more than 500 miles of roadworks this week in a bid to help traffic for the big Christmas getaway.

A further 60 miles will be suspended from December 23 until January 3, but the 12-mile section of the motorway near Huddersfield will remain.

In total, 118 sets of roadworks should be finished by Christmas with works staying in place at 26 locations, including a 32-mile section of the M1 near Luton in Bedfordshire.

Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, said: “Christmas is one of the busiest times on our roads and that’s why we will be completing or lifting roadworks wherever possible to help people get back to see their families and loved ones.

“More than 98% of the strategic (major) road network will be roadworks free, meaning that more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted.

“And councils have more rock salt than before to make sure they can cope with an icy blast.”

Clr Peter Box, chairman of the Local Government Association’s economy and transport board, said: “Councils have got more salt this year along with better plans and new technology to make it go further. They’ve installed and filled thousands of extra grit bins, given equipment to parish councils, community groups and snow wardens, and their websites will be constantly updated with the latest information.”