MAJOR roadworks in Essex will be lifted ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Resurfacing works on the M25, between junctions 30 and 31 at South Ockendon, and improvement works on the A1023 in Brentwood, will both be halted from Friday morning until Thursday, May 28. Highways England usually reinstates roadworks on Tuesdays after a bank holiday, but is extending the suspension due to the threat of rail disruption.

The RMT union has called a 24- hour strike, starting at 5pm on Monday, which threatens to cause widespread cancellations.

Simon Sheldon-Wilson, director of customer operations at Highways England, said: “We are working with Network Rail and others to manage the impact of any industrial action on our customers.

“Motorways and major routes are likely to be even busier than usual if the planned industrial action goes ahead as travellers switch from rail to roads.

“During and immediately after the bank holiday we will be doing everything possible to manage traffic, such as removing temporary roadworks where practical.”