About 280 miles of roadworks are set to be completed in time for the bank holiday weekend More than two-thirds of traffic works on main roads will completed or suspended for the bank holiday weekend getaway, the Highways Agency had said.
The agency, responsible for motorways and major trunk roads in England, said the move would help traffic flows.
But there was a bad start for motorists heading to the South West with the M5 closed at Cullompton, near Exeter, after an eight-vehicle pile-up.
The bank holiday weather is set to be mostly fine over the UK, with showers.
The Highways Agency said about 280 miles of roadworks at 83 locations would be completed in time for the weekend.
A further 24 sets of roadworks and lane restrictions covering 64 miles will be removed by 0600 BST on Friday until at least midnight on Monday.
The agency said the measures would provide extra capacity for holiday traffic, and its traffic officers would be patrolling the network to help the smooth flow of vehicles.
However, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain in place for safety reasons at 32 sites.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “The completion and lifting of these roadworks will help those planning to drive over a notoriously busy weekend for our roads.
“More than 98% of the network will be clear of roadworks, meaning more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted.”
He added: “Traffic officers will also be patrolling the network to help clear up any incidents as quickly as possible. And the Highways Agency will continue to provide a range of traffic information services to help road users plan their journeys.”
The crash on the M5 happened on the northbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 28 shortly before 2100 BST on Thursday.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sent six appliances to the scene and the road was closed in both directions as firefighters cut people from their vehicles.
Air ambulances and a helicopter from RAF Kinloss in Moray were involved in the emergency services’ operation as seven people were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, but no fatalities have been reported.
Other people were treated at the scene by paramedics, and a respite centre was set up in Cullompton.
A Devon & Cornwall Police spokeswoman said a number of those injured remained in a serious condition.
BBC weather forecaster Simon King said there would be sunny spells for most people on Friday, with some showers.
Bank Holiday Monday is set to be mostly dry with sunny spells, with maximum temperatures of 20C (68F) in London and Cardiff, 18C (64.4F) in Belfast and 17C (62.6F) in Edinburgh.
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