{"id":93773,"date":"2018-07-10T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=0b16df45652943d525c2498e3bfd0b68"},"modified":"2018-07-11T13:51:31","modified_gmt":"2018-07-11T13:51:31","slug":"press-release-its-coming-home-be-safe-and-marvel-at-englands-two-world-cup-motorways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=93773","title":{"rendered":"Press release: ‘It\u2019s coming home\u2019 \u2013 be safe and marvel at England\u2019s two \u2018World Cup\u2019 motorways!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated:<\/em> Change of image<\/p>\n

\n

As fans\u2019 cheer on Harry Kane and co in their bid for World Cup semi-final glory, the country\u2019s busiest roads are set to fall somewhat more silent than they normally would be midweek at 7pm.<\/p>\n

A brief analysis of traffic on each of the England match days to date, comparing an hour before kick-off to two hours after, showed that during the games demand reduced by up to 33%.<\/p>\n

And the roads were not busier than normal immediately before, or after the games, suggesting people are often choosing not to travel or to travel at completely different times, rather than to change their journeys to earlier or later times in the same day.<\/p>\n

Highway England, the government company responsible for motorways and major A roads, is urging anyone travelling home to watch the match, and anyone travelling while it is on, to stay safe.<\/p>\n

Frank Bird, one of Highways England\u2019s emergency planning officers, said:<\/p>\n

\n

Along with the rest of the country, we\u2019ll be cheering on England! We want them to bring it home \u2013 and we want everyone on our roads to get home safely.<\/p>\n

When England played Columbia we noticed traffic levels drop by about a third so we\u2019re anticipating similar on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on the road \u2013 please drive safely and keep your focus on the journey. And then we look forward to doing it all again on Sunday!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

England motorways and major A roads normally carry 4 million journeys a day.<\/p>\n

And two of them could have a strange connection to the World Cup!<\/p>\n

The M66 and M18 are exactly 52 miles apart \u2013 the same as the number of years since England last won the World Cup.<\/p>\n

The M18 also opened the year after England\u2019s 1966 win and has seven junctions, which happens to be the number of matches England will have played if we reach the World Cup Final.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, make sure you don\u2019t miss tomorrow\u2019s kick-off by carrying out some simple vehicle checks to ensure your vehicle is fit for your journey and you get to your destination safely.<\/p>\n

During the warm weather, make sure you have plenty of water on board, and while driving, look out for signs and signals, like Red Xs. These are shown above closed lanes \u2013 and may be protecting people who have stopped in a live lane, or keeping access open for emergency services going to their aid.<\/p>\n

Highways England traffic officers will be working around the clock to help people who get into difficulty, but are urging motorists to:<\/p>\n