More than 400 drivers deliberately entered closed-off roadworks in England between January and the end of July 2026, according to National Highways data, prompting renewed warnings about risks to roadworkers.
National Highways said 53% of recorded incursions during the period involved drivers attempting to avoid queues, closures or diversions. The proportion has risen from 47% in 2020.
Incursions are incidents in which vehicles enter restricted roadwork areas. While most of those recorded were linked to drivers seeking to gain time or avoid delays, some involved breakdowns or unintentional entries.
Motorway closure followed close calls
National Highways said unsafe driver behaviour had led to full motorway closures and significant delays. Following a series of close calls on the M1 in Hertfordshire, a section of the motorway was closed to protect workers, resulting in a 10-mile diversion for drivers.
Across England’s motorways and major A roads, 1,633 incursions were recorded last year, according to the organisation.
Melanie Clarke OBE, director of health, safety and wellbeing at National Highways, said: “These figures show a worrying number of drivers wilfully ignoring roadworks to save time, putting roadworkers and other people at risk.
“Our roadworkers have the right to carry out repairs and improvements safely and we ask all drivers to follow signed routes and never enter restricted areas.”
Sinead Ryan, traffic management foreman for HW Martin, said roadworkers operated close to live traffic and could not control drivers’ actions.
“When someone ignores a closure or drives into a work area, it only takes a second for someone to get hurt,” she said. “There are real people working behind those cones and all we’re trying to do is get home safely at the end of the day.”
National Highways said it was continuing to work with supply chain partners to reduce the risk of incursions.