Tuesday 16:20
Drivers are being advised by the Highways Agency to check weather forecasts and road conditions before they travel, following a Met Office forecast of widespread snow across England overnight on Wednesday and during Thursday.
The Met Office is expecting snow across South West England and Wales, late Wednesday night. Heavy snow is expected to spread across the Midlands, London, the South East and into East Anglia during Thursday morning.
It's possible that the heavy snow could affect Central and Southern England during the times when people are setting out to travel to work or school on Thursday morning.
Up to 5cm of snow could fall in many places with as much as 15cm in higher locations. Parts of northern England may also have snow for a time.
The Highways Agency has 400 salt spreading vehicles on stand-by. England's motorways and major A-roads will be treated with salt before the snow arrives and work to treat and clear the roads will continue throughout the cold snap. Drivers should take care around salt spreaders and vehicles that clear snow.
Road users should check weather forecasts and road conditions before they set out, and to listen to travel bulletins while they are on the road.
If the weather is severe, don't travel unless your journey is essential. Delay your journey until conditions improve.
People are also advised to make sure they are prepared with warm clothes, food, water, boots, de-icer, a torch and spade, particularly for long journeys.
Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads, is available on the Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk or call 08457 504030. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio broadcasts.
Note to Editors 1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
3. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
4. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 (Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 3p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more. Service operates: 08.00 - 20.00 weekdays, 09.00 - 17.00 weekends).
Stay safe on the roads this winter
Winter weather makes driving dangerous - but you can stay safer by following six important messages from the Highways Agency and the Department for Transport's Think road safety campaign:
1. In winter, our weather can change quickly. If there is severe weather don't travel unless your journey is essential. If you must drive, always be prepared for bad weather.
2. Plan your journey before you go. Check your route for delays and check the weather forecast. While you are driving listen to travel news on the radio. Information about current road conditions is on the Highways Agency's website http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo/
3. In case you get stuck, keep these things in your car: * Warm clothes * Food and water * Boots * De-icer * Torch * Spade
4. Take care around gritters and vehicles that clear snow. Only overtake them if you can do so safely and without going on to uncleared snow.
5. It can take ten times longer to stop when it is icy, so allow more room to slow down and stop.
6. To avoid losing control of your car because of wheel spin, use the highest gear that you can. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and sharp turns.
Remember that tiredness kills. Take regular breaks from driving.
Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office. For further information please contact 020 7081 7443. Out of hours the Highways Agency Duty Press Officer can be contacted by phoning 020 7081 7443.
Client ref HA 07-07
