Snow alert issued for drivers in the North

Drivers are being urged to be prepared before setting out on journeys on Friday 29 December after Highways England issued a severe weather alert for the North.

With snow forecast for the early hours of Friday morning, Highways England’s gritting teams will be working around the clock to treat roads and keep them free from disruption.

An amber warning for snow will be in place across the North West, Yorkshire and the North East between 4am and 11am tomorrow morning following a Met Office forecast of snow.

Highways England routes most likely to be affected include the M61, M65, M66, M6 north of junction 36, M62 between junctions 21 and 23, and the M60 between junctions 15 and 24 as well as the A69, A66 Old Spital and A628 Woodhead Pass

Snowfall of between 2 and 10cm is predicted on higher routes, with up to 15cm over the Pennines.

Chris Chadwick, Emergency Planning Officer at Highways England, said:

“Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.

“If you need to travel in the morning, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.

“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel.”

Highways England is advising drivers to pay attention to messages on the overhead electronic signs and listen for radio updates. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by following @highwaysnwest @highwaysneast or @highwaysyorks on Twitter.