DRIVERS of high-sided vehicle, caravans and motor cyclists are being advised to avoid Thelwall Viaduct, near Warrington from 8am tomorrow (Wednesday) when wind speeds are expected to reach 75mph.
The Highways Agency has issued a severe weather alert for gales across the North West throughout the whole of tomorrow and until 9am on Thursday.
Gusts of more than 50mph are expected along the region’s coast and over the Pennines from sunrise on tomrrow, with winds strengthening throughout the morning up to 70mph.
Hail, sleet and snow showers are also forecast, especially over the higher Pennine routes, where drivers can expect blizzard conditions. Visibility will be significantly reduced during the showers and also from the spray.
Andrew Olive, winter services manager at the Highways Agency, said:
“We’re expecting high winds across the region from Wednesday morning so we’re urging motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and to drive at appropriate speeds.
“If your journey isn’t essential then it may be better to travel at a different time, especially if you’re driving a lorry, caravan or motorbike as these vehicles are particularly vulnerable in high winds.
“Drivers should also check fuel and fluid levels, electrics and tyres before setting off to make sure their vehicles are as safe as possible.”
There is a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes could be blown over in the strong winds. Drivers of these kinds of vehicles are strongly advised to avoid the following roads if at all possible:
M53 Junction 1 Wallasey to Junction 2 Birkenhead
M56 Junction 12 Runcorn
M6 Junction 20 Lymm to Junction 21 Warrington (Thelwall Viaduct)
M6 Junction 26 (M58 Interchange) to Junction 27 Standish
M6 Junction 36 Kirkby Lonsdale to Junction 45 Gretna
M60 Junction 16 Swinton to Junction 17 Whitefield
M62 Junction 18 (M60/M66 Interchange) Manchester to Junction 27 (M621 Interchange) Leeds
M61 Junction 9 / M65 Junction 1 Interchange Blackburn
M65 Junction 3 to Junction 4 Blackburn
Road users should check their journeys before they travel by listening to traffic bulletins on the radio, visiting www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Winter driving advice and information is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk/winterhighways, alongside weather information and traffic updates.
DRIVERS of high-sided vehicle, caravans and motor cyclists are being
advised to avoid Thelwall Viaduct, near Warrington from 8am tomorrow
(Wednesday) when wind speeds are expected to reach 75mph.
Drivers warned of 75mph gales
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
