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Amber wind alert in place for northern areas

Government Communications (NDS)

11 January 2012

The Highways Agency has issued an Amber Alert for high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes, whose drivers and riders are advised to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of vehicles being blown over. They are also advised to avoid exposed stretches of road if at all possible.Met Office information suggests the potential for westerly to south westerly gales of up to 65mph between midnight tonight (Wednesday 11 January) and possibly right through tomorrow’s peak travel period until after 9am.Gales are most likely to affect more northerly parts of the region - in Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire.Locations likely to be affected by gusts include in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber:• • A1(M) J47-J49 Between A59 Knaresborough and A168 Dishforth • A1(M) J58-J65 Between A1 and Washington at J65 • A66 Between M6 J40 – A1(M) J60• A19 Hylton Bridge over River Wear • A19 Tees Viaduct • A19 Leven Viaduct• A69 all of it And in the North West the locations include:• M6 J36-J44 through Cumbria• A66 between M6 J40 – A1(M) J60• M6 Carlisle to Moss Band Viaduct• A69 – all of itHighways Agency Traffic Officers at the North West and North East regional control centres and outstations across the two regions are monitoring weather and traffic conditions and are ready to respond to any incidents as well as using electronic message signs to warn and advise drivers of conditions.Road users are advised to plan their journeys before setting out, checking the forecast, road conditions and leaving extra time if travel conditions are poor or to delay their journeys if the weather becomes severe.Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is also available on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line at 0300 123 5000. Regional Twitter feeds are also available with a full list of links at www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.For information on weather conditions drivers can visit the Met Office websitewww.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio.END