The Highways Agency, which operates and maintains motorways and other strategic roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions. Our winter fleet will be out treating motorways and other strategic roads around the clock while the cold weather continues. With exceptionally low temperatures forecast, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to check road conditions, and to plan their journeys before they set out, leaving extra time for their journeys if travel conditions are poor. Even where roads have been treated, drivers are advised to pay particular care at locations where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean that there may be an increased risk of difficult driving conditions. There is still a need to drive with care, even after road surfaces have been treated with salt and are clear of snow.Additionally, road users are advised to be prepared with warm clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch, and a shovel in case of snow.It can take ten times longer to stop when it is icy, so allow more room to slow down and stop. Avoid losing control of your vehicle because of wheel spin, by using the highest gear possible. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and sharp turns.Up-to-date information on road conditions on England’s motorways and trunk roads is available on the Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling 0300 123 5000. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio.Drivers should take care around spreading vehicles and vehicles clearing snow and should only overtake if they can do so safely, without driving on any un-cleared snow. Winter service vehicles are performing essential work to help keep roads open and may be travelling at low speed.End