Amber wind alert in place for road users

Road users are being urged to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out today (Monday, May 23).

The Met Office has issued a severe weather amber alert for the North West and surrounding areas with gusts of between 60 and 70mph expected from around midday today into the late afternoon. Some gusts of up to 80mph are also possible in exposed, more northerly areas, and rain is also expected in places – adding to potentially difficult driving conditions.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles such as caravans and motorcycles are being urged to avoid using exposed sections of motorways and other routes across the affected areas.

The Highways Agency, which operates and maintains motorways and major A roads in England is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions and maintain safe roads and reliable journeys.

Locations across the North West likely to be affected by gusts include: 

• M53 J1-J2 Wallasey to Birkenhead 
• M56 J12 Runcorn and Sutton Weaver
• M58 J1 Kirkby
• M6 J20-J21 Thelwall Viaduct
• M6 J26-J27 M58 to Standish 
• M6 J36-J44 Through Cumbria
• M60 J10-J12 Barton Bridge through to M62
• M60 J16-J17 Pendlebury and Kersley to Prestwich and Whitefield
• M62 J18 - J27 Between Manchester and Leeds
• M61 J4-J5 J5 Westhoughton
• M61 J9 / M65 J1 Interchange
• A56 Between M65 and A680 at Edenfield
• M65 J3-J4 Withnell and Blackburn Interchange
• A66 Between M6 J40 - A1(M) J60
• M6 Carlisle - Moss Band Viaduct
• All of the A69

Highways 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 they set out, checking the forecast and road conditions, to leave extra time for their journeys if travel conditions are poor, and to delay their journey if the weather becomes severe.