Amber alert as gales forecast

Road users in the North West are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel tomorrow (Thursday 8 December) as gale force winds are expected.

As a result of these high winds, 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 gales between 9.00am and midnight tomorrow with south westerly gales of around 60mph expected then strengthening to up to 70mph and changing to westerly – particularly affecting exposed north to south sections of the strategic roads network.


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

Locations likely to be affected by gusts in the North West 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 to Moss Band Viaduct
• A69 – all of it 

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.