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The Westmorland Gazette
News, sport and entertainment from South lakeland, the Dales and North Lancashire
'Winter isn't over yet': Highways Agency warns motorists to prepare as forecasters predict snow will hit Cumbria again (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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'Winter isn't over yet': Highways Agency warns motorists to prepare as forecasters predict snow will hit Cumbria again
4:05pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News
DRIVERS are being advised to keep up to date with the latest weather information as the Met Office forecasts yet another wintry blast to hit Cumbria over the coming days.
Echoing warnings from forecasters, the Highways Agency said heavy rain is expected to turn to snow, bringing blizzard conditions to some parts of the North West.
The agency, which manages motorways and major A roads in England, has issued an amber alert for northern England.
Difficult driving conditions are being forecast as snow falls over the north west during the early hours of Friday morning, spreading steadily northwards.
Dean Snowden, Met Office forecaster based in the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre, said: “The combination of snow and strong winds will mean blizzard conditions, with roads such as the M62 and Woodhead Pass first to bear the brunt tomorrow morning.
"After spreading across most of the northern parts of the Highways Agency network, it looks very likely the severe weather will then edge southwards again with the Midlands seeing more snow on Saturday and this spreading into East Anglia and even further into the south east during the weekend."
The Highways Agency said traffic officers would be monitoring weather and traffic conditions around the clock and will be on hand to quickly respond to incidents.
Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre, said: “Winter certainly isn't over yet and there's not been much rest for our gritting fleet.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure our roads are affected as little as possible by the adverse weather but we would urge road users to play their part by checking weather forecasts and traffic conditions before they set out and to drive with extra care."
