GALE force winds are scheduled to sweep the region as police advise motorists to be cautious.

Road users are being urged to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys this afternoon and this evening (Thursday, January 15) as the Met Office has issued an amber weather warning. 

Gusts of up to 70mph are forecast between 3pm and 11pm and the Highways Agency is urging drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles to avoid using exposed sections of motorways.

Wind speeds are set to peak between 5pm and 8pm.

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.

The A66 running between Cumbria and County Durham is currently closed to high sided vehicles between Brough and Bowes.

Locations in the North West potentially affected by gusts later this afternoon and this evening 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-J45 - 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 (Scotch Corner)

A69 - All of it - South-westerly gusting

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Drivers are advised to plan their journeys before they set out and to leave extra time for their journeys if travel conditions are poor, and to delay their journey if the weather becomes severe.

Road users should heed messages on the overhead signs and listen for radio updates. 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.

More advice on driving in windy weather is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368119/winterhighways_info_sheet_-_driving_-_windy_weather.pdf

More advice on winter driving generally is available at:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter/out-and-about/road