Advice to take extra care when travelling this weekend

Road users are being urged to take extra care when travelling on Devon’s roads this weekend.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning of strong winds for this Sunday (9 February) with Storm Ciara set to hit the UK.

Wind gusts may reach up to 80mph in coastal areas and 70mph inland which could leave debris on the roads. Coastal routes could be impacted and high sided vehicles could be unsettled in storm force winds.

The County Council has extra highways staff on hand to respond to any storm event issues such as flooding and fallen trees.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The Met Office warnings suggest this is expected to be the most severe storm of the winter so far, so we would encourage everyone to take extra care when travelling this weekend. There is a chance of surface water flooding and the possibility that trees could be blown down in the strongest gusts so there may be hazards on the road that you might not expect. I would urge people to avoid travelling at night in stormy conditions.”

The Yellow Warning is in force until just before midnight on Sunday night (9 February).

Devon County Council is reminding people of the following advice:

• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with poorer visibility;
• Be alert to fallen trees, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported;
• When the wind is at its peak, consider if your journey is really necessary, and be alert to weather warnings;
• Never drive through floodwater. Find an alternative route;
• Allow additional time for your journey;
• Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions.

For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert