Storm Henry: Warning to motorists on Woodhead Pass

Highways England and the Met Office are advising that high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles avoid the A628 Woodhead Pass and some other routes across the region.

Drivers across the region are being urged to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys today in particular those using exposed locations on the A66 over the Pennines and high spots of the A69. High winds are forecast until 4am tomorrow.

Andrew Charnick, emergency planning manager at Highways England said: “We issue severe weather alerts when there is a significant risk to vehicles using motorways and major A roads. The amber status means drivers should be prepared before setting out on journeys.

“There’s a particular risk to lorries and other vulnerable vehicles, such as caravans and motorbikes, so we’re asking drivers to slow down and to avoid using exposed sections of motorways and other route if possible.”

Mr Charnick added: “We are working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions and maintain safe roads and reliable journeys. We will have extra traffic officers and recovery vehicles to help respond to any incidents.”

Other routes to be avoided by high-side vehicles today are:

M1 junction 39 to 40 – Crigglestone to Dewsbury

M62 junction 23 to 25 – Huddersfield to Brighouse

M62 junction 31 to 32 – Normanton to Pontefract

M62 junction 35a to 36 – Rawcliffe Bridge, M18 Interchange to junction 36 Goole

M62 junction 36 to 37 – River Ouse/Ouse Bridge

A1(M) junction 47 to 49 – between A59 Knaresborough and A168 Dishforth

A1(M) junction 58 to 65 – between A1 and Washington at junction 65

A66 – between M6 junction 40 to A1 (Scotch Corner)

A19 – Hylton Bridge over River Wear

A19 Tees Viaduct

A19 Leven Viaduct

A69 – all of it

Humber Bridge