MOTORISTS have been warned to be prepared for strong winds tomorrow (Wednesday, January 30) while driving on the regions motorways and A-roads.

The Highways Agency has issued an amber alert for gusts up to 65mph across the North East and Yorkshire between 11am and 6pm.

People driving high-sided vehicles and motorcycles or towing caravans have been warned to watch out for cross winds from the west while driving on exposed routes.

The Highways Agency has asked at-risk vehicles to particularly avoid: the A1(M) between junctions 47 and 49, and junctions 58 and 65; the A66 between M6 junction 40 and A1(M) junction 60 and the A19 at the Hylton Bridge, the Tees viaduct and the Leven viaduct.

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre said: “We advise road users to plan their journeys, check road conditions and weather forecasts before travelling and to allow extra time to complete their journeys.

“We are advising motorcyclists, drivers of high sided vehicles and people towing caravans to avoid certain routes if possible, as there is a strong risk of being blown over in these locations.

“Our traffic officers are constantly monitoring the network and are ready to respond to any incidents.”

Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads is available at website highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300-123-5000.