Cheshire motorists urged to make safety checks to keep region’s roads moving this winter

Dec 10 2009 Chester Chronicle

A NEW campaign has been launched in the North West asking road users to play their part in keeping the region moving during the winter.

The Highways Agency, which looks after England’s motorways and major A roads, is ready to face severe weather over the next few months.

It has carried out a survey of road users, which found that more than half had encountered one or more types of severe weather in the previous year.

However almost half (48%) admitted that they would not carry out any vehicle checks, even after hearing a severe weather warning, and just under a quarter (24%) would not change their journey plans.

Samantha Senior, winter service manager for the Highways Agency’s Area 10, which covers Cheshire, said: “We are asking drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before they set out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles, and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions.

“They should also plan their journeys by listening to radio reports or calling our information line on 08457 50 40 30.”