UK heatwave: National Highways advises motorists to be 'well-prepared' ahead of extreme heat weather

The Met Office has issued a warning for ‘extreme heat’ for most of England from Sunday to Tuesday. National Highways is keen for everyone travelling on its roads during the heatwave to take extra precautions to keep safe and well.

National Highways has advice pages on its website around travelling in the summer, and will continue to provide social media and traffic updates during the coming days.

Drivers considering travelling over the coming days should:

- Take a bottle of water before setting out to ensure you stay hydrated

- Plan and leave plenty of time for journeys

- Check the weather forecast for your destination

- Check your vehicle before you leave

- Check travel conditions before setting out and, where it is safe to do so, during journeys.

Among its tips for driving in the summer, National Highways says during particularly hot weather, make sure your engine stays within the normal operating temperature range. However, if it begins to overheat, find somewhere safe to stop and allow it to cool down.

Our motorways and major A roads are highly resilient to extremes of weather, including hot weather. The design and build standards we apply to our roads are considered best practice and are adopted by other countries around the world.

Mel Clarke, customer service director for operations at National Highways, said: “It is crucial for everyone to plan their journey in advance, so they are better prepared for the hot weather.

“Simple steps such as taking bottles of drinking water with you are really important to help keep you and your passengers hydrated, as well as checking your vehicle before you travel, including tyres, oil and coolant levels.”

The Met Office warning for extreme heat includes some information on what to expect, which could be relevant for people travelling on our roads over the weekend and early next week. The Met Office guidance says:

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- Delays on roads and road closures are possible with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays