DRIVERS are being urged to be 'prepared' before setting out on journeys tomorrow, Thursday, after Highways England issued a severe weather alert for the country’s major roads.

An amber alert for gales will be in place across the North, Midlands and East between 6am and 6pm on Thursday in response to the strong winds and heavy rain forecast during Storm Doris.

Gusts of up to 70 miles per hour are expected on some roads, along with heavy rain and surface water.

And there is a particularly high risk to high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes on exposed sections of the network.

Drivers of these vehicles are being strongly advised to avoid travelling on around 40 stretches of motorway and major A road while the alert is in place.

Richard Leonard, Highways England’s head of road safety, said: “We’re expecting Storm Doris to have a significant impact on the roads throughout the day tomorrow so are urging drivers to consider changing their plans if necessary and to slow down in stormy weather.

“Drivers should look out for warnings on the electronic message signs and listen for updates in radio travel bulletins. Our traffic officers will also be ready to respond to any incidents during Storm Doris, and we’re urging drivers to respond to the changing conditions on the road to stay safe.”

Drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes are being advised to avoid the following stretches of road in the north west while the severe weather alert is in place:

M53 J1-J2 Wallasey to Birkenhead

M56 J12 Runcorn and Sutton Weaver

M58 J1 Kirkby

M6 J20-J21 Thelwall Viaduct

M6 J26-J27

M58 to Standish

M6 J36-J45 Through Cumbria

M60 J10-J12 Barton Bridge through to M62

M60 J16-J17 Pendlebury and Kersley to Prestwich and Whitefield

M62 J18-J27 Between Manchester and Leeds

M61 J4-J5 Westhoughton

M61 J9 / M65 J1 Interchange

A56 Between M65 and A680 at Edenfield

M65 J3-J4 Withnell and Blackburn Interchange

A66 Between M6 J40 - A1 (Scotch Corner)

A69 Entire route