Hampshire’s Highways teams are on full alert this weekend, with weather conditions forecast to bring more heavy rain and strong winds.

Cllr Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “Our highways teams are gearing up for a busy weekend. We’ll have emergency crews, specialist tree crews and extra gully equipment ready to clear fallen trees and water off the roads, to keep routes clear.

“We would ask anyone setting out on a journey to please be prepared, and check the weather forecast before they head off. With excess water on roads, drivers are advised to be extra cautious in such conditions and are politely reminded to regulate their speeds accordingly, allowing extra time for their journeys.”

With the ground already wet from recent rainfall, some trees may become more susceptible to high winds.This may impact on power lines, communications and transport, as well as roads and footways.

Throughout the year, Hampshire Highways completes ditch clearing and maintenance work on Hampshire’s 60,000 gullies and 4,600 catchpits, as well as carrying out a continued programme of structural improvements to the highways drainage system to make Hampshire more resilient to extreme weather.