Road closures
Road closures due to flooding will be listed on our road closures and diversions page.
Please take care around flood water and do not walk or drive through flood water. Just a few inches of water can knock you off your feet, water could be contaminated and you can't see hazards such as lifted manhole covers.
Observing road closed signs
Please respect road closure signs. Even if the flood water has receded, bridges and other structures may need to be inspected to ensure they are safe for use. Not only is removing signs dangerous, it is an offence.
Ice on wet roads
Falling temperatures could result in ice on wet road surfaces. We will operate our gritting service where necessary, however, motorists are warned to take additional care as below-zero road surface temperatures could impact on many routes.
Driving in rain or on wet or flooded roads
Wet road surfaces are a big hazard in wet weather. Please allow extra time for your journey, respect road closure signs and do not drive through flood water.
When driving in heavy rain:
- turn your headlights on
- keep a safe distance behind other cars - stopping distances can be double compared to dry weather
- make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition
Aquaplaning happens when the water on the road forms a cushion in between the road surface and your tyres. This can cause your car to skid or glide and you can lose control. It's a good idea to:
- keep low speeds when there are wet roads
- avoid braking hard
When driving through standing water:
- drive slowly and steadily so you don’t make a bow wave
- test your brakes as soon as you can afterwards
- fast-moving water is very powerful, take care or your car could be swept away.
More tips and advice on driving in the rain can be found at Safe Driving for Life.
Get more advice on driving in wet or winter weather.
Dealing with power cuts
If you suffer a power cut as a result of flooding call Northern Powergrid by dialling 105.
When to contact the police
If there is an emergency and there is a threat to life, call the police on 999.
If it’s not an emergency and you want to contact the police, please dial 101. If waiting times are increasing you can request a call back on 101, just press 1 when prompted.
The police also advise that you consider installing the What3Words app onto your mobile phone, in case you need police assistance.
Please keep up to date with local weather reports and visit the Environment Agency’s website for the latest flood alerts in your area.
Drive according to the road conditions and don’t ignore road closure signs as they are closed for your safety.
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