NATIONAL Highways is encouraging motorists to plan ahead for any journeys taking place in the New Year with strike action by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) taking place in January.

The national strike is planned for Tuesday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 4.

National Highways has put resilience plans in place to ensure the 4,500-mile strategic road network remains open and safe throughout.

Executive director of operations at National Highways, Duncan Smith, said: “A small minority of front-line operational staff are involved in the PCS strikes, which has had a minimal overall impact so far.

“We have well-rehearsed resilience plans in place to continue managing and operating our network safely, including when wider action takes place in the New Year.

“Millions of people rely on our roads and there is a possibility that they may be busier than usual on strike days, particularly as they fall on the first working days after the festive break when industrial action is also being staged on other transport modes.

“We’d urge drivers to plan ahead and check their vehicle is in good working condition.”  

With spells of heavy rain forecast, drivers should familiarise themselves with driving in wet weather, including slowing down, using dipped headlights if visibility is reduced and increasing the gap to the vehicle in front.