The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow and ice for the region today which is in effect throughout (Saturday 5th January) until midnight tonight.

Whilst there are no road closures in effect in the Bedlington area (as of 0800hrs), road conditions in localised areas (such as roads with a steep gradient) could be difficult to pass. We would advise people travel only when necessary. Given the conditions, if you are still planning to travel please take extra care, plan ahead and leave extra time for your journeys.

Keep updated with the conditions of the roads and weather conditions in your area by visiting the social media pages for Northumberland County Council and the Highways Agency.

If you're planning on driving, here are some tips to follow:

- Wear appropriate footwear

- Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible

- Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and even gear changing should be operated smoothly and slowly

- Keep your speed down and allow more time to stop and steer

- Move off in second gear as this will help reduce wheel slip (some cars have a winter mode, which does the same job so check whether your car has this function in the vehicle’s handbook)

- Get your speed right and maintain safe stopping distances between you and the car in front, leaving as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap 

- Prepare for an uphill by leaving plenty of room in front so you can maintain a constant speed without the need for changing gear

- Use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless necessary, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front

- When approaching a bend, brake before you actually start to turn the steering wheel. If your car does lose grip try not to panic; the key thing is to take your foot off the accelerator and make sure that your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go in

- If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it. For example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel or stamp your foot on the brakes

- If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheeltracks or other vehicles as compressed snow is likely to be more icy than fresh snow

- Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and even gear changing should be operated smoothly and slowly

- Finally, it’s important to think about the environment that you’re driving in, especially microclimates that might appear on the road. These are areas that perhaps the sun hasn’t got to, which could stay icy when the rest of the road has thawed. Bridges are a good example. They’re normally the first to freeze and the last to thaw. So be aware of that when you’re driving in open spaces.