EXTRA Worcestershire Highways staff will be on standby tomorrow and Friday after the MET Office issued a warning for heavy thundery rain with potential for torrential downpours, lightning and hail.

Motorists are being reminded to take care and temper their driving according to the road conditions as the predicted downpours on Thursday and Friday (August 13 and 14) could make conditions difficult at times with localised surface water flooding a possibility. 

In response to these warnings, additional measures are being put in place to keep the roads safe, including four extra gangs and two gully emptiers on standby to help minimise any potential disruption.

Drivers are once again being advised that when driving through larger puddles or smaller areas of standing water, drive slowly and steadily, allow oncoming traffic to pass and always test your brakes after leaving the water.

If water has flooded across a section of road it may be difficult to tell exactly how deep it is. If drivers come across a road that is flooded they should not attempt to drive through the flood water. This not only has the potential to put themselves and other people in serious danger, it could also damage their vehicle and wreck engines. Visibility can be seriously reduced in heavy rain so headlights must be used, together with allowing a bigger gap between vehicles to allow for increased stopping distance.

Councillor John Smith OBE, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, said: "The forecast from the MET office for this evening is warning of heavy thundery rain with the potential for torrential downpour in places. 

"This gives potential for surface water flooding and together with lightning and hail could increase risks and cause some hazards. 

"In response we are putting measures in place to keep help keep people safe on the roads but we ask people to take care and not take unnecessary risks.

"Temper driving according to the conditions and, most importantly, keep safe."