DRIVERS and travellers in south Devon are being advised to take precautions during the hot weather.

National Highways has issued advice to motorists and passengers as temperatures continue to rise.

With many people planning holiday getaways and others opting to drive on Saturday when nine train companies are set to strike, National Highways has outlined some tips to help people keep traffic moving and make journeys easier, including ensuring they carry out basic vehicle checks and have plenty of drinking water on board.

Although not expected to reach the record-breaking temperatures of last month, the Met Office has said the mercury could reach 36 degrees C in some places.

The Met Office has issued a warning of extreme heat for later this week and the weekend in many parts of England, saying people could experience adverse health effects including sunburn, heat exhaustion and other heat related illnesses.

It also warns travel delays are possible and says more people will visit coastal areas, lakes, rivers and beauty spots.

Drivers travelling this week and coming weekend are being advised to:

Paul Beecher, National Network Manager at National Highways, said: ‘It is always important to plan ahead for your journey.

‘This advice is no different during periods of hot weather and during the summer holiday season.

‘We urge everyone travelling to be well prepared and check their vehicles before setting out.

‘These safety checks include checking your tyres, oil and coolant levels and importantly, ensuring you are carrying plenty of drinking water, fluids and provisions.

‘We want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely, so please plan ahead and check travel conditions before starting your journey.’

During particularly hot weather, make sure engines stay within the normal operating temperature range.

However, if it begins to overheat, find somewhere safe to stop and allow it to cool down.

England’s motorways and major A roads are highly resilient to extremes of weather, including hot weather.

The design standards applied to National Highways’ roads are considered best practice and are adopted by other countries around the world.

Simon Brown, Met Office services director, said: ‘We are seeing our second significant period of extreme heat in 2022.

‘Whilst we will not see temperatures as high as in the extreme heat warning during mid-July, we are expecting to see the low to mid 30s in many parts of Southern England and into the North Midlands, up towards South Yorkshire and Manchester.

‘The difference is the time of the week which coincides with UK holiday turnaround and the duration is longer.’

National Highways is advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance and carry out basic checks to make sure vehicles are roadworthy.

Things to consider are: