The UK Met Office has secured a contract from Highways England (HE) to provide weather information and expert advice.

The new weather forecasting information services contract, commissioned by Highways England's National Winter and Severe Weather Team, will ensure a safe and free-flowing road network during the winter months.

Highways England weather forecasting services manager Richard Hewitt said: “Highways England is looking forward to working closely with the Met Office over the next few years.

"We face the challenge of growing demand for travel on the strategic road network combined with a mandate to operate a free-flowing, safe and serviceable network."

“We face the challenge of growing demand for travel on the strategic road network combined with a mandate to operate a free-flowing, safe and serviceable network.

“To meet this challenge, it is critical that we continue to effectively manage all areas of winter and severe weather service.

"By working in partnership with the Met Office, we continue to have direct access to high-quality information relating to forecast weather conditions on our road network and world renowned experts in their field, allowing us to better manage our asset during times of adverse weather.”

The Met Office will continue to provide forecast information and advice to HE, and a team of Met Office meteorologists will also be included within Highways England's National Traffic Operations Centre over the winter months.

The Met Office team will provide up-to-minute advice to operational staff to enable them to effectively maintain safety and minimise disruption on road networks.

The contract will run for a minimum of three years and has an expected value of £1m.

Met Office strategic relationship manager Jodie Wild said: “We are excited to have been awarded this contract and look forward to continuing our close working relationship with HE over the next 3 years.

"In choosing the Met Office, HE has recognised not only the excellent support we have delivered to them over the last 10+yrs, but also our ability to lead innovation and development in the future.

“Our world-leading weather and climate science means we are well placed to deliver national and local services, ensuring a targeted operational response in advance of and during severe weather.”