National Highways is advising drivers to take extra care on the roads and be prepared as Storm Arwen brings very strong winds across large parts of the South West tonight and into Saturday morning.

Winds are expected to strengthen from the north during tonight, with gusts up to 70mph on higher ground, particularly on the A30 around Bodmin in Cornwall, and other higher-ground areas in Devon, from midnight through to 9am tomorrow.

Following a Met Office Amber alert for strong winds, National Highways advises motorists – particularly those driving high-sided HGVs, motor homes and motorcycles, and those towing caravans and trailers – to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys and pay particular attention to exposed locations such as coastal and high lying areas and bridges which could be affected by the high winds.

National Highways forecasters expect the winds to slowly ease during Saturday morning, although the M48 Severn Bridge is also likely to be affected by the strong winds.

John Ingram, South West Emergency Planning Officer for National Highways, said: "We're encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve. If you do intend to travel, then plan your journey and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.

"In high winds, there's a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we'd advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down and drive to the conditions.

"Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space."

Unladen curtain-sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable to windy conditions on high ground in Devon and Cornwall, such as sections of the A30 in the Redruth area and Bodmin

Mr Ingram added: "Curtains on empty high-sided vehicles can act as sails when closed, and when high winds arise, we advise HGV drivers to open their curtain-sided vehicles if they are empty."

Road users are being advised to follow messages onany overhead signs, listen to radio updates and follow the National Highways' Twitter feed @HighwaysSWEST. Further information can be found at www.trafficengland.com or by calling the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000.