DRIVERS are being urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary in the wake of predicted heavy rain and high winds.

Flood alerts have been issued for the River Windrush from Bourton-on-the-Water to Newbridge, as well as the River Evenlode from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cassington.

Flood warnings have also been issued for Tetbury Avon and Sherston Avon at Malmesbury, while a flood alert has been issued for the Upper River Avon at Malmesbury.

Officers from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service are coordinating the emergency response for seven fire and rescue services in the South West following severe weather warnings across the region.

Strensham Services on the M5 will act as the base for strategic command, involving fire and rescue services from around the country supporting services in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset, Dorset, Avon, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Other services stationed at the base and ready to respond include police, the Severn Area Rescue Association, and other teams of specialists in mountain, cavern and water rescues.

Gloucestershire’s chief fire officer Jon Hall said: “This multi-agency way of working is tried and tested, and it’s working well for Gloucestershire again. We are receiving great support from agencies around the country and the region.”

Gloucestershire County Council leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne said he was grateful for the support being received in the South West from agencies across the country.

“Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service are playing a very important part in co-ordinating it all,” he said.

GCC highways manager Jason Humm said: “Gloucestershire Highways and our colleagues at Fire and Rescue are fully prepared to respond to incidents as they occur, but we would urge drivers particularly to take special care before venturing out, and driving carefully and responsibly.”

Drivers are being given the following advice:

• Listen to local radio bulletins for road closures before setting off.

• Leave extra time for a journey if it is necessary.

• Don’t drive into floodwater – you don’t know how deep it is.

• Be wary of high winds and the extra risks they may bring.

• Make sure you’re prepared if you get caught in a traffic jam – with enough fuel, your mobile phone battery fully charged, and food and drink.

• Take extra care if driving through standing water alongside pedestrians or cyclists.

Gloucestershire police superintendant Neil Mantle urged drivers to take care.

“As we saw yesterday, standing water across the county is causing some roads to be impassable, and whilst the major routes were free flowing again some hours later the anticipated turn in the weather this afternoon could cause similar problems,” he said.

“We’d urge people to follow the advice but also ask that drivers only use the 101 phone number to report incidents and not to ask about their route home.

“Yesterday we had more than 100 calls regarding the weather, some of which were reporting incidents but many were drivers asking whether a particular road was closed and we would like to keep our lines free for those in need of help and assistance.

“We understand it is frustrating when your journey is delayed and so we will be keeping the local media and our Twitter feed up to date with closures to key routes as and when appropriate.”

If you think your home is going to flood call the Environment Agency floodline on 0845 988 11 88 or check their website environment-agency.gov.uk/

Any road problems should be reported to GCC’s highways department on 08000 514 514.

Traffic information can be found on the Highways Agency website at highways.gov.uk/traffic-information/

No school closures are anticipated, but check gloucestershire.gov.uk/closedschools/ for updates.

Follow @GlosFire, @Glos_Police, @GlosHighways and @GlosCC on Twitter for live updates on conditions throughout the county.