DRIVERS are being urged to take extra care on the roads as torrential rain and thunderstorms are being forecast following the summers heatwave.

Bosses at Essex Fire Service are warning motorists to take extra care on the roads following forecasted heavy rain in Essex.

Jim Palmer, Assistant Director, Head of Prevention and Protection said: “Driving in wet conditions can be dangerous especially after a spell of hot weather as grime and oil builds up on the roads to make it much more slippery.

“It’s always better to avoid driving in heavy rain, but if you do have to head our on the roads.

“We work in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership and are committed to making the roads of Essex safer to travel so we are urging everyone to take our advice and stay safe on the roads.”

The fire service’s advice includes allowing extra time for journeys as drivers may need to find an alternative route if the roads are flooded or closed, not to use cruise control in wet weather, the chance of losing control increases and also preventing loss of traction the driver may need to lift off the accelerator and reduce speed.

The advice also includes not breaking suddenly and also not entering flooded roads, as it could get drivers into trouble or risk ruining their cars.

It comes as the Met Office has issued a six-day thunderstorm weather warning for whole of the UK. Thunderstorm warnings will continue across much of the UK until Monday, August 17, with a risk of impacts from heavy rain, flash flooding, lightning and hail.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said; “Warnings cover much of England, away from the east coast, Wales and parts of Scotland.

“The storms will be isolated but where they happen there will be frequent lightning, gusty winds and intense, heavy downpours with 30 to 40mm of rain possible in less than an hour and, in isolated spots, a small chance of 60 mm falling.”

Neil Davies, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Isolated thunderstorms could bring sudden surface water and river flooding to parts of England today, which may lead to flooded properties and severe travel disruption in some areas.

Further surface water and river flooding is also a possibility until until Sunday