MOTORISTS are being urged to take more care on the county’s roads as winter draws in.

Groundwater levels are high across the county and fears are being raised that ice will form quickly over wet roads when the temperature drops.

Deputy leader of Hampshire County Council Mel Kendall said: “Road users need to take extra care this winter because, due to the saturated ground, even a small amount of rain or snow means that roads are more likely to experience water running on to them, which can easily ice over when the temperature freezes.

“We have recently experienced our first frosts of the winter and our salting teams have been out treating Hampshire’s main routes but, although temperatures may rise slightly in the days to come, drivers still need to take care as some roads may be covered with deep puddles.”