ROAD users are being reminded to take extra care this winter, with an increased chance of rural roads icing over during the cold weather.

With the Met Office confirming that this summer has been the wettest in 100 years, the saturated ground means that water run-off from fields could increase the likelihood that roads will become hazardous due to ice.

The Environment Agency has warned that, following further wet weather in September and October, rivers are full and the ground is saturated, with the result that current groundwater levels in some areas are extremely high and water is seeping on to Hampshire’s roads.

Roads that would normally dry quickly after precipitation are more likely to remain wet and ice over when the road surface temperature drops below zero.