Feeling the Cold? Worrying About Driving in Melksham? Follow our Advice

Winter is upon Melksham this week, with frost, freezing fog and ice on the roads. So if you need to get out and about, what to do to make sure your car is prepared for the sub-zero temperatures?

* Keep your car filled up with fuel. There are petrol stations all over Melksham, from The Bear Garage in Atworth to Turnpike Garage on Devizes Road, which is one of the few garages in the area that are not self-service, meaning you can stay warm and toasty in your car. They'll also give your car a winter check-over for a small fee.

In town, there are filling stations at Sainsbury's, Total on Semington Road, and Auto Line in Spa Road, which has a great selection of driving accessories.

* Put anti-freeze in the radiator and keep screenwash filled up. Check that the oil is full.

* Make sure the car's tyre pressures are correct.

* Make sure your lights are working.

* Use WD40 to defrost locks.

* Plan your journey in advance having taken notice of the weather forecast and road conditions, and allow extra time if conditions are poor.

* Don't drive at all if the weather is looking really bad.

* If you really have to go on a long journey, take warm clothing, heavy boots in case of snow, emergency rations of chocolate and water or a thermos of tea or coffee.

* Have a de-icer, a torch, and a shovel in the car in case of snow. Take your rmobile with you and make sure it is fully charged.

* If you start to skid on ice or ungritted snow, DON'T slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and steer into the skid until you regain control.

* If the worst comes to the worst and you do have a shunt on the roads, go to Neil Townsend of Townsend Motors in Broughton Gifford for bodywork repairs.

See the Motoring and garage sections of the Melkshampeople Directory for other garages and motoring businesses. Please feel free to add your business to the directory for free – it takes two minutes and is absolutely free!

The AA has a useful page on their website. The Highways Agency provides real-time road conditions.

For the latest Melksham forecast, visit our weather page.