Rail passengers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been warned to check journeys before travelling due to expected heavy snowfall from Storm Goretti.

Amber warnings for heavy snow have been issued starting Thursday evening for the two counties, with such weather likely to lead to challenging travel conditions into Friday.

West Midlands Railway said it anticipated some routes would be disrupted.

On the roads, Worcestershire’s highways operations manager Chris Riley said: “We’re making all the necessary preparations that we can to minimise the disruption to Worcestershire’s road network.”

It came after Redditch MP Christopher Bloore raised concerns about some roads and pavements being left untreated following reports, he said, of skidding vehicles and hazardous junctions.

Snow ploughs were ready and salt stocks were good to go, Riley told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

He said the anticipated storm may present some challenging conditions, and the county was preparing for “reasonably significant impacts”.

Ed Bradford, head of highways at Herefordshire Council, said gritters were ready to respond, and had already done 18 runs since Christmas Eve.

“It’s basically being ready and waiting to see what does come through… Herefordshire is a big old rural county,” he said.

With more than 2,000 miles of network to look after, Bradford said the authority did not treat everywhere, but tried to make sure the key routes stayed open.

The authority said partner agencies, including the county’s 4×4 service, were also on standby to help where needed.