Dangerous driving as forecasters issue ice warning

Forecasters have warned of dangerous driving on icy roads as the temperature falls below freezing.

The Met office has issued a Yellow warning for ice for today and Tuesday (14 January) which is expected to cause disruption to travel.

Forecasters have said that a combination of clear spells and wind will allow ice to form on the untreated road surfaces.

The ice is expected to effect the whole country coming in from the North of England.

The Met Office's Chief Forecaster said: "Following rain or showers on Monday, clearing skies will allow road temperatures to fall below freezing quite widely on Monday evening and night, leading to icy stretches on untreated surfaces which will last well into Tuesday morning.

"In addition, further showers may affect parts of Scotland, northern England and North Wales overnight which may lead to wash-off of earlier road treatment, enhancing the risk of ice formation. These showers could also give some accumulations of snow on routes above about 300m.

"There is some uncertainty over the timing of clearance of cloud and rain towards the southeastern boundary of the yellow area, and hence also the risk of ice, so this warning may be adjusted later Monday or overnight."

Gritters from Devon County Council have set out several times in the last weeks to guard against the possibility of icy road conditions.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: “Although it’s forecast to be drier than it has been there will still be the odd shower, which could cause problems with temperatures dropping below freezing.

Of course, the roads are still wet and run-off from fields will add further complications in some areas, so there may well be a risk of ice from around midnight. Conditions could be difficult until it starts to warm up around 8am tomorrow morning, and remember ice can even affect roads which have been salted. I would urge everyone to take extreme care when out and about and avoid overnight travel if possible.”

Gritters will be treating most of Devon’s main salting network overnight, with some routes being treated twice.

With surface water and run-off still affecting the county’s roads, the County Council is warning that conditions may be difficult. Motorists are being urged to travel with care, particularly on minor routes which may be off the salting network.

The Environment Agency has issued 14 flood warnings for the South West and 18 lesser flood alerts which could see some areas receive further flooding and surface water.

Motorists are being reminded of the following advice:

•              Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;
•              Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;
•              Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;
•              Drive with care and according to the conditions;
•              If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, check to see how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell;
•              Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions.