Police are advising folks to solely journey if “completely important” after freezing climate circumstances resulted in dozens of highway accidents.
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA), a Authorities well being company, issued a degree three chilly alert on Monday in response to “extreme winter climate”.
Avon and Somerset Police stated early on Tuesday morning that they’re advising the general public to solely journey if important after the power obtained greater than 100 stories of road-related incidents in 5 hours.
A complete of 53 highway site visitors collisions had been reported to police between 6pm and 11pm on Monday night, with the bulk being a results of the freezing climate inflicting harmful driving circumstances.
The power stated seven of the incidents had been reported to have resulted in accidents however they don’t seem to be considered severe.
An additional 67 calls had been obtained for different road-related incidents.
Watch: UK climate – warnings of snow, ice and flooding after chilly snap strikes in from Arctic
Superintendent Mark Runacres stated: “We’re advising the general public to solely journey the place completely important as a result of treacherous driving circumstances.
“If journey is critical, we ask the general public to take excessive warning and permit extra time to journey.
“We have now seen a considerably greater variety of road-related collisions and incidents prior to now 12 hours, which has elevated the demand on police sources.
“We’re working with native authorities and Nationwide Highways to make sure roads are correctly gritted forward of the push hour site visitors to enhance driving circumstances.”
The Met Workplace has stated all of England will proceed to expertise chilly climate till 9am on Friday.
Forecasters issued a yellow warning for ice throughout southern England which is in place till 10am on Tuesday morning, with ice prone to trigger troublesome driving circumstances.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice can be in place in Cornwall and Devon till 10am.
At simply after 3am, Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted: “Police are urging drivers to journey with warning as heavy snow showers sweep throughout the area.
“#A30 Carland Cross close to Newquay is at the moment blocked attributable to snow, Highways are conscious. Please enable further time for any journey and drive with care.”
Simply earlier than 4.30am, Cornwall Hearth and Rescue Service tweeted: “We’ve had stories that autos are getting caught in snow on the A39 at Trispen and A391 at Bugle.
“Please take further care on the roads as driving circumstances are hazardous. If needed, pull over whether it is unsafe to proceed.”
The Met Workplace has additionally issued a yellow warning for snow and ice throughout elements of Northern Eire, north-west England and Wales from 12pm on Monday till 12pm on Tuesday.
Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place in Scotland till 9am on Tuesday.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan activated the capital’s Extreme Climate Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to offer emergency lodging for tough sleepers on Monday, as temperatures within the metropolis are anticipated to fall under 0C in a single day.
The Met Workplace has warned that “snow showers and icy stretches might deliver some disruption” and will result in longer journeys for drivers and practice passengers.
It stated treacherous circumstances might additionally result in slips and falls on icy surfaces, and urged drivers and cyclists to watch out for icy patches on untreated roads.
