Police are advising folks to solely journey if “completely important” after freezing climate situations 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 mentioned early on Tuesday morning that they’re advising the general public to solely journey if important after the drive obtained greater than 100 studies of road-related incidents in 5 hours.
A complete of 53 highway 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 situations.
The drive mentioned seven of the incidents had been reported to have resulted in accidents however they aren’t regarded as critical.
An extra 67 calls had been obtained for different road-related incidents.
Superintendent Mark Runacres mentioned: “We’re advising the general public to solely journey the place completely important as a result of treacherous driving situations.
“If journey is important, we ask the general public to take excessive warning and permit further 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 assets.
“We’re working with native authorities and Nationwide Highways to make sure roads are correctly gritted forward of the push hour visitors to enhance driving situations.”
The Met Workplace has mentioned 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 more likely to trigger troublesome driving situations.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice can also 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 on account of snow, Highways are conscious. Please permit further time for any journey and drive with care.”
Simply earlier than 4.30am, Cornwall Fireplace and Rescue Service tweeted: “We’ve had studies 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 situations are hazardous. If obligatory, 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 could carry some disruption” and will result in longer journeys for drivers and prepare passengers.
It mentioned treacherous situations may additionally result in slips and falls on icy surfaces, and urged drivers and cyclists to watch out for icy patches on untreated roads.
