Devon County Council Highways are urging people not to use the roads this morning, Friday, 1st March.
With the continued snow and freezing rain overnight, driving conditions are potentially very dangerous.
Parts of the county had been on a red weather warning from the met office and remain on an amber warning.
“People may be tempted, waking up on Friday morning morning, to think it’s business as usual and try to go about driving to work as normal. But they shouldn’t.
“The roads are snowy and icy, and until we’re out of this immediate cold snap, and until gritters and snow ploughs have had full chance to make the network safer to use, we’re advising to stay off the road,” said Cllr Stuart Hughes, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highway management.
Many vehicles had to be abandoned yesterday after roads became impassable.
The Council, the Police and other partners, have been working through the night to attend to the road network.
Vehicles left stranded on Haldon Hill prompted Chudleigh Town Council and Kenn Parish Council to open emergency respite shelters for drivers and passengers on Thursday evening. Okehampton Community College opened its doors with refreshments and blankets, staffed by volunteers for Devon County Council, to people stuck on the nearby A30.
“Although the immediacy of the situation was on Thursday, prolonged cold weather over night means that it’s still not safe to use the roads on Friday morning,” says Cllr Hughes. “We ask people to heed the warnings, use their common sense, and make other arrangements in the morning.”>
Devon County Council is reminding people of the following advice:
• If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, think about how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell;
• Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over. NHS Choices has more information on staying healthy during cold weather;
• Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions and ensure you are stocked with food and medications
• Check out any school closures and sign up for alerts for any school by clicking on ‘Alert Me’.
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