Motorists issued urgent warning to drive with 'extreme care' and 'stick to main roads' after snow hits Devon

Motorists issued urgent warning to drive with 'extreme care' and 'stick to main roads' after snow hits Devon

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GB NEWS
Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 28/03/2024

- 10:55

Updated: 28/03/2024

- 11:42

'We are experiencing fairly poor travelling conditions caused by falling snow at altitude'

Drivers are being urged to drive with "extreme care" after heavy snowfall across Devon overnight.

Residents of Devon were shocked to find their county covered by a blanket of snow with one expert warning that it was "deeper than expected in some areas".


A Met Office yellow weather warning has been issued for the region, with strong winds affecting all of Devon and much of the South of England.

A number of services were affected by the snowfall, with pictures from the county showing roads covered in snow, as experts told drivers to leave extra time for their journeys.

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Car driving in snowy weather

The conditions across Devon prompted warnings for drivers

PA

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Devon County Council Highways team issued a warning to drivers urging them to keep safe.

It said: "Our gangs have been working all night to keep the roads passable but drive with extreme care, avoid high roads and stick to main roads where possible."

Similarly, Insp. Dave Thubron from Devon and Cornwall Police, told drivers to prepare for the heavy snowfall last night, adding that it could cause havoc in the morning.

He added: "Please use caution around Devon and Cornwall tonight as we are experiencing fairly poor travelling conditions caused by falling snow at altitude especially the A30 around Okehampton. Likely to affect roads around our Moors."

Jen Murphy, from Devon County Council's highways team, urged drivers to be cautious when on the roads given the difficult conditions.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, she said: "Mostly our advice is for drivers that are out and about on the road that need to watch out for trees and other debris that may be there as a result of the wind.

"Especially with it being the start of the Easter holiday, meaning that we're expecting a lot of people out there towing trailers and caravans on our roads from today onwards."

A post from Chagford Fire Station said it had seen a massive difference in the weather conditions across the county in a short period of time.

The service had been dealing with rain and "pumping from open water" at 8pm and supporting Dartmoor Rescue with the effects of the snowfall at 11.30pm.

Storm Nelson has hit the UK with the Met Office warning that the South of England will be hit with wind and parts of Northern Ireland dealing with heavy rain on Thursday.

A further yellow weather warning has been issued for Northern Ireland to prepare them for heavy rain on Friday, with the service urging people to prepare for longer journey times and more hazardous conditions.

Other parts of the South West of England and Southern Wales have also been hit with snowfall, although it is expected that further snowfall will not occur.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Met Office yellow weather warning

Yellow weather warnings remain in place across the UK until Friday

MET OFFICE

Speaking this morning, BBC Breakfast forecaster Carol Kirkwood, said: "Some of us are waking up to some snow this morning.

"We have seen snow in Devon, and there were reports earlier that the A30 (in Devon) was partially blocked to the east of Exeter by snow."

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