Gritters out across Devon

Wintry conditions make driving hazardous

Devon County Council is expecting challenging conditions for its gritting teams overnight on Tuesday. Following light snowfall on higher ground and wintry showers across parts of the county earlier in the day, some areas can expect road surface temperatures to drop below -2C, which could create icy conditions.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highway management, said: “We’ve seen a sprinkling of snow on Dartmoor today and while conditions may vary across the county over the next 24 hours there is the possibility of more wintry showers overnight and freezing road surface temperatures. Our gritting teams will be carrying out multiple treatments on all of our main routes, but untreated roads could be icy, and remember that ice can still form on treated surfaces. We would urge motorists to take extra care.”
 
So far this winter, less than half the average amount of salting treatments have been needed on the county’s roads. However, colder than average temperatures are expected over the coming weeks.
 
The county council is reminding people to:
 
• 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, think about how they could 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;
• ensure you are stocked with food and medications.
 
For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit: www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert

Radio Exe has regular travel bulletins throughout the day too.