'Drive with care': more cold weather expected from Tuesday evening

Drivers are being urged to drive with care as an expected cold front from Tuesday evening combined with recent wet weather could lead to ice on the roads.

Drivers are being urged to drive with care as an expected cold front from Tuesday evening combined with recent wet weather could lead to ice on the roads.

It follows another busy weekend for highways teams who were responding to issues caused by severe weather.

The Network Operations Control Centre received 351 calls between Friday midnight and Monday morning, with 95 per cent of these related to either highways flooding or fallen trees and branches on the network.

Over the course of the weekend 14 response teams and19 tree surgeon gangs were on standby to deal with issues across the county.

Many roads across Devon were flooded at various points as river levels rose and drainage systems were overwhelmed.

Six teams in gully wagons cleared gully and drainage blockages across the network.

High winds damaged trees, road signs and utility infrastructure and, as of first thing Monday, several hundred Devon homes were without power.

However, the majority of the main road network is now open and moving freely - but on Monday morning the B3193 Chudleigh Knighton was flooded and impassable and there was a landslip on the A381 Littlehempston.

Gritters will be out but drivers should never assume a road is treated.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “I’m pleased to say that most of the main road network is moving as normal and I want to thank our dedicated teams and contractors who have had another busy weekend.

“However a wind warning is still in place and temperatures are predicted to drop from Tuesday evening.

“With a lot of water on the roads from the weekend this could affect the road surface and lead to icy conditions, so I urge motorists to drive with care and according to the conditions.”

“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.”

Please remember the following advice:

- 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;

- Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front;

- Drive with care and according to the conditions;

- 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. The NHS website has more information on staying healthy during cold weather;

- Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions.