Motorists warned of challenging conditions
People are being urged to be aware of challenging conditions when travelling this morning as Devon County Council gritters and ploughs work continuously across the county.
Heavy snow has been reported on high ground in the west and north west of the county around Dartmoor.
Some of the heaviest snow is being reported on the A388 Milton Damerel to Frithelstock Stone, as well as the B3357 and B3212 routes up towards Princetown and the A386 Mary Tavy to Sourton Cross, but they are all passable with care. However, the A386 is closed at Sourton Cross due to a collision and a gritter is treating the diversion route.
Devon County Council’s gritters are currently treating its primary and secondary salting network, covering more than 2,000 miles of Devon’s roads. Further treatment will be carried out this afternoon as road surface temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing early this evening, and secondary routes are expected to be treated again over the weekend.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Gritters have been out continuously since returning from a pre-planned treatment in the early hours of this morning, having reloaded and fitted ploughs to deal with any significant snow they may come across.
“Snow is affecting higher ground, particularly on Dartmoor, and we are continuing to respond to that. In other parts of the county, showers throughout the early morning have created difficult conditions on much of the county’s highway network. I would urge everyone to take extra care wherever they are travelling today and remember that ice can form even on treated roads.”
There have been numerous reports of ice, especially off the salting network.
Police have closed the B3121 at Ugborough this morning until conditions improve. The A3124 Winkleigh to North Tawton was closed earlier due to a collision but has now reopened.
Icy conditions have also been reported on the A381 Totnes Cross and the A3072/A3079 around Holsworthy.
