Devon warned of icy conditions overnight

Devon County Council has issued a warning to residents and road users as the county braces for icy conditions overnight and into tomorrow morning.

Gritting teams are working to keep the roads clear, but officials are urging caution due to challenging conditions expected across the region.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for ice and snow starting this afternoon and continuing until 10am tomorrow. A further Yellow Weather Warning for snow has been issued for Wednesday.

The cold spell follows a weekend of heavy rain, which, combined with tonight's freezing temperatures, could make many roads hazardous.

Devon’s gritting teams are already treating higher routes this afternoon and will be carrying out multiple treatments on around 1,700 miles of the county's main salting routes overnight.

However, the combination of freezing temperatures and ongoing sleet and snow showers could wash away the salt, making some roads prone to ice.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “After so much rain, this week’s forecast is the worst possible combination of weather conditions for anyone travelling around the county. Ground is already saturated and there is still run-off on many roads which could potentially become icy by tomorrow morning, particularly off the salting network.

“The ongoing risk of wintry showers overnight and also on Wednesday will undoubtedly make conditions challenging throughout this week. Our teams will be trying to get as much salt onto the roads as possible but there’s a concern that despite their best efforts, wintry showers could wash that salt away, so please don’t assume a road has been treated. As always, our advice is to drive according to conditions. Please leave plenty of time for your journey, reduce your speed and take extra care.”

Residents are advised to follow these precautions:

• Don’t assume a road has been salted—salt can wash away in rain and extreme cold will still cause ice to form.
• Allow extra time for journeys.
• Reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Drive cautiously according to current weather conditions.
• Check on vulnerable or elderly neighbours and ensure they have support through the cold spell.
• Keep indoor temperatures at least 18°C, particularly if you have limited mobility or are over 65. The NHS website offers further guidance on staying healthy in cold weather.
• Tune in to local radio for the latest weather updates.

For more information, visit the Devon County Council's winter travel webpages or follow @DevonAlert on X (Twitter) and Facebook for updates.