Met Office warns of ‘freezing rain and icy roads’

The Met Office has warned that parts of England and Wales could be affected by icy roads overnight and during the Wednesday morning rush hour.

An early weather warning said that a band of rain – initially starting as snow – was expected to move eastwards across the country during the early hours of Wednesday.

The Met Office said that there was a “moderate to high risk” of the rain freezing as it falls onto sub-zero surfaces, leading to widespread icy conditions for a time, with the peak expected to coincide with the morning rush hours.

Central areas of the UK, including southwest Scotland, north-west England, north-east England, the Midlands, south-west England and central southern England, are expected to be at the highest risk of the freezing conditions.

The Highways Agency urged motorists to take care on the roads, check on their journeys before setting out and to only travel if necessary.

Around 400 cars were abandoned on roads across Gloucestershire after around three inches of snow fell in the area between 5pm and 8pm last night.

Police said that there were accidents reported on many of the main roads in the area and that abandoned vehicles had made it difficult for gritters to reach some rural roads.

Police had to use 4x4 vehicles to reach motorists stranded in their cars by the weather.

The A417 was among the worst affected routes and it remained closed on Tuesday morning, due to abandoned vehicles.

(KMcA/SP)