Ice warning across England and Wales as cold snap closes hundreds of schools
The Met Office warns of the risk of accidents across England and Wales, with ice likely on roads, pavements and cycle paths.
Monday 19 March 2018 14:53, UK
A seaside resort in Devon was cut off after heavy snowfall and hundreds of schools have been shut after a mini "Beast from the East" hit Britain.
Ilfracome was one of several towns in North Devon to get cut off, despite the best efforts of gritters over the weekend.
The county council tweeted: "Ilfracombe, Lynton, Lynmouth, Combe Martin and other north coast communities remain cut off, with all efforts being made to get through by the crews. Drifting snow, temperatures remain low, all causing problems."
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Roads into the coastal town began to reopen shortly after lunchtime, though some were only "passable with care".
The Met Office has issued new yellow "be aware" warnings for ice, covering 7pm on Monday until 9am on Tuesday, after a similar alert expired at 10am.
The warnings cover England and Wales, where temperatures could drop below freezing, affecting the thaw of the remaining snow overnight.
"Ice is likely to form on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. This increases the risk of accidents, as well as injuries from slips and falls," said the Met Office.
Forecasters say further snow is likely across parts of southwest England, with a few light snow showers for other southern counties for a while.
Devon County Council said more than 300 schools were closed on Monday, while dozens of closures were also reported in Somerset, Gloucestershire and parts of Wales.
More than 80 people were forced to spend the night at a school after the A30 was hit by "significant snow", Devon and Cornwall Police said, with conditions "changing rapidly from passable to impossible".
Richard White, volunteer rest centre manager, said spirits were high among despite their difficult evening.
He said on Sunday night: "We first of all provide them with something hot to drink and we've got blankets, duvets.
"We make sure people get a good night's sleep, we feed them in the morning and weather-permitting, we prepare them to get back in their cars and on their way.
"Police want everybody off the roads to give them the opportunity to clear the roads with the snow ploughs and the gritters in time for the morning."
Two of those stranded were newlyweds Sara and John Lund, who had been driving to Watergate Bay in Newquay after their wedding in Bristol on Sunday.
They told Sky News: "We set off from Bristol and the weather was alright, but it got treacherous and you could see cars getting into trouble.
"It was getting dark and we got worried.
"The good people running this rest centre found us and gave us somewhere - not the bridal suite - but somewhere warm.
"There were about 20 other people in our room, it wasn't what I had in mind."
Homes in Hemsby, Norfolk, were evacuated amid fears they could be washed into the sea after warnings of snow and ice.
And a burst water pipe in Sheffield city centre caused travel disruption and left hundreds of properties without water.
A snowy car crash in Croydon also caused a gas leak, forcing a 250m-radius evacuation.
Temperatures are expected to rise again from Tuesday after the latest cold blast - which followed the freezing spell earlier this month dubbed the "Beast from the East".
Met Office meteorologist John West said: "Through the course of the day today, much of the country will experience a fine and dry day. We're sort of closing the door to the the cold easterly flow and temperatures will be less cold than we've seen over the weekend.
"We could see highs of 5C (41F) or 6C (43F), but add some wind chill on there and it won't feel very pleasant at all.
"However there will be some decent, fine weather, plenty of sunshine around today, particularly in northern parts, and a bit of an improvement from what we've seen over the weekend."