Sponsored by
Hazardous driving conditions forecast for Derbyshire
breaking news
FREEZING rain could lead to hazardous driving conditions in Derbyshire, the county council is warning.
A spokesman said: “Derbyshire’s gritters started treating the secondary routes at 8am this morning and when these are finished will grit the primary routes. They will work round the clock while the adverse weather conditions continue. The amount of grit put down has been increased.
“Freezing rain is difficult to combat as it settles as ice over the top of grit, making the grit less effective. Drivers and pedestrians are warned to take extra care.”
The forecast is that the freezing rain will turn to snow with two to five centimetres forecast for lower ground and five to ten centimetres for higher ground.
Meanwhile, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling today and into Friday after the Met Office issued a weather warning for snow and icy conditions across many parts of England.
Snow is forecast for east and northeast England this afternoon, spreading south to central and some western parts of England on Friday. There are also likely to be severe overnight frosts in south east England.
The Highways Agency is working closely with Met Office forecasters based at the National Traffic Operations Centre to monitor conditions and our winter fleet will be treating motorways and other strategic roads around the clock while the cold weather continues.
Jason Glasson, of the Highways Agency’s severe weather team, said: “We are expecting a range of severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours, including the risk of freezing rain, snowfall and ice. Not every journey is essential in severe weather, but if you really must travel in the worst conditions, check your vehicle before you set out; take a severe weather emergency kit; check traffic and weather conditions and always plan your journey.
“Even when roads have been treated, pay particular care where conditions such as gradients, bends or overhanging trees might increase the risk of difficult driving conditions. Always drive with care in winter conditions, even after road surfaces have been treated with salt and are clear of snow.
“For more information and advice I’d urge drivers to make time for winter and visit our website, where there are lots of tips to help keep winter journeys safe and trouble free or follow us on Twitter @winterhighways.”
Martin Young, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office said: “We are expecting some snow across parts of the country through this evening and into Friday. There is a risk of up to 10cm of snow in the worst affected regions. As a result there could be some disruption to travel. We advise people to keep up to date with our forecasts and information from the Highways Agency”.
Drivers are advised to take care around spreading vehicles and vehicles clearing snow and only overtake if they can do so safely, without driving on un-cleared snow. Winter service vehicles are performing essential work to help keep roads open and may be travelling at low speed.
Up-to-date information on road conditions on England’s motorways and trunk roads is available on the Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or by calling 0300 123 5000. For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Chesterfield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.