Be Prepared for Snow in Barnstaple This Weekend

Motorists and residents in Barnstaple and across the South West are being advised to be prepared for snow and ice which are

forecast on Friday and into this weekend.

The Met Office has

issued a warning of wintry showers of rain, sleet and snow across the

south west region overnight and into the weekend. The cold snap has

raised concerns at the risk of icy patches on roads and motorists are

being asked to take extreme care when travelling in the county, as ice

can form even on treated roads.

With freezing temperatures forecast

again tonight, Thursday, local authority and Highways Agency gritters

are already out across force.

Motorists are being reminded of the following advice:

-

Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always

be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures

- 

Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will

wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even

salting will not stop ice from forming

- Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;

Drive with care and according to the conditions

- If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, think about how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell

- Listen to local radio (don't forget the Voice 106!) for updates on current weather conditions.