Icy Roads Alert After Snow Storms

We are being warned to brace ourselves for fresh disruption today as snow freezes over, bringing potentially perilous road conditions.

Storms battered large parts of northern Britain yesterday, with up to 9in (23cm) of snow falling in some parts.

Helen Roberts, a forecaster at the Met Office, said: "Ice is going to be the main hazard tonight and we could see more snow.

"We could see some more sleet and snow coming in from the north west - the remnants of it could clip the south east and as far south as London.

"The chances are that by the time it reaches the south it will be less intense, but there could be a light dusting of snow over those areas.

"I will imagine there will be more transport problems with the ice potentially being more of a hazard than snow.

"The strength of the wind is making things feel extremely raw.''

Northern parts of the UK were worst hit by the snow storms yesterday. Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire had 9in (23cm) of snow, while there was 8in (21cm) at Glenanne in Armagh and Spadeadam in Cumbria had 5in (13cm).

A fierce Arctic blast will sweep the country on Saturday and Sunday, bringing snow across the north, and down the south west and east coasts of England and East Anglia.

Roads maintenance company BEAR Scotland said it is monitoring the situation.

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland's North West Operating Company Representative, said: ''The North West and North East Trunk Roads have experienced intermittent snow showers throughout the night on most routes.

"Our winter teams have worked throughout the night and the Trunk Roads in North West and North East are clear and currently have no issues.

''We will continue to monitor weather conditions and patrol and treat routes as necessary throughout this period of winter weather.

"We encourage motorists to check travel updates before setting out, prepare for their journeys and drive with care as these wintry conditions are set to continue into next week.''