Icy roads warning issued amid multiple crashes in Devon

Anita Merritt

1 February 2025 at 7:37 am·2-min read

Gritter lorries will be out in Plymouth this evening (February 26) as the Met Office predicts a plunge in temperatures — -Credit:Derby Telegraph

Icy cold weather conditions across parts of Devon have prompted a warning to be issued to drivers following a spate of incidents across the county's road network. Devon County Council's highways team is urging drivers to be cautious when travelling this weekend and has confirmed its gritters will be out in force again this evening.

Temperatures are expected to drop to around 1°C in areas such as North Devon, but it will be milder in places such as Exeter and Mid Devon. Motorists are being advised to be cautious.

Today, February 1, has seen the closure of the A388 in Holsworthy closed in both directions between Winterland Lane and Holsworthy Wood due to dangerous driving conditions caused by ice.

It followed two serious crashes this morning, one on the A379 near Exeter and another on the A361 at Ilfracombe. Both of those incidents have since been dealt with and the roads have reopened.

In a post on the council's Devon Alert X account this morning, it said: "We have had many reports about icy conditions across the network today. Our gritters will be out treating the network. Drive carefully and remember that ice can still form even on treated roads."

The Met Office forecast for the south west this evening is clear spells for some at first, but generally turning cloudy overnight and becoming rather windy in places, especially in the west.

There will be showery rain in Cornwall later. It is expected to be a much milder night with a minimum temperature of 4°C. Sunday it will be much cloudier with rain at times in Cornwall and Devon and occasional bright spells elsewhere.

It will be breezy in places with a maximum temperature of 9°C. The outlook for Monday to Wednesday is generally cloudy and breezy with a little rain possible, mainly in the west. There will be heavier rain on Tuesday night, clearing to a fine day on Wednesday.

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