27/10/2008 - Treacherous roads warning

Drivers are being warned to take care over the next 24 hours as freezing temperatures look set to combine with the heavy volume of water to create treacherous conditions on Cumbria’s roads.

On Friday and over the weekend a number of routes across the county were closed due to flooding, but most have now re-opened and are passable with care.

However with temperatures set to plummet below zero tonight, icy conditions and even snow are expected, with untreated routes likely to prove particularly treacherous.

Cumbria Highways gritting fleet will be out treating all 30 of the county’s priority routes this evening, but the amount of rain that has fallen means even on treated roads drivers need to exercise caution as salt may be washed off some areas.

Upwards of two-centimetres of snow is forecast on higher ground, with smaller amounts falling at lower levels. 

John Robinson, Cumbria Highways network manager, said: "Although the rain has eased off and routes are now passable with care, there is a considerable volume of water about, which will find its way onto the roads.

"With dropping temperatures and snow on the way, we are expecting extremely tricky driving conditions across the county, particularly in areas where there has been flooding.

"Drivers should take particular care tomorrow morning, especially on untreated roads where we are expecting icy patches."

For a list of gritted priority roads view the Cumbria Highways guide to winter driving at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/view.asp?ID=21011

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