Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09

Subject: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:18 AM

If you're coming down to the South West today, please take great care.

We had rain early this morning, around 6am, which fell straight on to black ice...and the whole area has turned to a skating rink.

There've been dozens of crashes on the A38, which has been closed for hours after a 38 car pile up. A coach crash has killed two in Cornwall, after it skidded on ice...and people are trapped in their cars, have been for hours now, as the region has ground to a halt.

There's more rain forecast, although the day is starting to warm a little...However, if it freezes again tonight...........

Even the gritting lorries have crashed...and the police are worried that more rain will wash away what grit there is on the roads.

In short, do NOT come down here today unless you absolutely have to.

You can keep updated with the Travel News on BBC Radio Devon, on the link below...

BBC Radio Devon

Subject: RE: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:42 AM

Thanks for the heads-up Lizzie. Not travelling myself but maybe other Catters are.

Subject: RE: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:45 AM

Rain forecast for your area, Lizzie, according to the BBC website weather page - with temperatures of -1 on Thursday. So - as you say - a little dicey down in Devon.

In my part of mid-Sussex, most of the main roads and minor roads are OK, but the side roads and small lanes are absolutely treacherous with recent rain on ice. Temperatures look set to be a few degrees above freezing so, with a bit of luck, some of the hardened ice slicks might start to thaw today and tomorrow.

I don't mind the snow - it's the aftermath that's always a pain!

Subject: RE: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: Hamish
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:51 AM

On Monday evening I was stuck for three hours on the main dual carriageway from the M1 down to the "Magic Roundabout" in Hemel Hempstead. There were two miles of black ice. It was so slippery that even when stationary with the hand brake on my car started to slide down the not very steep slope. Luckily braking all four wheels with the footbrake was okay. I'm glad to say there didn't seem to have been any collisions.

Subject: RE: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 06:44 AM

Bus just drove into 12 cars in Plymouth...and more multiple pile ups on the A38. Lord knows why they opened it again!

Just had the most terrible hail storm.....which has settled..

Subject: RE: Devon Travel Chaos 23/12/09
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 06:46 AM

Someone send for Bruce....

My goodness, but our rescuers are going to be working overtime down here the next few days..let alone all our wonderful doctors and nurses....

And suddenly, Christmas is going to be very different for so many people..

:0(

Huge thanks to all those who work so hard to keep us safe and sound, because we so often don't think about them until situations like this occur..