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A66 in Cumbria closed after lorries jackknife on ice | |
(40 minutes later) | |
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The A66 in Cumbria has been closed after a number of lorries jackknifed in icy conditions. | |
Snow gates on the trans-Pennine route were shut after the accidents near Stainmore as the Met Office issued an amber warning for ice for the area. | Snow gates on the trans-Pennine route were shut after the accidents near Stainmore as the Met Office issued an amber warning for ice for the area. |
BBC weatherman Paul Mooney said the problem was being caused by rain falling on to frozen roads and immediately creating sheet ice. | |
Police said drivers should take things slowly even on gritted roads. | |
Police in Cumbria and Durham have urged motorists to travel only if journeys are absolutely necessary. | |
'Milder air' | |
Mr Mooney said: "We have fairly hazardous morning roads and pavements. | |
"This is all because the temperatures have dropped to sub-zero again overnight and what has happened is that over the last few hours a band of cloud has brought slightly milder air and with it rain. | |
"So when that rain and drizzle hits those freezing roads and pavements it just freezes instantly and creates sheet ice. | |
"It might just look like a damp road or pavement but it's really ice and very, very dangerous." | |
Ch Insp Sarah Pitt, of Northumbria Police's Operations Command, added: "Rain is falling, but freezing as soon as it hits the road surface. | |
"This is leading to very icy conditions and we would advise motorists to drive slowly and be mindful of this, even on roads that have been gritted. | |
"All areas are potentially hazardous in these conditions. Drivers should moderate their speed, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front as stopping distances are longer on wet and icy roads, and they should try not to brake sharply." |