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Cumbria drivers warned in freezing rain Cumbria drivers warned in freezing rain
(40 minutes later)
Drivers have been urged not to venture on to roads in Cumbria after police were called to more than 60 accidents caused by freezing rain.Drivers have been urged not to venture on to roads in Cumbria after police were called to more than 60 accidents caused by freezing rain.
The A66 trans-Pennine route was closed after a number of lorries jackknifed near Stainmore and there has been a large number of crashes on the M6.The A66 trans-Pennine route was closed after a number of lorries jackknifed near Stainmore and there has been a large number of crashes on the M6.
Some schools have also been closed as a precaution.Some schools have also been closed as a precaution.
BBC weatherman Paul Mooney said rain was falling on to frozen roads and immediately creating sheet ice.BBC weatherman Paul Mooney said rain was falling on to frozen roads and immediately creating sheet ice.
'Perfect storm''Perfect storm'
Mr Mooney said: "We have fairly hazardous morning roads and pavements.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."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."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.""It might just look like a damp road or pavement but it's really ice and very, very dangerous."
The Met Office had earlier issued a severe weather warning of ice for the region.The Met Office had earlier issued a severe weather warning of ice for the region.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "So far this morning we have had more than 60 road traffic collision reported to us, which is vastly higher than we would expect for an average winter morning.A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "So far this morning we have had more than 60 road traffic collision reported to us, which is vastly higher than we would expect for an average winter morning.
"This is down to the terrible road conditions out there on the main roads."This is down to the terrible road conditions out there on the main roads.
"The south and east of the county appears to be worst affected with the A66 at Stainmore and the A684 Kendal to Sedburgh route. The A595 is only passable with care."The south and east of the county appears to be worst affected with the A66 at Stainmore and the A684 Kendal to Sedburgh route. The A595 is only passable with care.
"We have also seen a large number of collisions on the M6 and extra heavy gritting has been requested from the Highways Agency."We have also seen a large number of collisions on the M6 and extra heavy gritting has been requested from the Highways Agency.
"Our advice to motorists is only to travel if journeys are absolutely essential.""Our advice to motorists is only to travel if journeys are absolutely essential."
Warm airWarm air
A spokesman for Cumbria County Council described road conditions as "challenging" and said extra gritting shifts had been ordered.A spokesman for Cumbria County Council described road conditions as "challenging" and said extra gritting shifts had been ordered.
He said: "This has turned into a sort of perfect storm of bad weather.He said: "This has turned into a sort of perfect storm of bad weather.
"We have got very low ground temperatures with rain falling on top of that as a band of warm air has come in."We have got very low ground temperatures with rain falling on top of that as a band of warm air has come in.
"This has lulled people into a false sense of security because the ground looks wet when in fact it is frozen."This has lulled people into a false sense of security because the ground looks wet when in fact it is frozen.
"Our gritting crews did a full run last night and are running at full capacity today to o what we can to counter the hazardous conditions."Our gritting crews did a full run last night and are running at full capacity today to o what we can to counter the hazardous conditions.
"We are expecting these conditions to last for about the next 24 hours.""We are expecting these conditions to last for about the next 24 hours."
Some bus services have also been affected, including the Fellrunner service from Langwathby to Penrith, which has been cancelled.Some bus services have also been affected, including the Fellrunner service from Langwathby to Penrith, which has been cancelled.
Derek Cartwright, director of emergency services for the North West Ambulance Service, said: "We have already experienced a higher number of road traffic collisions than normal in Cumbria and we are urging the public to take extra care whilst out on the roads.Derek Cartwright, director of emergency services for the North West Ambulance Service, said: "We have already experienced a higher number of road traffic collisions than normal in Cumbria and we are urging the public to take extra care whilst out on the roads.
"We need older people and those who have long-term conditions to make sure they keep taking their medication and have sufficient supplies so that they don't need to go out for more during the cold spell."We need older people and those who have long-term conditions to make sure they keep taking their medication and have sufficient supplies so that they don't need to go out for more during the cold spell.
"I would urge people to be good neighbours and make sure the people they live near, especially ones who are older or suffering from serious illness, are safe and well this winter. ""I would urge people to be good neighbours and make sure the people they live near, especially ones who are older or suffering from serious illness, are safe and well this winter. "
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