Travel disruption as heavy snow forces roads and schools to close

Traffic comes to a standstill at Sourton Cross near Okehampton in Devon
Drivers are being warned to expect disruption into Friday 22 November following heavy snow in Devon, Cornwall, and further afield on Thursday 21 November.
Scores of roads across the region became impassable, with motorists abandoning their vehicles and continuing on foot.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice from 5pm on Thursday 21 November until 10am on Friday 22 November, and there remains a possibility of further wintry showers, before heavy rain from Storm Bert is due to arrive over the weekend.
Disruption to travel by rail and road
Great Western Railway has suspended some of its services in the West Country.
Due to heavy snow between Crediton and Okehampton the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 6pm on Thursday 21 November.
This means train services between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton via Crediton will be cancelled.
Train services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple via Crediton may also be cancelled or delayed.
Following heavy snow between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth all lines have now reopened.
You can find full details of all the Great Western Railway delays and cancellations here.
Dozens of roads across the region are “impassable” according to travel service Inrix, with closures on the following routes:
Mixture of snow, slush and surface water poses ‘challenge’ for gritters
Devon County Council has warned drivers to take care as the potential for icy patches remains until Friday 22 November.
In a statement they said: “Devon’s gritters have been out on main routes throughout this morning and ploughing in areas where there has been the most snowfall. The county’s fleet of gritters is due to head out again around 3pm this afternoon as well as the early hours of tomorrow morning.”
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, added: “The mix of snow, sleet and rain has created a number of different challenges across the county. The snow has caused some disruption, but there have also been other issues to contend with such as fallen trees.“Our teams have been working around the clock and we thank them for their ongoing efforts.
“They have been continuing to treat our salting network this morning and some of the gritters have also been ploughing routes on higher ground to clear the snow. Our advice remains to drive according to conditions and take extra care.”
List of cleared roads
Cornwall school closures
More than 100 schools are closed across, Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.
In Cornwall, the following schools are shut:
Devon school closures
Somerset school closures