The public is urged to travel only if “absolutely necessary” due to the freezing weather

Police advising people to travel only if it is “absolutely necessary” after the freezing weather led to dozens of road accidents.

The UK Health Service (UKHSA), the government’s public health agency, issued a level three alert on Monday in response to “severe winter weather”.

Avon and Somerset Police said early on Tuesday morning that they were advising the public to travel only in extreme cases after police received more than 100 reports of incidents on the roads in five hours.

A total of 53 road accidents were reported to police between 6pm and 11pm on Monday night, the majority of which were due to the freezing weather which created dangerous driving conditions.

The force said seven of the incidents were reported to have resulted in injuries, but they were not believed to be serious.

Another 67 calls were received regarding other road accidents.

Superintendent Mark Runacres said: “We advise the public to only drive where absolutely necessary due to the treacherous driving conditions.

“If travel is necessary, we ask the public to be very careful and allow extra time for travel.

“In the last 12 hours we have seen a significantly higher number of collisions and incidents on the roads, which has increased the demand on police resources.

“We are working with local authorities and the National Motorway to ensure the roads are properly polished before peak hour traffic to improve traffic conditions.”

Metaburo said everything England the cold weather will continue until 9 am friday.

Forecasters have issued a yellow ice warning for the whole of southern England until 10am on Tuesday morning, with the ice likely to cause difficult driving conditions.

A separate yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place for Cornwall and Devon until 10 am.

Just after 3am, Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted: “Police are urging drivers to take care as heavy snow falls across the region.

“#A30 Carland Cross nearby Newquay is currently closed due to snow, according to Highways. Please allow extra time for any journey and drive carefully.’

Shortly before 4.30am, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “We have had reports of vehicles stuck in snow on the A39 at Trispen and the A391 at Bugle.

“Please be extra careful on the roads as the traffic conditions are dangerous. If necessary, stop if it is unsafe to continue.’

The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for parts of Northern Ireland, north-west England and Wales from 12pm on Monday until 12pm on Tuesday.

Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place across Scotland until 9am on Tuesday.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan activated the capital’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) on Monday to provide emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough as temperatures in the city are expected to drop below 0C overnight.

The Met Office warned that “sleet and ice may cause some disruption” and could lead to longer journeys for train drivers and passengers.

It said the rough conditions could also lead to slips and falls on icy surfaces, and urged drivers and cyclists to beware of icy patches on unpaved roads.