A WARNING of icy roads has been issued to motorists by Devon County Council for this evening and overnight.

A WARNING of icy roads has been issued to motorists by Devon County Council for this evening and overnight.

Temperatures are forecast to drop as low as -3.5C overnight and drivers are being advised that they should take extra care as conditions could become hazardous.

Devon County Council's gritters will be out this afternoon from 5pm and again at 4am carrying out another salting of the major routes on the pre-salting network.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "Motorists must take extra care with the forecast of sub-zero temperatures, as the run-off from melting snow could freeze. Even when driving on roads that have been salted, motorists must take extreme care, and pedestrians must also be wary on footways."

Chris Cranston, Devon County Council's Highway Operations Control Centre Manager, said: "We're not expecting significant snow showers again this evening, but the main problem will be the potential of icy roads as it will be another cold night. We would urge everyone to take care and allow extra time for their journey."

Around 10cm-15cm fell in parts of the county last night, but roads across the county are passable with care.

Motorists are being reminded of the following advice:

Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;

Never assume a road has been salted - remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice. In very cold weather even salting will not stop ice from forming;

Allow extra time for your journey and reduce your speed;

Listen to local radio for updates on current conditions;

Drive with care and according to the conditions.

For information on winter driving conditions see:

http://www.devon.gov.uk/travelling_on_devons_roads.pdf