Several roads across Cumbria are closed as sub-zero temperatures have struck the county - and the county's gritters are out in force trying to combat the problems.

Snow and ice have played havoc among parts of the UK and Cumbria is also feeling the effects.

As well as roads being closed schools are also shutting down for the day.

Temperatures were well below freezing in much of the county - you can find out just how cold it was here.

Cumbria Police and Cumbria County Council's highways teams have been responding to a number of road traffic collisions and accidents this morning, as drivers’ battle with icy conditions across the road network.

Gritters are also out and about trying to protect the county's roads.

The weather conditions have forced the closure of several roads, including:

  • Buttermere - Newlands Pass. Newlands Pass closed due to ice between Buttermere and Braithwaite
  • Ennerdale Bridge - Cold Fell Road. Cold Fell Road closed due to ice between Ennerdale Bridge and Calder Bridge
  • Eskdale - Hardknott Pass. Hardknott Pass closed due to ice between Eskdale and Little Langdale
  • Corney - Corney Fell Road. Corney Fell Road closed due to ice between Corney and Duddon Bridge

There's also reports of delays on the A595 at Egremont as traffic is heavier than normal southbound from Egremont bypass to Sellafield main gate. Travel time is 31 minutes between the two locations.

People using the M6 southbound to leave Cumbria will also hit delays between junctions 32 and 33 (Lancaster) following an earlier vehicle fire. One lane is closed currently.

It is unclear what has caused the delays.

St Bega's C of E Primary School, Holmrook, is closed until tomorrow. Staff there say they've taken the decision due to solid ice on the playground and the access routes.

Trains and travel

Trains on the West Coast Mainline are also affected by the weather. The early services from Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Picadilly to London Euston have been cancelled.

Some of this morning's services on the line, between Edinburgh/Glasgow and London Euston/Birmingham New Street, through Carlisle, are delayed because of a variety of problems including the weather. However, it appears that none are cancelled at this stage.

Some bus routes across the county are affected, say Stagecoach.

Gritters and road conditions

Cumbria County Council's gritting team are out in force trying to make the area's roads as safe as possible.

This, in particular, is following on from reports of run off from fields on to the roads, leading to ice formation.

Despite the protection work experts are urging drivers to take extra caution when driving.

Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The drop in temperatures and difficult road conditions presents motorists with a number of issues that make drivers, cyclists and pedestrians more vulnerable.

"The council urges road users to plan ahead of their journey for delays and poor weather conditions, and supports the advice offered by motoring authorities such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists, RAC and Department for Transport.

"It is vital to ensure your vehicle is prepared for the winter and to be aware of slippery road surfaces as well as taking a supply of warm clothes and food on all journeys.

“Cumbria has some of the highest terrain and most challenging roads in the country.

"Our gritting team plays a vital role in keeping the county moving and are well prepared for whatever challenges the weather continues to bring this winter.

"It’s also very important that people exercise the same caution on treated routes as they do on non-treated roads – just because a road has been gritted doesn’t mean it is safe in sub-zero temperatures."


Electricity North West have been forced to stop planned maintenance works in east Cumbria because of the icy weather.

A spokeswoman said: "We've cancelled our planned works in Appleby-in-Westmorland CA16 this morning due to weather conditions. We'll reschedule this work for a later date. Apologies for any inconvenience caused."


The cold night saw temperatures drop as low as -11.6C (11F) in Chillingham Barns, Northumberland.

A chilly day is forecast - and yellow warning for ice is in place for most of Wales and central parts of England - while on Monday night temperatures could drop as low as -15C (5F), the Met Office warns.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "It was chilly in Chillingham Barnes, but it wasn't the coldest night of 2017 - that was Saturday night when temperatures went down to -12.4C.

"We could well beat that tonight and could go as low as -12C and even -15C."


Pete Williams, the RAC's road safety spokesman, said they are expecting 11,000 breakdowns on Monday, a figure which is 20% above the seasonal norm.

"I think the big thing is people are not going to leave enough time," he said.

"Journeys will take two to three times longer.

"It's going to be treacherous driving conditions."

He said low overnight temperatures could cause black ice and urged people to drive slowly, leaving plenty of space between them and the car in front.