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The Isle of Wight Council is preparing for further snowfall overnight tonight (Saturday 9 January).
The Met Office has forecast between 2 and 5cm of snow with some places receiving as much as 10cm. Strong winds may also cause snow to drift in places, causing further road disruption.
The council has snow ploughs on standby, ready for deployment on primary routes as soon as predicted snow fall reaches a state when it can be ploughed. This will be followed by a continual salt run until these roads linking the Island's major towns are cleared.
Untreated roads where snow has compacted to ice will become treacherous if snow settles and the council urges road users to drive with extreme caution and only travel if absolutely essential.
Peter Hayward, Isle of Wight Council Head of Highways and Transport said: “If more snow falls as forecast, we will concentrate on clearing the Island's primary routes as a priority. Untreated roads will remain extremely icy and we would advise people to be very cautious and only travel if absolutely necessary.
“In light of the latest forecast from the Met Office, I would urge people to go in, stay in and tune in to local media for updates.”
The council is again repeating its message for people to be good neighbours and check on elderly and vulnerable residents where possible. Wightcare, the council's out of hours emergency social care service can be contacted on 821105.
Notes for editors
Please check
www.iwight.com for updates on council services, highways and schools.
