Cornwall weather: Schools closed and travel warning

More than 200 schools in Cornwall either closed or opened late due to freezing weather.

People in the county have been advised not to travel due to the icy conditions.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said it dealt with more than 300 reports of road traffic accidents linked to ice over the weekend.

Cornwall Council said work was ongoing to salt major routes throughout the county.

The authority published a list of all the affected schools.

Analysis: David Braine, senior meteorologist, BBC South West

Arctic air has given some very low overnight temperatures across Devon and Cornwall recently, and with low sun some road temperatures have not gone above freezing over the weekend.

Added to this, showers later on Saturday and Sunday morning fell on top of the frozen ground creating black ice where roads and pavements had not been treated.

Black ice is clear and often difficult to see or detect.

Last night's temperatures were between -4C and -7C and we will have the same problem on Monday night with ice.

Luckily few, if any, showers are forecast for Monday but the threat of sleet and snow is possible later on Tuesday and early on Wednesday.

Steve Bayley, highways network manager for Cornwall roads contractor Cormac, said: "Even on roads that have been treated with salt we have had situations where there's been rainfall or hail on top of already cold surfaces and that can instantly freeze.

"That can form black ice which is not easily visible to any drivers, so regardless of whether a road's been treated or not, ice is very likely to form and that is going to be the case for the rest of this evening."

Councillor Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport, said: "Our emergency services and gritting lorries are working hard to keep residents safe but we're calling on everyone to avoid travelling unless absolutely essential as it is treacherous out there.

"Please help our emergency services get to the people most in need by keeping routes clear and staying safe at home."

Schools and colleges will contact parents and carers if there are changes to the schedule or transport services.

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, portfolio holder for children and families, said: "We need everyone to stay safe and take extra care to avoid the risk of falls and injuries during this extreme weather."

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