Ice causes Bristol roads chaos
Ice and foggy weather conditions led to a series of road accidents and hold-ups in the Bristol area on Wednesday morning.
A queue of about 50 lorries and cars lined the A37 southbound between Whitchurch and Pensford at just after 8am after drivers decided conditions on Hursley Hill were too dangerous.
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Lorries queued on the A37 in Whitchurch
And a series of accidents caused traffic gridlock around Portishead and Portbury this morning.
The first crash was at just after 4am this morning on the A369 when a blue Sharan people carrier skidded on ice and crashed into the wall and lampost at Abbots Leigh Road near the Home Farm Road junction.
A large amount of debris, including two of the vehicles’s tyres, was left in the road which remained partially blocked until around 9am this morning.
Huge queues built up after emergency crews closed the road on alternative sides to let traffic slowly through.
There were also problems on the A369 caused by ice at the junction with Sandy Lane in Abbots Leigh and the road was down to one lane.
The traffic chaos was made worse following a three car accident at Portbury Lane by Racecourse Farm at just after 7am.
The road was closed off from the bottom of Portbury Lane at its junction with the High Street while the debris was cleared.
Naish Hill in Clapton-in Gordano was also closed following a crash which blocked Cadbury Camp Lane at the junction of Cuckoo Lane and Whitehouse Lane.
Drivers were told to divert through North Weston and Weston-in-Gordano to Clevedon.
Police said motorists had encountered problems due to the icy road conditions.
Lorry driver Mark Chapman, who lives in Axbridge, was stuck at the top of Hursley Hill for three hours on his way to deliver goods to Shepton Mallet.
He travelled through Whitchurch in his 44-tonne vehicle at 5.30am and noticed the road was covered in ice.
Mr Chapman said: “My trailer started to slide into the curb and I had no traction. I managed to stop at the top of the hill and could see an 18-tonner had hit a milk tanker and was straddling the road.
“A motorcyclist then went past us and came off in the middle of the road because he didn’t realise he was on sheet ice. A queue of traffic formed because no one wanted to go down the hill.
Mr Chapman, who said southbound traffic began moving again at 8.30am, added: “The gritters were out too early last night. They gritted at 7pm but after that the snow melted on the hills and washed all the grit away.”
There were later accidents this morning in Weston-super-Mare, where one lane was blocked on the A370 northbound at Hutton Moor Road, and in Fishponds, where the A432 Fishponds Road was blocked at the Wharf Road junction.
10 Comments
by Lady, Africa
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 10:11PM
“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow !
Baby its cold outside!
Helll yeah baby !
Just dance in the snow”
by M, Bristol
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 12:38PM
“I agree 100% with KB, I dont understand how people can be so careless. If they had an accident, the insurance company would take the fact that they didnt have any lights on into consideration and would probably find against them.”
by KB, Bristol, England
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 11:11AM
“Just off the thread a bit, but why at the first sign of drizzle do motorists dazzle you with headlights, spotlamps, foglamps etc; yet this morning with visibility down to 100 yards in places ther were at least 10 cars and 1 van driving without any lights at all.
If you cannot abide by the law and any common sense hang up- your keys and catch the bus !!”
by Julraj, bristol
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 11:00AM
“I waited for 2 hours and travelled 200m before turning around. it sucked.”
by Zoe, Portishead
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 10:50AM
“I live by the Police HQ and normally drive through Clapton Lane and no matter how careful you drive, if the roads are icy, and you lose control for one split second, you have no chance so my full sympathy goes to whoever had that accident this morning. I almost lost control of my car just coming out of my road this morning. Luckilly nobody was about and I managed to get it back, but you don't necessarily have to be speeding to fall victim to these horrible conditions.
I must admit, it was annoying being stuck on the A369 for two hours, and I could see a lot of cars turning round and speeding off in the other direction, but what would people rather??? I would rather be stuck in a jam driving slowly along icy roads than on my roof anyday! Now, roll on summer I say! I think the novelty of the snow and wintery scenes has officially worn off now!! :-)”
by Andie, Portbury
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 10:40AM
“Just to say thank you to the young guy who took the time to inform and re-direct traffic on the Portbury High Street / Mill Lane Junction this morning - he did a great job, thanks.”
by Pauline, Bristol
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 10:17AM
“Norman you are so correct in your comments re First Bus. Perhaps now all those of you who criticised First Bus last week, and asked for a refund on their passes, will now offer them an apology.”
by Norman, Bemmie
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 9:48AM
“I also hope that nobody makes silly remarks about any of the incidents. My sympathy is with all those who have to travel during this period of awful weather. When it comes to ice you have very little chance of recovering a slide once it starts however good a driver you are. First Bus was of course correct in suspending their services during the worse weather for not only have they a responsibility to their customers they have an equal responsibility for the safety and welfare of their staff. Take it easy everyone and be safe.”
by gav, nailsea
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 9:32AM
“i was first on the scene of the crash @ clapton in gordano,i hope the young girl is ok and i would like to thank the ppl who stopped to help me get her out..i know wat some of you ppl will be writing on here(accusing her of speeding) but i seen it happen and i can guarantee she was not.”
by Pauline, Bristol
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 9:10AM
“Doesn't what has happened in Gloucester justify First Group's reasons for taking the buses off the road in Bristol last Thursday and Friday?”