UK Weather: snow brings travel warning for drivers in Cumbria

A number of roads have been closed due to snowfall

A motorist drives in snowy conditions. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Police have warned motorists in Cumbria to drive carefully in treacherous weather conditions.

A number of roads in the north west county, including the A66 in both directions, have been closed due to snowfall, with an added risk of black ice.

The A66 eastbound was closed first after vehicles became stuck on the carriageway which prompted police patrols to attend.

A 30mph speed restriction is currently in place on the M6 between Penrith and Tebay in both directions.

Both routes are blocked on the A5092 and there is queuing traffic between the A5804 (Penny Bridge) and A590 (Greenod).

Kirkstone Pass, Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass are all closed.

A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary said: “Police are urging motorists to travel only if necessary and ask that motorists drive to the conditions.”

The warnings come in the wettest winter for a hundred years, as sixteen severe flood warnings were in place on Tuesday night, 14 along the Thames and another two in the Somerset Levels.

The Environment Agency has also announced 133 flood warnings and 225 flood alerts.

In some parts of England the water table has reached record levels following the extreme rainfall in recent weeks and ancient buried rivers could start to flow, causing flooding in communities which are miles from major rivers.

The British Geological Survey said parts of the Thames Valley in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire were at risk of localised flooding until May.

Hundreds of troops have been already been deployed to help residents flooded out of their homes.

David Cameron has said stricken communities may have to wait until May before the water recedes.

Additional reporting by PA