Stranded drivers on 'impassable' Devon road take shelter from snow

Snowbound drivers on a major route into Exeter have been taking shelter from the dangerous conditions at an equestrian centre. The Hidden Oak on the Sidmouth-bound road has opened its doors and is offering drinks and cake.

Photos and video show vehicles at a standstill on the A3052 and motorists out of their cars. One person said: "Hidden Oak letting stranded people come in for shelter drinks and cake even without power."

Devon has been hit by a large deposit of snowfall on Thursday with multiple road closures, train cancellations and schools shut. There are also multiple traffic incidents reported.

Trees have come down in several places. The traffic site Inrix says the A3052 is "impassable" due to snow between Newton Poppleford, the Hidden Oak and Farringdon.

"It says: "Delays and road is impassable due to snow on A3052 in both directions from B3178 Exmouth Road (Newton Poppleford) to Exeter Airport turn off (Farringdon)."

Photos show cars and buses struggling to make any progress on the road. A weather ice warning predicts expected temperatures to drop below freezing in many areas overnight.

The Met Office says: "Icy stretches are expected to form on untreated surfaces during Thursday evening and overnight into Friday morning as temperatures drop below freezing."

You can keep up to date with all the latest news on the snow in our live blog.

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