Road crashes follow another frozen night for Sussex (From The Argus)

Road crashes follow another frozen night for Sussex

9:45am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Ben Parsons

Drivers are skidding off icy roads across Sussex after another night of plunging temperatures.

Accidents were being blamed on ice overnight at the Southerham roundabout on the A27 at Lewes, and on the eastbound carriageway of the A27 at Chichester.

No-one was seriously injured in the crashes. The Highways Agency has been gritting danger areas this morning.

Sussex Police said people may have been driving too fast for the conditions after freezing temperatures overnight.

Another accident was reported at 8.30am on the A27 at Crockhurst Hill, Salvington, Worthing, west of the junction with the A24.

Ice was again blamed for the collision between two cars.

An ambulance was called but no-one was seriously injured.

According to the Met Office the temperature at Shoreham fell to -6.4C at 7am today, and -6.8C at Herstmonceux.

The cold weather led some to mistake steam for smoke in Brighton.

Firefighters were called to Middle Street at 8pm on Friday - only to find that what a concerned onlooker thought was smoke coming from a roof was really vapour coming from a central heating vent.

Brighton and Hove City Council is urging people to check on elderly or vulnerable friends, family or neighbours. It said workers have been refilling grit bins.

A statement on its website said: "Residents are reminded that it is legally safe to clear snow or ice directly in front of the home, there is no liability on the householder for clearing a pathway on the pavement.

"In fact the council encourages residents to 'shovel, sweep, salt' to clear pavements and paths when it snows as it is much easier to do before the snow freezes."

The statement also said the council is offering shelter to every rough sleeper in the city during the freeze.

To report someone sleeping rough to the outreach workers call 0808 1680414 free or email brighton.rsssrt@cri.org.uk.

A Winter Warm scheme is being run for vulnerable people whose heating fails.

People who are over 65, disabled, single parents and families with children under 6 are eligible for emergency heaters.

The charity In Touch, which runs the scheme, can be contacted free on 0800 3134457 or by emailing homesafe@intouchsupport.co.uk.

Sussex Police's website is advising drivers that grit will fail to melt ice at below -5C.

It is advising people in areas hit by extreme cold weather only to drive if necessary and with caution.

People who do drive should keep informed of weather forecasts and keep a fully charged phone, blanket, water, hot flask and suitable footwear if they go out.

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