MOTORISTS from East Hampshire heading west in the coming hours may need to re-think their travel plans as heavy snow has brought chaos on the roads.
Some people have been stuck for over seven hours on the A31 between Southampton and Ringwood and Hampshire Police have declared a major incident due to the severe problems being experienced in the area.
Road conditions are also poor through the New Forest, the A35 in Dorset and the A36 between Southampton and Salisbury was also closed due to motorists being stranded due to the weather conditions this evening.
Police officers are currently dealing with the build-up of traffic on the A31. Both the eastbound and westbound carriageways are blocked, and westbound queues are stretching back as far as junction four on the M27.
A statement from Hampshire Police said: “We have requested military assistance and are on scene with our partners and are working to get people out as soon as possible.
“Rest centres are being set up by Hampshire County Council and food and drink is being taken to those who are stranded.
“We would remind motorists to please avoid the area.
“Our message to those on the A31 is help and assistance is on its way.
“If you have a medical condition or require urgent assistance, we need to know. Call us on 101, or in an emergency call 999.
“Please stay in your vehicles and stay as warm as possible – keep your engine running otherwise your battery will drain. If you are running low on fuel then please call 101 and let us know.”
A red weather warning remains in place for parts of south west England and southern Wales and Highways England is urging drivers to check road conditions before setting out on journeys on Friday.
A statement from Highways England said: “In line with the Met Office Red Alert, and for safety reasons, we are encouraging people in the South West not to travel between the hours of 8pm today (Thursday) and 2am tomorrow.
“We are working hard around the clock to keep everyone safe on the network.”
Highways England’s head of road safety, Richard Leonard, said: “Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.
“If you need to travel, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and when the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.
“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel.”
Highways England has issued its own amber alert for roads in the South West, North East, West Midlands, South East and East, and drivers should take extra care when travelling in these regions as frequent snow showers are forecast.