South West Councils Mobilize Gritters as Icy Blast Approaches

As of November 17th, 2025, local councils in the South West region of the UK are taking action to brace for an icy blast expected to hit the area this week. Devon County Council has reported that its fleets have been out treating roads in North Devon and Dartmoor, while Cornwall Council has said that 28 gritters will be on standby to cover around 925 miles of the most heavily-used A and B roads in the county.

This comes as the Met Office has issued several yellow severe weather warnings for snow and ice in parts of Scotland and England on Tuesday. Additionally, the UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold-health alert for the South West until Saturday morning, warning of the potential for "significant impacts across health and social care services" and a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

Cornwall Council has stated that it is "as ready as ever" to deal with "whatever winter might throw at us this year," emphasizing the importance of keeping the region's roads clear for the local economy. Drivers are also being urged to check their vehicles and consider postponing non-essential journeys if conditions are poor, to allow the gritters to effectively treat the roads.