Last updated at 14:40, Tuesday, 20 December 2011

WINTRY weather caused havoc across the county’s roads.

Black ice was linked to 14 accidents before 8am yesterday and police urged drivers to take care.

In the south of the county the A590 was one of the worst affected roads.

Police closed the road at Lindale following a two–car smash at around 5.36am.

A Vauxhall Corsa and a Peugeot 206 collided, blocking the eastbound carriageway.

As police worked to clear the scene at 5.54am, a Ford Escort skidded and left the road.

Another driver lost control of a Vauxhall Astra and mounted the central reservation at 6.29am.

Police held back traffic to allow gritters through in a bid to tackle the treacherous conditions.

In Ulverston, residents hit out at the icy roads and pavements.

Alan Low, of The Gill, Ulverston, said the road outside his house was like a skating rink.

He keeps a store of his own salt to spread on the pavement.

Mr Low said: “The Gill is in trouble if it freezes, because the sun doesn’t get on to it and it can stay frozen for weeks.

“The council did grit the road once last year, but recently it has been very slippery. And the pavements are just as bad as the road.

“On Sunday it was like a skating rink trying to get from the car to the front door.

“I can’t remember gritters around here and I haven’t seen them in Ulverston yet.”

Mark Rawlins slipped on ice outside Tesco in Market Street on Sunday evening.

He was helped by two strangers after hitting his head on the pavement.

Mr Rawlins wanted to thank the Good Samaritans.

He said: “I almost knocked myself out when my head hit the pavement. One lady with long blond hair came to help and a man jumped out of his white van too.

“I didn’t get their names, but wanted to say thank you. If it hadn’t been for those two, I’d probably still be lying there.”

First published at 13:32, Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk