Newlyweds spend honeymoon night with 80 others at rescue centre
A couple have spent their honeymoon night at a rescue centre after becoming stranded in heavy snow on the north side of Dartmoor.
Newlyweds John and Sara Lund had been trying to reach Watergate Bay Hotel, on the north Cornwall coast, on Sunday night.
The couple, who were married in Bristol on Sunday, were due to start a three-night stay at the luxury hotel but became stuck on the A30.
They spent the night with 80 others at a rest centre set up at Okehampton College.
"We were heading down to Watergate Bay in Newquay for what would have been a very luxurious honeymoon in a beautiful bridal suite with bouquets of flowers but we, like a number of other people, got caught in the A30 just outside Okehampton," Mr Lund told BBC Breakfast.
"The lovely people of Devon County Council have looked after us very well.
Our newly weds, John & Sara who spent their wedding night at Okehampton Rest Centre.. Pretty unique way of spending your first night.. pic.twitter.com/UKNCdG5Ksf
-- Richard White (@Sectorleadrich) March 19, 2018
"I didn't imagine there would be snow in March to be perfectly honest with you, but certainly didn't expect to spend our first night in a school college."
The road to Princetown from Dousland is closed!Just spent 90 minutes digging ourselves out of a snowdrift. If a Defender can get stuck, a hatchback hasn't got a chance!??#Princetown#Snow#Dartmoorpic.twitter.com/FCiXo7ofsF
-- Tavistock Police (@TavistockPolice) March 19, 2018
The couple said they hoped to make their way to the hotel on Monday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the A30 had been hit by "significant snow", causing 64 miles of road between the M5 at Exeter and the A38 at Bodmin to be shut.
The driver of this car was issued a £100 fine after failing to adequately clear their vehicle so they could see out of it. The snow on the roof was 3 inches deep.
Please remember to clear you car completely, including the lights. ???? pic.twitter.com/aEOjyIHdcs
-- Dorset Traffic Police (@DorsetTraffic) March 18, 2018
Hundreds of schools across the south west were closed on Monday due to snow and ice.
Devon County Council said the seaside resort of Ilfracombe had been "cut off" on Monday, with gritters and ploughs sent to clear routes.
? Advice 4 today/tomorrow for those considering any travelling? Ice warning from 7pm today - 9am? Avoid travel after dark tonight? Allow extra time 4 journeys? Do not travel to the moorsFollow @BBCTravelSW and @DC_Police#Devon#Cornwall ? Please Share ? pic.twitter.com/s2c9lUoPwj
-- DevonCornwall Police (@DC_Police) March 19, 2018
Multiple vehicles were stuck in deep snow drifts in and around the town and police urged motorists to avoid the area.
Officers in Tavistock spent 90 minutes digging their Land Rover Defender out of a snow drift.
A yellow ice warning is in force for tonight across parts of England and Wales. Today's snow melt is likely to refreeze in places giving the risk of icy stretches, so take care and stay #weatherawarepic.twitter.com/K4KL3xTTo4
-- Met Office (@metoffice) March 19, 2018
A yellow weather warning has been in place from 7pm on Monday until 9am on Tuesday, affecting the east Midlands, east of England, London and south east England, the north east, north west, south west and Wales, west Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber.
Motorists have been urged to avoid travel in hours of darkness, with people advised to be careful even when walking as it is "extremely slippery underfoot".
Two visitors and another customer for the rest centre..82 now. Cups of coffee and a warm up for the officers before going back to work.. pic.twitter.com/oX7cvfH6zk
-- Richard White (@Sectorleadrich) March 19, 2018
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police added: "A lot of rural routes are impassable at present and Exmoor, Lyton, Lynmouth and Coombe Martin are currently cut off.
"Devon Highways and partners are working hard to clear the roads and enable access to these areas.
"We are also asking motorists to avoid the moors today and tomorrow due to the dangerous driving conditions."
?TIVERTON - please use water wisely?
Affected areas: Calverleigh, Templeton, Cruwys Morchard, Withleigh, Cotteylands, Farleigh and Waldrons Estate
We're onsite and working to clear the flooding and reinstate the pumps.
Latest information ? https://t.co/5CwAFWppPypic.twitter.com/bwZeyasA5n
-- South West Water (@SouthWestWater) March 19, 2018
Residents in Tiverton, Devon, have been asked to conserve water after a burst water main caused flooding and supply problems.
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