Drivers urged to take care as plummeting temperatures leave roads like 'ice rinks'

A yellow warning for ice has been issued for the entire region, with most waking to minus temperatures this morning after a weekend of snow and floods. The warning for ice is in place until 11am this morning due the 'hard frost'.

Flood warnings remain in place for the River Severn at Bewdley - meaning 'flooding is expected - immediate action required', according to the government's flood information service. This follows the flood barriers being breached by the rising water levels overnight on Friday.

West Midlands Roads has urged motorists to drive slowly and safely, leaving a 'big gap' from other vehicles to allow for extra braking distance.

The service added that all primary routes have been gritted, but warned that 'back roads, and residential roads, and untreated surfaces will resemble ice rinks this morning, and any traction will be difficult'.

"Only essential journeys should be being made, when it's safe," it added.

Check which roads have been gritted here.

See the latest forecast from The Met Office here:

Dudley Council also took to social media this morning to say their gritters had been out throughout the night and were back out again this morning, continuing to operate '24 hours a day'.

"Please take care on the roads if you have to make an essential journey – there will be ice and snow, even on gritted surfaces," said the authority.

It comes after challenging driving conditions saw emergency services attend a number of crashes overnight.

Among them was this smash in Stechford, Birmingham:

The Road Safety Department at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged drivers to reduce their speed and avoid harsh braking and acceleration to reduce the chances of skidding.