Ice warning for treacherous roads and pavements as wintery weather bites in the West Midlands

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of ice after snow brought major disruption and power outages to swathes of the UK yesterday.

Western Power Distribution said about 4,000 homes were without power in the Midlands on Wednesday following snow in parts.

Frost and ice blanketed much of the Midlands today with temperatures down below 0C (32F) this morning.

Walsall Council said its gritting teams had been out overnight to treat roads after sub zero temperatures overnight.

Environment Agency manager Dave Throup said snow in places had thawed with water making its way into river system keeping levels raised.

It was also adding to surface water to roads and pavements which froze overnight.

Flood defences were also being cleared across Birmingham and the Black Country with more rain forecast on Friday.

There were reports of passengers being left “stranded” at Stansted Airport on Wednesday evening after hundreds were left waiting to re-book tickets on dozens of flights which were cancelled due to earlier bad weather.

Airport officials were on standby with beds and blankets for anyone who was unable to get home or find accommodation as they attempted to clear the backlog.

Disruption to flights is expected to continue today as planes will require de-icing.

Passengers face disruption on the trains with engineering works continuing between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton railway stations.

Replacement buses are in service between local stations. A non-stop train service is in place.

Repair and replacement work is taking place on the track at Soho North Junction between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Two yellow warnings for ice covering parts of the country are in place until 11am, with road users being warned of treacherous conditions on untreated surfaces.

After an icy start, most places will have a fine day with plenty of sunshine.

However, forecasters say it will stay cold and there will be the odd shower in a few places towards the north and west of the region.

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Skies are expected to clear for most part on Thursday and it will remain cold with temperatures reaching between 2C (37F) and 5C (41F).

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “Roads and pavements will be slippery so if you are walking it could be treacherous, similarly it will be treacherous on the roads that have not been treated or were treated but showers have washed salt away."

Sub-zero temperatures are expected widely across the UK again on Thursday night, with the mercury expected to plunge as low as minus 10C (12F) in parts of Scotland and Wales.