4:41pm Monday 21st December 2009
By Chris Gregory
A BOUT of heavy snowfall has led to traffic misery across Basingstoke as motorists contend with treacherous driving conditions.
The snow, which started falling at midday today, has caused disruption on many of the town’s roads, including the Ringway and Churchill Way.
There have also been reports of people leaving their cars by the side of the road as the snow continues to fall.
Andrew Howard, head of public affairs at the AA in Basing View, said: “The impression we have got is that it is gridlock.
“We were told to leave at 2.30pm but a number of people decided to come back into the office because they could not get out of Basing View.”
He said that at 3.30pm this afternoon, traffic going along the Ringway East towards the M3 was going at “walking pace”.
The Met Office has issued a warning of heavy snow for Hampshire this evening and tonight.
The warning states that 2 to 5cm of fresh snow could fall, with up to 10cm possible in places, especially on the higher ground.
Alison Taylor, communications manager at Hampshire County Council, said the council’s gritting lorries went out at 2.30pm today and were due to complete two more runs by the end of the day.
For more information on the delays, see the traffic information section of this website.
If you have got a snow picture or a story about the snowfall in Basingstoke, contact The Gazette newsdesk by calling 01256 337444 or email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk
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