Isle of Man Mountain Road reopens after snow and ice closure

The Isle of Man's A18 Mountain Road has reopened after being closed for more than 24 hours due to snow and ice.

The Department of Infrastructure said conditions on the carriageway had improved between Ramsey and the Creg Ny Baa after further salting.

However, the department said there was "still some snow and frost on the road" and drivers were asked to "reduce their speed and drive to the conditions".

But the icy conditions look set to be replaced by gales and rain.

The sub-zero temperatures coupled with wintry showers on Wednesday and Thursday also led to the closure of several other roads around the island, all of which have now reopened.

But thawing conditions are set to give way to forecast gales, including gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h), which are expected to hit the island on Sunday, along with heavy rain leading to a warning for potential localised flooding.

Ronaldsway Met Office said the conditions posed a "risk of disruption to land, sea and air travel".

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has warned of possible disruption to ferry services between Douglas and Heysham from Saturday through to Monday morning.

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