Snow causes disruption in Dorset - crashes and road closures

As reported, a yellow weather warning for snow was put in place across Dorset from 5am to 3pm today.

Traffic in Swyre (Image: Simon Porter) The west of the county faced the worst of it. 

There were major delays on the A35 and it was eventually closed between Monkey’s Jump roundabout in Dorchester and Winterbourne Abbas as it became impassable. 

Pictures in areas such as Askerswell show treacherous road conditions and cars stranded. There were reports of drivers being helped with their cars by other Good Samaritans. A stretch of the road was closed from 8am to around 2pm.

READ: Trains brought to standstill by snow

A crash between a van and a car at Raymonds Hill, on the Dorset/Devon border, and that section of the A35 was closed in both directions as a result.

There were major queues on the Ridgeway due to the snow and stuck vehicles. It, too, was closed for a number of hours after a lorry and two cars became stuck in the area. It reopened around noon. 

Motorists struggling on the A35 at Askerswell as heavy snow falls (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)Coming off the A35 at Charmouth, the road was impassable due to snow on the A3052 in both directions from the Charmouth roundabout to Colway Lane at Lyme Regis.

PICTURES: Photographer captures snow scenes in county

Snow also made the road impassable on the A37 Long Ash Lane both ways from Murco petrol station (Frampton) to Leigh turn off (Melbury Sampford).

Cars stuck on Ridgway (Image: David Payne) Areas were described as 'gridlocked' as cars struggled to get through the snow. 

Several lorries were also stuck at the A352 at Lyons Gate in Dorchester.

Lorries stuck on A352, Lyons Gate, Dorchester. (Image: Dorset Traffic Cops) Elsewhere, the coast road was thick with snow and it was closed at Portesham after a car toppled over.

Dorset Police stated there were no reports of any injuries and road closures were put in place at Portesham Hill while recovery was arranged.

The road became impassable between Abbotsbury and Swyre due to the snow. 

Car toppled over at Portesham Hill (Image: NQ)Commuters didn't have a better time by rail as both Great Western Railway and South Western Railway faced major disruption. 

Great Western Railway reported that all lines were blocked due to heavy snowfall between Maiden Newton and Upwey which led to delays and cancellations of services.

Snow also caused a points failure at Dorchester West station. 

There were also cancellations and delays for South Western Railway trains between Axminster and Salisbury.

READ: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for ice in Dorset

The disruption was been caused due to an earlier problem with the points, affecting the line from Axminster running through Dorset to London Waterloo.

A warning for ice is now in place and will remain so until tomorrow.

Keep an eye on our website tomorrow morning when we will bring you an updated list of any school closures.