Surrey Police and partner agencies are extremely busy dealing with the problems resulting from the ongoing adverse weather.

Police are coping with this emergency situation but reiterate the advice to avoid making 999 calls unless there is a genuine emergency.

The warning today is about the extremely icy conditions across the county making many roads very slippery. Motorists are reminded that stopping distances should be increased and they should slow down to allow for the weather conditions..

All the main roads are open but these are slippery in places. Regular updates on the latest situation is available on the Surrey Alert website www.surreyalert.info, including news of school closures. For the latest news on road closures, residents are advised to look at the Highways section of Surrey Alert for major routes and the Surrey County Council section for local roads.

The public are urged not to clog up phone lines with 999 calls unless there is a genuine emergency and to instead to use our online service via the Surrey Police website www.surrey.police.uk to report incidents and for non-emergency enquiries. The online service is monitored 24/7 and we will pick up your enquiry promptly, getting back to you as necessary.

Very many roads remain treacherous so drivers are advised not to travel unless their journey is absolutely necessary.

Anyone who must use the road should allow lots of extra time for their journey, avoid high speeds and heavy breaking, and pack a blanket, warm clothes, food and a hot drink in case they become stranded. Drivers who choose to travel and then become stuck should call their recovery company – rather than police – and be prepared for a potentially long wait.

Superintendent Alan Sharp  said: “While it may have stopped snowing many roads remain very icy, causing treacherous driving conditions, and I urge all drivers to take extreme care if they have to travel.

“Police resources are  very busy, focused on dealing with emergency weather-related and other incidents and to help us provide this service, I urge people to only call the police in an emergency, which is when life is in imminent danger. Callers with non-urgent enquiries are asked to delay their call until the adverse weather conditions have passed or contact us via the Force website.”