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Big freeze continues in Newbury area and beyond until New Year's Eve





The lowest temperatures of 2014 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland were recorded overnight last night, with -3c recorded in Newbury, which saw a sharp frost, while the temperature in Benson, Oxon, fell to -7.6c.
Sunshine today was expected to raise temperatures in Newbury to 4c.
In Newbury, a temperature of -1c is forecast tonight (Monday/Tuesday), returning to a more balmy 5c on Wednesday/Thursday night, to cheer New Year's Eve revellers.
A Met Office cold weather alert for northern England and the Midlands has warned of health risks for vulnerable people.
The Met Office alert remains in place until 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.
For the latest information on road gritting in West Berkshire visit http://info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=21667


- Balance your speed - too fast and you risk losing control, but if you go too slow you risk losing momentum
- Start gently in second gear, avoiding high revs. Stay in a higher gear for better control
- Only use the brake if you cannot steer out of trouble
- Increase the distance at which you follow other vehicles
- Plan your journey around busier roads, which are more likely to have been gritted
- On a downhill slope, get your speed low before you start the descent, and do not let it build up
- In falling snow, use dipped headlights or fog lights, but switch these off if conditions improve.


- ice scraper and de-icer
- torch
- blanket
- mobile phone, fully charged
- warm clothes and sturdy boots/footwear
- jump leads
- first aid kit
- food/hot drink/water
- snow shovel and something to put under car tyres if stuck eg old bit of carpet.
- use dipped headlights or foglights in falling snow.
- do not try to keep moving if the wheels spin, this will dig you in deeper


- screenwash containing antifreeze
- keep your tank topped up with fuel
- clear all snow and ice from windscreens and the car roof before setting off.
- if stranded in snow, do not run the engine if the exhaust pipe is covered in snow, to avoid being overwhelmed by carbon monoxide.
- make sure tyres are the correct pressure and double the legal minimum tread (minimum 3mm recommended)
- the car battery will run down more quickly in cold weather, do a regular long journey to top it up, or trickle charge the battery.



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