Mountain Road remains shut amid new ice warning

Snowploughs were redeployed to clear the fresh snowfall on the Mountain Road

A major route connecting the Isle of Man's capital with the north of the island is set to remain shut due to snow as the island faces a warning of icy conditions on all other roads.

A road closure order for the A18 Mountain Road, which has been closed since Saturday night, has been extended until midnight on Friday.

Ronaldsway Met Office has upgraded a weather warning for ice, in place until 12:00 GMT on Friday, from yellow to amber.

Forecasters said "largely clear skies" meant there was a "significant risk of ice forming" anywhere as many roads had remined wet or damp throughout the day.

While the whole of the island was vulnerable to the conditions, sheltered low-lying spots in central, southern and western parts of the island were most at risk.

The road has been closed since Saturday night

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said existing ice and snowfall the previous night had "hampered efforts" to reopen the Mountain Road and the adjoining Ben-Y-Phott and Tholt-Y-Will roads.

While efforts were initially been concentrated on lower roads earlier, staff had later been redeployed to Snaefell, it added.

A yellow weather warning for snowfall issued on Wednesday had been extended from 06:00 until 14:00 GMT due to continuing wintry showers in parts of the island.

The Isle of Man Constabulary said main routes were "passable with care" but urged the public to "leave plenty of time" for journeys, and "drive to the conditions, leaving plenty of distance to vehicles in front".

The Isle of Man Airport said that while it was operational, snow and icy conditions in the UK, particularly in Liverpool and Manchester posed a threat of disruption or delays.

The Isle of Man Post Office also warned that postal workers would only deliver items where it was "safe to do so" amid the icy conditions.