Police seize 'drifting' cars amid snow disruption

Snow has fallen across much of Wales causing travel disruption, with a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in place.

Gwent Police seized two vehicles after they deliberately drifted in the snow in Newport, and cars were seen doing the same in Oakdale, Caerphilly county, with officers warning that dangerous driving "will not be tolerated".

North Wales Police advised people to "drive to the prevailing conditions", after a number of crashes on the A55 at Llanddulas, Conwy county, due to "extremely poor" weather.

Some sporting fixtures were cancelled, and there appeared to have been some panic buying with reports of milk running out in some shops.

A stranded lorry closed the A44 in both directions at Llangurig in Powys and Lovesgrove roundabout in Capel Dewi and the A469 in Caerphilly was closed, but both have since been reopened.

All roads affected by snow and ice had reopened by midday on Sunday, but travellers were still advised to drive with caution.

Transport for Wales advised rail passengers to check before travelling as a landslip in Gobowen, Shropshire, closed the Shrewsbury line towards Wrexham, with buses running instead.

It also said that, due to a fallen tree on the line, buses would be running instead of trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Two flights were diverted to Cardiff Airport after Bristol Airport suspended its operations because of the weather. But Cardiff Airport said it was "not expecting any operational disruption" with flights continuing as normal.

The Met Office lifted an amber weather warning in north Wales at midday.

However, a yellow snow and ice warning is in place for the rest of Sunday covering Anglesey, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Powys and Wrexham.

The Met Office also put out a further yellow warning for snow and ice on Monday, which covers Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Powys and Wrexham, and is in place until midday.

It said that people in affected areas should expect the chance of power cuts and possible travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

There is a separate yellow rain warning covering parts of Wales until 06:00 GMT on Monday, with the risk of heavy rain and thawing snow leading to some flooding in places.

Natural Resources Wales said there was one flood warning in place and 24 flood alerts.

It added that its officers were prepared for potential river impacts from the snow and rain.

Chris Carnell, from Caerphilly, said the road between Pennar Lane, Newbridge, and Coed Duon View, Pentwynmawr was closed on Saturday night because of a bus crash. A photo showed a bus skewed across the snowy road, blocking it.

Gwent Police posted on Facebook that there were diversions on that road.

Despite advice to be careful while travelling on Saturday, there were reports of drivers deliberately drifting their cars in the snow in Oakdale, Caerphilly county, and Newport.

Gwent Police seized two vehicles for "drifting around dangerously" in poor conditions in Spytty, Newport, on Saturday evening.

In a statement on X, the police said that "dangerous, careless or anti-social driving will not be tolerated in Gwent".

Several football games have been postponed due to the weather following pitch inspections:

• Newport v Morecambe, League Two
• Gwalia United v Oxford, Southern Premiership
• Swansea City v Briton Ferry, Adran Premier League
• The New Saints v Cardiff City, Adran Premier League

There appeared to have been some panic buying in stores in Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent too, as Kay Rees said "there wasn't any milk in the shops" on Saturday, so she had to try again.

Ms Rees added that she hoped the slush did not turn to ice which would make it harder for people to get out.

Public Health Wales issued cold weather advice and guidance ahead of the weekend weather warnings on its social media channels.