ICY conditions caused havoc on the roads this morning after a number of accidents occurred due to the slippery surface.

The Avon Causeway was closed again in the morning after a number of accidents were caused by the ice.

One car crashed on the bridge near to the Avon Causeway pub and police were on the scene warning drivers to slow down.

The road had been closed due to the flooding for over a week and was reopened on Monday evening before being closed again between Matchams Lane and the B3347 at Sopley.

Bournemouth Echo:

Martin Hill, Dorset County Council's winter maintenance manager, said: “The Avon Causeway was gritted on the evening of January 13.

“Following a request to open the road a team checked the condition of the road and with the weather forecast showing freezing temperatures decided that this route would benefit from a double dose of salt.

“The amount of surface water on the road reduced the effectiveness of the salt.

“Gritting roads doesn't ensure that the surface will be ice free. We advise drivers to adjust their driving style to the conditions.”

A spokesperson from Dorset County Council said they would not be gritting the road surface tonight as rain was predicted in the early evening.

Many pavements around the area had not been gritted, with reports of icy walkways in Verwood and Poole.

Roads in the Uddens Drive area of Ferndown were reported to be like a "skating rink" and fire crews from Ferndown and Wimborne have attended to collisions this morning.

Police were called to Uddens Drive at 8.45am after a car - a silver Vauxhall Zafira - turned on its roof.

No-one was hurt in the incident but police did close the road at the junction of the A31.

Dorset Fire Control tweeted: "Firefighters are reporting the roads in the Uddens Drive area are like a "skating rink". We are proceeding with caution are you?"

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said various places around the county - particularly in North Dorset - were icy.

These included Shaftesbury in the King Alfreds Way area, Milborne St Andrew, Sturminster Newton and the Avon Causeway.

This picture was taken at Wootton Bridge near Bashley this morning.

Bournemouth Echo: