Mountain Road closed on safety grounds due to snow

Snowfall on the hills has led to the closure of the Mountain Road on the Isle of Man on safety grounds - while stormy conditions have cancelled ferry crossings.

The A18 was closed from the Gooseneck to the Creg Ny Baa after overnight snowfall led to icy conditions, with a review due later.

Strong winds have led to a warning for large waves breaking over coastal roads and promenade around high tide between 11:00 and 15:00.

The conditions have also seen the 18:30 GMT crossing of the Manxman between the island and Lancashire and its overnight return called off, with four further sailings at risk.

Although the 07:45 ferry sailing to Heysham and its 13:45 return will run as scheduled, the day's later sailings have been cancelled.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said as well as the evening and overnight sailings, all the remaining journeys on Thursday were also at risk due to the ongoing adverse conditions.

Police said an inspection by the Department of Infrastructure of the Mountain Road at 07:00 had found the conditions meant it was "not safe enough to open", and a further assessment would be carried out at midday.

Ronaldsway Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for "to significant overtopping of waves and debris" either side of the 12:45 high tide.

Forecasters said areas set to be affected were promenades in Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey, and the western section of Shore Road in Rushen, with Castletown Promenade also at risk to a lesser extent.

There was also a risk of minor flooding at high tide in low lying areas near the Riverside Industrial Estate and Gardener's Lane in Ramsey and the Tongue in Douglas, they added.

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