VIDEO and PICTURES: Hailstorm causes Torbay traffic problems

A VIOLENT hailstorm caused traffic problems in Torbay on Tuesday morning.

During the storm, at around 7.30am, hailstones damaged roofs and froze as they hit the road surface.

Thunder and lightning accompanied the downpours in some places.

Hellevoetsluis Way, between Gallows Gate and Kerswell Gardens, was closed due to the frozen surface which caused at least one accident. The road was re-opened at around 10.30am.

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Drivers avoiding the ring road then caused long tailbacks along the seafront and through Chelston.

"It was epic," said one motorist.

There were also problems on the A380 near Kerswell Gardens.

Traffic was also facing long delays around Newton Abbot.

School buses were among the vehicles held up in the traffic jams, with students delayed heading for KEVICC in Totnes among other schools.

Hellevoetsluis Way in Torbay was closed due to ice between Gallows Gate and Kerswell Gardens; the A38 at Kennford was partially blocked in the Newton Abbot direction after a multi-vehicle accident where ice and visibility were reduced; the A380 at Kingsteignton was closed both ways at the B3195 Exeter Road junction due to ice; on the A381 between Totnes and Ipplepen there were problems with ice.