Icy conditions have been causing problems this morning.

Richmond Hill was closed for time after a rain shower quickly turned to ice as it hit the ground. It has since reopened.Police said routes south from Douglas had become gridlocked. There were reports of seven accidents in an hour and a half in Foxdale, Braaid and St John's. No one was seriously hurt.Mountain Road, Shoulder Road and Creg-Ny-Baa Back road remain closed.A police spokesman said: 'Timing was unfortunate during this morning’s rush hour following a scattering of rainfall in parts of the island that froze on some of the roads.'Richmond Hill turned into an inclined ice rink and as such for public safety, this had to be closed.'In the space of about an hour and a half, we received seven reports of RTC’s, mainly in the Foxdale, Braaid and the St John’s area.'Thankfully there were no reported serious injuries. St Mark's Road also proved very treacherous due to ice as such there was heavy traffic on the Old Castletown Road.'The public’s patience and understanding is greatly appreciated in circumstances like these, closing a main arterial route is not a decision that comes lightly but public safety will always come as a priority.'All roads affected this morning have been treated by the DOI.'It could be another frosty night again tonight so drivers are urged to plan their morning journey tomorrow accordingly.

Meanwhile, ice on the runways at the airport meant no aircraft could take off or land for a time this morning.

Three flights had to circle waiting for the runways to be cleared.The flights from Liverpool, Gatwick and Manchester have now landed.

Airport director Ann Reynolds said the airport had opened on time this morning but a rain shower had come through at 9-9.15am and immediately turned to ice.

Police said two people were stopped and facing prosecution for driving on closed roads and with no insurance on the Creg-ny-Baa back road.

A roads policing unit spokesman said: 'The DoI is working hard to clear the roads with snow ploughs and gritters, but are being held up by cars trying to pass them that shouldn’t be there.

’We have heard all the excuses under the sun and it’s not going to wash. The signs are clear.’