The Roanoke County Police Department asks motorists to avoid the 7300 block of Merriman Road, an area between Cotton Hill Road and Token Road (near the Franklin County line), due to a large tree blocking the roadway. Police are blocking both ends of this section of Merriman Road and work crews are en-route to remove the tree from the road; however it may take several hours before the 7300 block of Merriman Road is reopened to traffic. A follow-up news release will be issued once the road is clear and safe for travel.