WARRINGTON was brought to a near standstill with heavy snow blanketing the town and surrounding areas with all schools being forced to close tomorrow, Wednesday.
Many shops failed to open in the town centre and Golden Square was closed for safety reasons.
The town’s bus service operated as best it could but all services have now been suspended, although a few buses are still trying to operate from the main terminal to help stranded passengers.
Warrington Borough Transport’s Operations Director Charlie Shannon said: “It is no longer safe to operate a service and effectively all buses have now been suspended. We will review the situation in the morning.”
The borough council warned residents to take care on side roads and footpaths in the icy weather as they prioritised gritting the major routes into town.
But there was widespread criticism of the authority for its lack of preparedness – and claims that even major roads had not been gritted.
A gritter was busy on the A56 at Lymm – but only around 8.30am by which time the snow was about six inches deep.
For a time the road was closed because of a heavy lorry and other vehicles getting stuck on the slope near Lymm Dam. Matters were complicated when a tree came down under the weight of snow in Whitbarrow Road, Lymm.
Estimates of the depth of snow across the borough varied from two inches to almost a foot – and thousands of people were late for work or were unable to get through at all.
Residents travelling by car, bus or by foot were advised by the council to take extra care and look out for black ice, as the major roads would be gritted first and compacted snow may have turned to ice on lesser routes.
All council social care transport, street services and refuse collections have been cancelled.
Coun Alan Litton, executive member for environment and transport at the council said: “The wintry conditions we have been experiencing both locally and nationally are unprecedented.
“We haven’t experienced a prolonged period of cold weather like this in a very long time. We have however got grit supplies for the next few days and stock on order.”
“In times like this it is also important that we all take the time check on vulnerable and elderly neighbours and relatives to ensure that they are warm and have enough supplies for the next few days.”
A number of schools have been forced to close because staff have not been able to get through with many already announcing they will remain closed tomorrow, (Wednesday).
Many businesses in the town centre including major stores and banks have also been unable to open as staff have been unable to get in to work.
Police have so far reported no major accidents due to snow.
A spokeswoman said: “We would advise people only to travel if absolutely necessary.”
Meanwhile Warrington Hospital is advising people with non-urgent appointments not to travel.
A spokesman for the hospital said: “We’re advising patients not to travel for any non-urgent appointments today. As well as the risk in travelling to patients, many of our staff are also struggling to get to work, so some non-essential clinics will not take place today and will be re-arranged as soon as possible. We are contacting patients where possible to advise them, but if you have any queries, please call the number on your appointment letter.
“If you do need to come to the hospitals today we would urge people to use public transport where at all possible. Finally, we’d urge everyone to be extra careful in the icy conditions. Particularly, keep an eye out for elderly relatives in these conditions and make sure they are not taking unnecessary trips out that could result in slips and falls.”
All schools in Warrington will be closed tomorrow.
Priestley College ris closed today and will do so through tomorrow as well.
All staff and students are being directed to http://www.priestley.ac.uk/ for all the latest info.
Snow covered berries on the Manchester Ship Canal
A festive scene in Appleton
The Bridgewater Canal at Lymm
The Manchester Ship Canal, Stockton Heath
The warrington-worldwide print works
Lymm Dam
Other pictures show the snow scenes in Lymm on the A56, Appleton at night, Warrington bus depot and Bridgefoot.
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9 Comments
Unprecedented??? Someone tell him it is winter and should be planned for.
This is the worst winter I have known for a good long while – stay in, sit back and enjoy from in front of the fire that’s what I say!
Wonderful snow scene of Appleton at night, that’s got to be a contender for a 2010
Christmas card?
Thanks Mike – just around the corner from where I live!
Just enjoy it, it’s pretty and exciting, but hope everybody is safe and have enough supplies! It’s a proper winter, let’s hope for a proper summer to follow when we win the World Cup!
Just clicked on the snow scenes of Warrington…Stunning!
Warrington in its winter coat of glory!
Typical of Warrington councii. Completley inadequate as always. The snow was expected, forecast for several days and arrived exactly when forecast. Main Manchester Road from the M6 into town was a complete disgrace. Obviously not gritted as there was frozen snow under fresh by mid-morning.
When will these morons get the message that they are public servants and start to show some responsibility.
It’s as well they’re in public office because no-one would ever employ them!
South of the country are preparing for the snowfall and icy conditions. Blame Central Goverment they are the ones forcing most non labour authorties to cut back. on expenditure. Maintaining highways and byways should be the responsibility of central goverment. Costs to the NHS with the increased flux of in and out patients will cost more than what it would have costif every road in the country had been gritted or residents had access to grit bins..
I’ve not heard from any goverment minister nor any local MPs about the national emergency we are now experiencing, where are they and what excuse will they make? no doubt they will attack non labour councils for poor planning. People have died and many suffered horrific injuries all because of severe weather conditions which were forcast, while most other european countries can manage without any major problems.
This is the worst winter I have known.Wonderful snow scene of Appleton at night