Schools closed as snow drifts, winds and ice cause problems across Shropshire
Winds, snow drifts and ice on roads and paths are causing problems for pedestrians and motorists in Shropshire this morning.
Snow drifting across fields is causing problems for many motorists using country roads including the A49 south of Shrewsbury.
Travel News - 19:00
Due to current and forecast weather conditions, the A41 will remain closed from Tern Hill to the A519, and from the A518 south to the A5, until further notice. Traffic will be diverted along the A5 – M54 – A442 – A53 back to Tern Hill, and vice versa.
All Arriva bus services are now suspended in Shropshire (Telford/Shrewsbury/Oswestry depots) and buses will return to the depot.
Drivers urged to take extra care in snow
Highways England is urging drivers to check road conditions before setting out on journeys today.
Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, Richard Leonard, said: “Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.
“If you need to travel, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and when the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.
“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel.”
Highways England has issued its own amber alert for roads in the West Midlands and drivers should take extra care when travelling as frequent snow showers are forecast.
Nicola Maxey from the Met Office said: “It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the latest Met Office forecast and warnings for your area to ensure you’re up to date with the latest situation.
“You can do this by checking the Met Office website for the daily forecast or our warnings page, or you could download our weather app which will ensure you can keep up to date while you are out and about. With the latest weather information for your area, you will be able to prepare for what is in store and plan your activities accordingly.”
Arriva Bus Services
We have removed this out of date information.
Train Services
For the latest on Arriva Trains Wales services see - https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk
For the latest on West Midlands Railway services see - https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust has taken the decision that it will be providing community services to essential or critical and essential patients only until Monday (5 March). They will not be carrying out home visits to non-essential patients during this time.
Outpatient clinics in Community Hospitals will continue as normal unless they are cancelled by the consultant. In cases where they are cancelled, patients will be contacted in advance to let them know.
School Closures
A number of schools in the Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council areas are closed today.
For school closures in Telford and Wrekin see http://apps.telford.gov.uk/snowline/
For school closures in the Shropshire Council area visit http://shropshire.gov.uk/school-closures if the website is slow to respont try https://t.co/NSqrSyKkZ7 or see their twitter feed https://twitter.com/ShropCouncil
Telford College is closed.
North Shropshire College is closed, all campuses. Any exams are to be rescheduled for summer.
Shrewsbury College is closed today. Students sitting exams should still attend English Bridge Campus. English Bridge Campus will ONLY be open to enable these students to take exams. Otherwise, the College, at all campuses will be closed due to bad weather.
Weather Forecast
Today: Further outbreaks of sleet and snow will steadily edge northwards through the day. Remaining windy and bitterly cold for all. A high of -1C.
Tonight: A cold and windy night with further outbreaks of sleet and snow across all areas, possibly bringing further accumulations in places. A low of -5C.
Saturday: Saturday will be cold, but with the winds a little lighter. It will be cloudy with outbreaks of sleet and snow easing through the day. A high of 1C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Staying cold into the new week with often cloudy skies and further rain, sleet and snow likely at times. Winds will become lighter, with further night frost and ice.
