Dozens of schools stay shut as snow turns to ice

By The Editor
Jan 7, 2010

Nearly 100 schools in Bristol have remained shut today, after sub-zero temperatures overnight turned much of the previous day’s snow into ice.

Bristol City Council said it expects more schools to be open tomorrow, but is asking parents to check again in the morning for the latest information. A full list of the schools closed is available by clicking here.

As the thermometer in Bristol reached -6°C last night, gritters were out in force again on main routes through the city. A gritter has also been put on alert for emergency call-outs, for example clearing some fire station forecourts.

It is expected that the gritters will be out again tonight as icy conditions remain and the council is advising motorists that if they need to travel, that they do so with care.

While services to elderly and vulnerable people were maintained throughout yesterday and overnight, rubbish collections have been suspended again.

Residents who are due, or who have missed, a collection, are advised to leave their refuse and recycling out as normal.

Bus services meanwhile have improved since yesterday, with only a handful of services not operating as normal. First Bus said the following routes were still disrupted:

• Service 6 – Normal route but not operating via Holly Hill Road
• Service 7 – Normal route between New Cheltenham (Made For Ever PH) & Centre
• Service 9 – Normal route except not serving Clifton Christchurch stop.
• Service 20 – Normal route except not operating via Clare Avenue, Bishopston.
• Service 24/25 – Normal route except not serving Lockleaze. Commencing from Muller Road and bottom of Shaldon Road . Terminating at The Robins PH, Ashton
• Service 40 – Normal route except not using Julian Road & Druid Hill. Operating via Parry’s Lane
• Service 48 – Normal route but not operating via Beaufort Road.
• Service 54 – Normal route but not via The Coots, Stockwood
• Service 70 – Normal route inbound; but outbound operating via City Road & Ashley Hill.

The icy conditions have though closed, or partially, blocked some roads in and around the city. The M48 Old Severn Bridge is down to one lane in each direction with a 20mph limit, Constitution Hill and Trenchard Street in Bristol are closed, while Long Ashton park and ride is also shut.

On the trains, First Great Western says it expects a full service to operate from Bristol to London Paddington, Exeter, Weymouth and Cheltenham/Gloucester.

However, the line between Avonmouth and Severn Beach is shut, with services from the city terminating at Avonmouth.

Meanwhile, Bristol International Airport is still open, but the BIA website is still advising passengers to check with their airline before travelling – and are still warning of delays and cancellations.

More snow has been forecast for the city tonight, with temperatures dropping to -8°C, and yet more snow could hit the region on Sunday – leaving little respite from the Arctic conditions.

This was nothing compared to some readings on thermometers in Oxfordshire and Greater Manchester, which experienced a desperately cold night of -17°C.

Across the UK, main roads are now passable and rail services are running close to normal. But budget airline easyJet has already cancelled around 70 flights due in an out of Gatwick Airport, despite the airport’s runway being open.

British Airways said it had cancelled a number of flights and is experiencing delays due to icy conditions at Heathrow and Gatwick. Luton, Birmingham, Stansted, Cardiff and Southampton airports are open but all are advising travellers of disruption and to check with their airlines.