It's snow time. All the latest news and reaction following Friday's covering.

9:46am Saturday 19th January 2013 in News

This live event has finished

Latest

  • Worcestershire is still covered in snow and more is forecast today, we will be keeping you up to date with this live report.
  • Last night's low temperatures mean remaining snow has turned to ice and drivers are being warned to take it easy on the roads.
  • The Met Office is still issuing a yellow warning meaning be aware.
  • How are you spending the third day in the snow and do you want to see any more?
  • Join our coverage. Tweet your comments and pictures using #SnowWN, add a comment on the end of this story or text 80360 WN News. Email pictures to photo@worcesternews.co.uk.

11:37pm

That's it for today.

More updates tomorrow.

10:38pm

Honeybourne First School near Evesham has a delayed start to the day and will open at 10am to pupils to allow staff to get to school safely.  

10:15pm

10:15pm

 

9:58pm

Worcestershire school closures latest

  • Chadsgrove School & Specialist Sports College
  • Crown Meadow First School & Nursery
  • Lickey Hills Primary School
  • St Kenelm's CE Primary School
  • Suckley Primary School
  • Tardebigge CE First School

Information supplied by Worcestershire County Council

9:55pm

9:54pm

9:53pm

9:53pm

8:19pm

8:18pm

Lickley Hills Primary School shut tomorrow.

8:15pm

6:51pm

5:52pm

School closures beginning to be announced. So far the following are closed due to the snow:

Suckley Primary School

Tardebigge CE First School

We will keep you updated with closures as they are announced.

4:43pm

4:40pm

The snowing appears to have stopped now in Worcester city but freezing temperatures mean it is unlikely to thaw anytime soon. 

The Met Office is now forecasting it to return on Tuesday, but there is still the chance it could turn into sleet or rain. 

Predictions also show drops in temperature in the county to up to -8.

 

4:33pm

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4:04pm

3:28pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Maggie Would says

It's nothing to do with 'human rights,' BAC. It's to do with the cost and logistics of organising, equipping and training labour at a moment's notice.
In the good old days, people would clear the pavement outside their property. Many still do, but many can't be bothered these days. I don't recall council workers clearing snow from pavements, other than in town centres.
Also, the current weather conditions are hardly to be compared to 1963. In those days, the 'manpower' that you refer to was employed directly by local councils, usually as road workers. They would be at a loose end in snow and their shovels would be put to good use. Nowadays, road building and repairs is contracted out, so in snowy conditions there is not the spare labour to take on this work.
Just for the record, I have seen loads of gritters gritting. Dozens.

4:03pm

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2:01pm

 

1:33pm

1:32pm

11:04am Sun 20 Jan 13

BAC says

Strange to say Biggles but a lot of people don't have cars! Pavements used to be cleared! Interesting programme on tv last night showing the winter of 1963 and it showed "manpower" clearing roads, footpaths, rail lines etc! I know traffic wasn't as heavy but it was interesting to see that roads were still blocked! With so many people recieving benefits it's a pity they cannot be employed to clear the snow, bt I forgot it's against their "human rights"!

1:22pm

12:38pm

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12:31pm

11:19am

11:14am

10:55am

10:54am

10:44am

10:43am

10:40am

The snow has returned, but how much will we get? 

10:18am

10:04am

9:48am

Worcestershire County Council website currently not reporting any bus cancellations. We will let you know if this changes right here. 

9:46am

9:41am

Worcester city centre looking quiet yesterday. Are you planning on heading into town today?

9:40am

Current forecasts are predicting Worcestershire will see some more snow later today.

According to the Met Office the snow will begin around midday and continue into the night.

Temperatures are not expected to rise above -1 throughout the day.

Forecasts for Monday remain cloudy while the risk of snow for the county on Tuesday has reduced with just a few flurries expected in the morning. 

9:27am

 

9:26am

12:42am Sun 20 Jan 13

Biggles says

BAC wrote:
Yes the roads might be clear but the pavements certainly aren't!
Don't drive on them, you'll get told off !
.
I have some of those "studdy things", lidl were selling them a while back, they are mounted on a moulded rubber frame, that stretch fits over whatever footwear you've chosen.
.
Quite why you expect the pavements to be cleared for you I'm unsure.

9:25am

9:55pm Sat 19 Jan 13

BAC says

Yes the roads might be clear but the pavements certainly aren't!

9:25am

9:35pm Sat 19 Jan 13

The Doosra says

Lessons appear to have been learned from December 2010. Good job done by the council - so far!

9:25am

8:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Biggles says

In the opposing vein!
.
Just twelve hours after heavy snowfall, I'm driving around Worcester in a RWD BMW 5 series on summer tyres with no issues at all.
.
In Worcester the council lads seem to have done a striling job.

5:46pm

5:45pm

The Met Office is forecasting temperatures to drop to -2 tonight. 

Some light snow is still being forecast for the Worcester area from midday tomorrow. 

Currently Monday looks to be a cloudy but snow free day with some heavy and light snow predicted for Tuesday.

 

5:42pm

5:41pm

People enjoying the snow earlier today.

4:58pm

4:48pm Sat 19 Jan 13

BAC says

Couldn't agree more with "broadwas". Haven't seen a gritter at all this winter in Worcester! Walked to local Tescos this am, pavements and side roads uncleared! Came home put the tv on and they were at Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons, roads clear and also, more importantly so were the pavements! People actually wearing normal footwear! Why doesn't this happen here? If a small town can achieve this why does Worcester never?

4:45pm

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3:16pm

3:09pm

The Hive under a bit of snow.

3:06pm

2:13pm Sat 19 Jan 13

broadwas says

Where oh where were the gritting lorries yesterday??? Had to go to Shrub Hill to collect my wife and was forced to park in the retail park and walk - could not get up the slight incline to the station. Poor show, Worcester Council.

3:06pm

3:05pm

Snowy scenes in Worcester today. Photo taken by photographer Nick Toogood. 

3:04pm

Worcestershire County Council has said its gritters will be heading out in force again early this evening to cover designated route across Worcestershire, in an attempt to keep the county's highways safe and moving.

No further significant accumulations of snow are forecast today. But due to the wind chill, temperatures as low as -6 are expected overnight across Worcestershire. This will turn existing snow and slush into ice.

Motorists are being urged to drive with caution and never to assume it's safe to travel at normal speeds, even if they believe roads have been treated with grit.

Beyond the weekend, colder conditions look likely to persist. The longer term forecast remains uncertain but there is the possibility of further snow at times.

For the most accurate and up to date weather information, residents are advised to check the Met Office website.

Jon Fraser, County Council Highways Customer and Community Manager, said: "Our gritting crews have been working non-stop around the clock since Thursday evening to treat and re-treat around 800 miles of designated primary and secondary routes across the county. With conditions now more settled, we will be returning to our usual gritting routine for the time-being. This involves gritting designated routes during the evening while they remain treacherous.

"While light flurries of snow may take place during the rest of the weekend, possibly creating an additional few centimetres in places on Sunday, we are not anticipating any further large volumes. The main issue for us will be the effect of below freezing temperatures which, particularly with the current wind chill, will create icy conditions on roads this evening."

3:01pm

2:59pm

Worcester city centre traders reporting it has been much quieter than usual today after yesterday's snow. They are hoping to start next week with no snow. But families in town said it hasn't caused them too much trouble. Keep us up to date with your snow news by joining in this blog. 

2:05pm

 

2:03pm

Worcestershire Cricket Ground today.

1:44pm

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1:05pm

12:29pm

12:18pm

Warrior have announced this afternoon's Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Bizkaia Gernika RT will go ahead as planned with a 3pm kick-off.

Groundstaff and volunteers worked tirelessly from 5am to clear snow from the stadium complex and club officials have now decided the game will go ahead, subject to any pitch inspection by match officials.

Fans are now advised on the following for today's game:

Fans are encouraged to use the Park and Ride system from County Hall to make the trip to Sixways and allow plenty of time to make the journey. County Hall has been gritted and the Park and Ride will be in operation running the usual service for a European game.

Only those with pre-purchased car parking passes should drive to Sixways. Please park sensibly and as instructed by stewards.

Supporters using the Park and Walk are encouraged to take extra care parking along Wainwright Road and do so at their own risk. Please follow the instructions of stewards, only use those areas that have been cleared and take care when using Butterfly Walk and Offerton Lane to enter the complex.
Entrance for all spectators is via the clear designated walkways only.

Please only use those areas that have been cleared and follow the instructions of the stewards around the complex. They are here to guide you in safely and as quickly as possible. All fans are encouraged to wear sensible footwear and clothing to the game.

All spectators will be seated in the East Stand as this will be the only seating area open for today's game. Turnstiles 2, 3 and 4 are open.

The International Bar will be open to those with tickets only. The Warriors Coliseum, Scrum Club and bars under the East Stand will be open as normal.

Charlie Little, Managing Director at Warriors, said: "The decision to open the East Stand only has been made for fan safety and to ensure that the game can go ahead with fans inside the ground.

"The time it would have taken to clear the other three stands has been used to clear the walkways, roads and footpaths.

The stewards that normally operate in these three stands will be re-designated to other areas of the complex to ensure fans can gain safe access into Sixways. We have not done this before but with the dome over the pitch and the frost sheets on, the pitch was always going to be playable.

"To go to all the effort of getting the game on and then be asked to play behind closed doors was not something I wanted. Instead we have concentrated our effort on the largest 6,000 seater-stand and the access routes into the ground.

"We fully appreciate season ticket holders and match day purchasers will have bought seats in certain sections of the ground and we are now asking them to move. The tickets are categorised and therefore priced differently.

"This is a unique situation and we have made this decision with everything fully and duly considered. For example, if we kept the seats categorised and allocated in the East Stand, the staff needed in the stand to check tickets cannot be used elsewhere to ensure spectator safety."

"A section of the East Stand will be cordoned off to allow Debentures holders access to the bars on the first floor. Hospitality will run as normal.

"We've had over 60 staff, volunteers and even non-playing players working here to get the game on from 5am and, on behalf of everyone at Warriors, I would like to say a huge thank you to them all."

Warriors would like to thank supporters for their understanding and hope you enjoy the game.

12:03pm

12:02pm

12:02pm

11:53am

11:53am

11:52am

11:44am

The show is going on! Kays Theatre will be holding both the matinee and evening shows of Dick Whittington at the Swan Theatre in Worcester. They had to cancel yesterday's performance after melting snow came through the roof. It is proposed tickets will be honoured for a performance to take place on Monday, January 21, at 7.15 pm.

11:37am

11:33am

Second photo by Trevor Harker yesterday 

11:33am

 

Photo sent in by Trevor Harker yesterday

Photo sent in by Trevor Harker yesterday

11:24am

11:24am

11:24am

11:22am

Cat show due to be held at Perdiswell Leisure Centre cancelled due to the snow. 

10:54am

10:44am

The weather has halted bus services across Worcestershire. 

The following bus services are currently disrupted. All other services are operating, although with delays and extra caution given the road conditions.

377 (Malvern – Pendock – Cheltenham/Gloucester): This service will not operate today.

423 (Worcester – Alfrick / Suckley): This service is operating but will be suspended after 4pm.

559 (Evesham – Broadway): This service will not operate today.

564 / 565 (Pershore – Evesham Village Hopper): This service is operating but is omitting the following – Kington, Abbots Morton, The Lenches, Wick, Abberton and Elmley Castle estate. It is diverting between Radford and Evesham via main roads only, and omitting The Lenches entirely. The service will also be suspended after 4pm.

566 (Pershore Town Service): This service is operating, but omitting Mill Lane and Cherry Orchard estate, and the Abbey estate. The service will also be suspended after 4pm.

 

606 (Broadway – Cheltenham): This service will not operate today.

10:41am

10:41am

10:38am

10:25am

Worcester News photographer John Anyon has travelled in from Malvern this morning and says the roads are largely clear and safe to travel on but take care for icy patches. 

10:20am

10:19am

Woodrow Library in Redditch is closed today. Due to heating failure Woodrow Library will be closed today only. Staff will be working in Redditch library to support customers.

10:17am

Some bus services not running today, these so far are the 559 (#Evesham - Broadway) and the 606 (#Broadway - Cheltenham).

All other services running, some with delays.

10:09am

10:08am

Worcester Warriors will make an announcement over the Amlin Challenge Cup game at midday.

They currently have staff and around 40 volunteers working to clear the stadium and the pitch is already cleared. 

 

 

10:04am

9:59am

Temperatures are not expected to get above freezing today, according to the Met Office. 

Worcestershire is not expected to receive any more snow throughout the day but with temperatures set to stay between 0 and -1 conditions will still be dangerous on the roads. 

A warning has been issued for ice. 

More snow is forecast for Sunday afternoon and again all day Tuesday. 

9:54am

Worcestershire County Council are urging motorists making journeys to drive with caution even if they believe roads have been treated by gritting teams.

The gritting teams have been working on routes across Worcestershire around the clock since Thursday afternoon.

All 1,233 County Council grit bins in Worcestershire have been re-filled since the new-year and people are encouraged to make use of them by using salt on the highways.

To help residents pinpoint their nearest bin an interactive map is available at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/gritting, which allows users to search by postcode.

The dedicated section of the website also includes a map showing the designated routes, which are served by the 31 gritting vehicles, answers to FAQs, road safety advice and local radio station frequencies.

Over the previous seven days the crews would have covered the equivalent distance of travelling from County Hall, Worcester, to the North Pole and back.

The latest information on disruption to public transport and services, will be available on the County Council's website www.worcestershire.gov.uk.

The County Council's Twitter account, www.twitter.com/worcscc, is also on 'Gritter Twitter' mode for a fourth year to keep people up to date with what the teams are doing when freezing weather bites.

9:51am

9:51am

9:51am

 

Comments(9)

broadwas says...
2:13pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Where oh where were the gritting lorries yesterday??? Had to go to Shrub Hill to collect my wife and was forced to park in the retail park and walk - could not get up the slight incline to the station. Poor show, Worcester Council.

Report this post »

BAC says...
4:48pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Couldn't agree more with "broadwas". Haven't seen a gritter at all this winter in Worcester! Walked to local Tescos this am, pavements and side roads uncleared! Came home put the tv on and they were at Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons, roads clear and also, more importantly so were the pavements! People actually wearing normal footwear! Why doesn't this happen here? If a small town can achieve this why does Worcester never?

Report this post »

Biggles says...
8:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13

In the opposing vein!
.
Just twelve hours after heavy snowfall, I'm driving around Worcester in a RWD BMW 5 series on summer tyres with no issues at all.
.
In Worcester the council lads seem to have done a striling job.

Report this post »

The Doosra says...
9:35pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Lessons appear to have been learned from December 2010. Good job done by the council - so far!

Report this post »

BAC says...
9:55pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Yes the roads might be clear but the pavements certainly aren't!

Report this post »

Biggles says...
12:42am Sun 20 Jan 13

BAC wrote:
Yes the roads might be clear but the pavements certainly aren't!
Don't drive on them, you'll get told off !
.
I have some of those "studdy things", lidl were selling them a while back, they are mounted on a moulded rubber frame, that stretch fits over whatever footwear you've chosen.
.
Quite why you expect the pavements to be cleared for you I'm unsure.

Report this post »

BAC says...
11:04am Sun 20 Jan 13

Strange to say Biggles but a lot of people don't have cars! Pavements used to be cleared! Interesting programme on tv last night showing the winter of 1963 and it showed "manpower" clearing roads, footpaths, rail lines etc! I know traffic wasn't as heavy but it was interesting to see that roads were still blocked! With so many people recieving benefits it's a pity they cannot be employed to clear the snow, bt I forgot it's against their "human rights"!

Report this post »

Maggie Would says...
3:28pm Sun 20 Jan 13

It's nothing to do with 'human rights,' BAC. It's to do with the cost and logistics of organising, equipping and training labour at a moment's notice.
In the good old days, people would clear the pavement outside their property. Many still do, but many can't be bothered these days. I don't recall council workers clearing snow from pavements, other than in town centres.
Also, the current weather conditions are hardly to be compared to 1963. In those days, the 'manpower' that you refer to was employed directly by local councils, usually as road workers. They would be at a loose end in snow and their shovels would be put to good use. Nowadays, road building and repairs is contracted out, so in snowy conditions there is not the spare labour to take on this work.
Just for the record, I have seen loads of gritters gritting. Dozens.

Report this post »

Biggles says...
11:26pm Sun 20 Jan 13

BAC wrote:
Strange to say Biggles but a lot of people don't have cars! Pavements used to be cleared! Interesting programme on tv last night showing the winter of 1963 and it showed "manpower" clearing roads, footpaths, rail lines etc! I know traffic wasn't as heavy but it was interesting to see that roads were still blocked! With so many people recieving benefits it's a pity they cannot be employed to clear the snow, bt I forgot it's against their "human rights"!
I don't believe you, I'd say most people have cars, and that is in the plural, I can only think of one household where I live that don't have at least one, most have two or three !
.
The one that doesn't have a car is an elderly couple, where the old chap has terminal cancer, and has recently given up driving.
.
I'm in my 50's now, and I don't remember pavements being cleared, except by householders and shop owners.

Report this post »

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