Winter came back with a vengeance to Shropshire and Mid Wales today, with bitingly cold temperatures and the threat of a major snowfall tonight.

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said the region should brace itself for seven hours of snow from 7pm, with up to 6ins falling on lower ground and even more on the hills.

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The latest icy blast – after the coldest January for 13 years – began yesterday when snow showers and bitter easterly winds swept across the county.

Dozens of Sunday afternoon walkers who had strolled up The Wrekin in glorious sunshine were suddenly caught in a blizzard and they had to make their way gingerly down the hill in treacherous conditions.

Further snow showers overnight, particularly in south Shropshire, left ungritted roads treacherous this morning.  

Gritters were out and about over the weekend and today, with more than 100 tonnes of salt. All major routes remained passable with care.

Gary Rogers, Shropshire County Council’s assistant divisional surveyor, said: “Gritters will continue to treat roads throughout today and we are prepared for more snow that is expected to fall later on.”

Councillor Miles Hosken, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our gritters were out yesterday afternoon and again at 2am today.

“We put down extra salt, meaning that gritting took longer than usual. But with more snow forecast later today, our gritter crews will be out again in readiness for this.” 

Numerous schools across Shropshire – mostly in south Shropshire – as well as Powys were today closed due to the bad weather. No schools were closed in Telford.

A spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Wales today said the trains were running to the normal timetable.

But the 7.14am London Midland service from Shrewsbury to Birmingham was cancelled today. It is believed frozen doors on trains in Birmingham station were causing problems this morning.

In Mid Wales, hundreds of children were given the day off school due to the snow. Emma Savage, spokeswoman for Powys County Council said gritters had been out through the night, and snow had been heavier than expected.

Three teenagers were taken to hospital following a two-car crash on the icy Victoria Road in Shifnal at 8.50pm yesterday.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find two cars which had been in collision after one reportedly skidded on an icy patch of road. 

“A 15-year-old girl was trapped for a period and crews worked with firefighters at the scene to release her from the car. 

“The girl suffered back pain and was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board before being taken to Princess Royal Hospital. 

“A 17-year old boy suffered knee pain and an 18-year-old boy suffered whiplash and suspected broken ribs in the crash. Both were treated at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to Princess Royal Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

By Peter Johnson