Shropshire Star

Schools shut and homes without power as snow and ice causes more chaos

The majority of schools are closed in Shropshire while hundreds of homes were left without power this morning as the cold snap continues.

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Temperatures dropped to -5C overnight, freezing much of the snow which fell over the weekend and creating treacherous road conditions across the county.

Although most main routes have been flowing slowly but steadily, a crash on the A5 caused disruption for motorists heading towards Oswestry and some smaller roads have been closed.

Meanwhile 230 schools are closed across the county and more than 250 homes were left without power in Ironbridge due to fallen trees this morning. Many schools are expected to stay shut on Tuesday, with the snow yet to clear due to the continuing cold temperatures.

Council and utility company repair teams from Western Power Distribution have managed to restore electricity supplies after heavy snowfall caused a number of trees in the Lincoln Hill area of Telford to topple over.

Councillor Nicola Lowery, of Ironbridge, said road access to the gorge area is only through Jiggers Bank.

Several roads have been closed to traffic due to the treacherous driving conditions including Buildwas Road and Bridge Bank.

"The power has been restored now thankfully, but 250 properties lost power earlier," said councillor Lowery.

"A lot of people are wanting to work from home if they can't get out so at lease if they have electricity they can work. The conditions are quite treacherous and we have to sadly close most of the roads.

"The weight of the snow on the trees caused some to fall over. The council has been brilliant, highways sent extra ploughs and grit lorries to keep Jiggers clear."

Gritters were out overnight and most main roads were flowing this morning, including the M54 - much of which was closed on Sunday.

However drivers faced delays on the A5 after a crash closed the road near Montford Bridge.

Two women were taken to hospital after the crash, which happened at about 7.50am.

Murray MacGregor, spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "It was a two-car road traffic collision and the road was blocked on the A5 between Welshpool Roundabout and Montford Bridge.

"A 25-year-old woman driver of one of the cars had self-extricated and had left shoulder and abdominal pain.

"A 52-year-old woman, who was a front seat passenger in one of the cars, had pain in both her knees."

A fallen tree blocks the A488 between Plox Green and Hope Valley

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice until 11am, and said that lying snow from Sunday would continue to be hazard throughout the day.

Meanwhile around 230 schools are shut across Shropshire and Telford today, with many announcing the closures on Sunday.

Some health services have also been affected, with Ironbridge Medical Practice and Ludlow Minor Injuries Unit both closed.

Oswestry's Minor Injuries Unit is back open having been closed on Sunday, while community services are being provided to essential or critical patients only on Monday and Tuesday.

The cold weather has brought disruption to flights, with dozens cancelled at Heathrow, and train services are also being impacted.

Those travelling by rail are advised to check National Rail's website before they travel, while motorists have been warned to expect long delays.

Pete Williams, the RAC's road safety spokesman, said they are expecting 11,000 breakdowns on Monday, a figure which is 20% above the seasonal norm.

"I think the big thing is people are not going to leave enough time," he said.

"Journeys will take two to three times longer.

"It's going to be treacherous driving conditions."

He said low overnight temperatures could cause black ice and urged people to drive slowly, leaving plenty of space between them and the car in front.