Shropshire Star

Snow brings disruption

Scores of schools were closed today and roads remained treacherous while the emergency services were kept at full stretch as the weather held its icy grip on the county.

Published

Scores of schools were closed today and roads remained treacherous while the emergency services were kept at full stretch as the weather held its icy grip on the county.

In Shropshire there were 47 schools closed compared to five in the more urban Telford & Wrekin.

Telford & Wrekin Council said its gritters had been out almost continually for the last 48 hours in a bid to keep roads clear of snow and ice.

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Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for the environment, said: "With the heavy snowfall we have put down extra salt, at least double the usual amount, meaning that gritting took longer than usual. We have also been able to grit local centres in addition to the major routes."

Major routes are all passable but drivers must take care and allow extra time for journeys

West Midlands Ambulance bosses said nearly a quarter of 999 calls yesterday from Shropshire related to falls. Rob Ashford, chief operating officer, said: "Yesterday we had a steady stream of people who had slipped and hurt themselves.

"In some cases it was as simple as elderly people going out to retrieve their morning milk that became a victim of the wintry weather; some had slipped, fallen and broken the likes of a wrist or an arm.

"In other cases it was people who were out walking who missed their footing and fell injuring themselves."

A Gorge Parish Council planning meeting has been cancelled tonight because of the poor road conditions.

Last night's Lilleshall & Donnington committee meetings were postponed to February 9 due to the weather. Planning will still be at 6pm and Halls and Environment Committee at 7pm.

But an information evening tomorrow between 5.30pm and 8pm is going ahead at Telford College of Arts and Technology despite the weather. Year 11 students or those thinking of studying part-time can speak to tutors, course leaders and get careers advice.

Meanwhile, cricket fanatic Carl Jones, the Shropshire Star's assistant editor, had a nightmare journey to catch a flight from Gatwick Airport to Jamaica yesterday.

His wife Rachel had lined up the trip as a present for his 40th birthday but the big chill almost put paid to Mr Jones's dream of sitting in the Caribbean sun watching England play the West Indies in Wednesday's first test match. His plane was delayed by a couple of hours and eventually took off about lunchtime.

And Julia Parker and her husband Brett, both 60 from Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle, spent 12 hours trying to get back from Paris yesterday, a journey which usually takes two and a quarter hours.

The couple had won a weekend break to the city on Eurostar. Because of the snow they were delayed an hour, then had to pick up extra passengers at Lille whose train was not running.

Once they got to London there were no buses or tubes so they had to spend two hours queuing for a taxi.

By Lisa Rowley nextpageA snowman photographed by Daniel Thompson, aged 13, of Ketley

A snowman photographed by Daniel Thompson, aged 13, of Ketley nextpageDaniel Thompson, aged 13, of Ketley, took this picture of his garden

Daniel Thompson, aged 13, of Ketley, took this picture of his gardennextpageHere i attact my photo of my labrador Millie enjoying the snow.  Sarah Heath, of Whitchurch, sent in this picture of her pet Labrador Millie. The black dog is in complete contrast to her surroundings.

Sarah Heath, of Whitchurch, sent in this picture of her pet Labrador Millie. The black dog is in complete contrast to her surroundings.nextpageDaisybank Drive in Telford has a sunny-sounding name. It's anything but sunny in this picture by Simon Hark

Daisybank Drive in Telford has a sunny-sounding name. It's anything but sunny in this picture by Simon HarknextpageSunrise over Harnage Grange this morning, by Bob Carter, of Coundmoor

Sunrise over Harnage Grange this morning, by Bob Carter, of Coundmoor nextpageBob Carter, of Coundmoor, took this picture of a formation of thousands of starlings

Bob Carter, of Coundmoor, took this picture of a formation of thousands of starlingsnextpageIan Griffiths took his camera to the Granville Nature Reserve

Ian Griffiths took his camera to the Granville Nature ReservenextpageAnother Ian Griffiths picture taken at the Granville Nature Reserve

Another Ian Griffiths picture taken at the Granville Nature ReservenextpageMatthew Venables took this picture on the A53 between Market Drayton and Loggerheads

Matthew Venables took this picture on the A53 between Market Drayton and Loggerheads nextpageFields near Edgmond, by Matthew Venables

Fields near Edgmond, by Matthew VenablesnextpageLilleshall monument, by Matthew Venables

Lilleshall monument, by Matthew VenablesnextpageThe view from Lyth Hill looking towards Caradoc, by Dave Ward. He was on his way to work when he stopped to take this.

The view from Lyth Hill looking towards Caradoc, by Dave Ward. He was on his way to work when he stopped to take this.nextpageOne very cold duck. By Jane at Babyvision in Upton Magna.

One very cold duck. By Jane at Babyvision in Upton Magna.

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