Gritters and ploughs prepared as more snow forecast

Gritters and snow ploughs will be out and about throughout the night in the wake of the forecasted wintry weather.

Latest predictions suggest there will be further snowfall across the county this evening and during the night with the south of the area expecting the worst.Gritters and ploughs will target all primary routes across the county to try and make them as safe as possible.

Snow arrived earlier than expected this morning prompting gritters and ploughs to get out and about throughout the afternoon. It affected services during the day with many schools, libraries and day centres forced to close.

Some schools have already announced they will remain closed tomorrow (Wednesday) due to the conditions. The decision on closing schools is made by the individual headteachers and they will decide whether to open tomorrow either later today or first thing in the morning.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (aged 0-11 years), said: "With regard to school closures the advice to parents is to tune in to the local radio, contact the school itself or visit the County Council's website - http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/ - where a list of those schools forced to close is being updated regularly.

"The decision to close a school is taken by the headteacher if they feel conditions are unsafe as the welfare of pupils and parents, who may have to pick their children up at the end of the day, has to be prioritised."

The County Council's Day Centres will remain closed tomorrow while library managers are also responsible for deciding whether to open after many closed early today (Tuesday). Residents are urged to check the County Council website for updates on services affected. The website will be updated regularly until 8pm tonight and from 7am tomorrow morning.

Residents are also being asked to use caution when they are out and about and pull together to help one another, especially the elderly. Also, advice is to listen to local radio stations or again visit the council's website for regular updates on weather conditions and road closures.

Although all roads were open by late afternoon today, travel problems are likely to result from slow moving and congested traffic and motorists are being advised to only make journeys which are unavoidable. If journeys are essential the County Council is issuing the following advice:

Maintenance checks

Before you set off on your journey, do you have:

• Anti-freeze in your cooling system?
• Screen wash additive in your windscreen washers?
• At least 1.6mm depth of tread and the correct air pressures in your tyres?
• Clean lenses on your headlights?
• Properly working heaters and demisters?

Making journeys

Planning your journey is vitally important in adverse conditions. Taking the following steps before you leave could prevent problems out on the roads:

• Ask yourself if your journey is necessary - if the answer is no, or not sure, then don’t go!
• Check the local weather forecast.
• Check the driving conditions on your route with your local radio station
• Take extra equipment with you, eg. mobile phone, spade, towrope, torch, flask, warm and highly visible clothing and spare pieces of old carpet to place under your wheels for traction in case you get stuck in snow
• Make sure someone at your destination is expecting you at a certain time.

Adjust your driving to the conditions

Driving on ice or snow needs extra care:

• Use dipped headlights and drive more slowly than usual
• Allow up to ten times your normal stopping distance
• Keep your distance from vehicles ahead of you
• To avoid skidding, brake very gently or ease off the accelerator early
• If you have to abandon your vehicle try not to block the road; snow-ploughs, gritters and emergency vehicles may need to come past.
• Keep windscreens clean.

The Worcestershire HUB has set up its Snowline – 01905 765765 - which will be open from 6.30am tomorrow where residents can get further information on road closures, affected services and gritting.