Snow Update

Herefordshire Council reports that several schools will be closed today as a result of the heavy and persistent snowfall. The list at 7.00am is:

Primary
Ashfield Park
Ashperton Primary
Bredenbury Primary
Bridstow CE Primary
Broadlands Primary
Brockhampton
Burghill Primary
Burley Gate Primary
Canon Pyon Primary
Clehonger Primary
Colwall Primary
Cradley Primary
Eardisley Primary
Goodrich Primary
Kingsland CE Primary
Kingstone & Thruxton Primary
Kington Primary
Lea Primary
Leominster Infants
Leominster Junior
Llangrove Primary
Marden Primary
Much Birch Primary
Orleton Primary
Pencombe Primary
Shobdon Primary
St Joseph's RC High School
St Peters Bromyard
St. Mary's CE Primary, Fownhope
Stoke Prior Primary
Weobley Primary
Whitbourne Primary
Whitchurch Primary
Wigmore Primary

High
Fairfield
John Kyrle High open for exam candidates only
Lady Hawkins (open for A level exams)
Queen Elizabeth
St Mary's RC High
The Hereford Academy
Weobley High
Whitecross High
Wigmore High

Special
Barrs Court
Blackmarston

The council does publish gritting routes on its website and these can be viewed by visiting www.herefordshire.gov.uk and the council’s own emergency information line has been open since 6am to respond to residents’ enquiries about schools, roads and other services. The number is 0844 939 6101.

Herefordshire Council has reported that as forecast, the county has been hit by persistent snowfall overnight and this morning, with up to 6 feet drifts in some areas of high ground affecting the road network.

Gritting and snowplough teams have been battling to try to treat the A roads as a priority since 10.30 last night. The teams will tackle B roads as soon as the A roads are clear. Currently A roads are passable with care but other roads, particularly the minor and unclassified ones, are hazardous.

The council’s contractors are in Hereford High Town clearing snow in preparation for the day’s business after hand gritting the city and market town shopping areas yesterday.

During what is the worst cold spell for 30 years, the council’s contractor Amey Herefordshire is focusing on regularly gritting the 600 miles of A and B roads - but if it attempted to treat all of the 2,500 miles of minor and unclassified roads across such a large area, it would run out of rock salt very quickly. Salt has to be carefully managed at a time of national supply problems but the council traditionally is able to keep most of the county moving on primary routes during extreme weather.  

There are warnings of possible delays at Aylestone Hill in Hereford as Welsh Water begin repairs to a burst water main, the result of a thaw after freezing weather. Temporary traffic lights are installed and the repairs are expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon.