Snow day: March 12 (From The Argus)

7:09pm

Thank you for following today's live blog.

The roads are much better tonight, all Brighton and Hove buses are now running as normal and most of Sussex's schools are expected to open in the morning.

By 3pm today more than 30,000 of you had visited the site to find out about school closured, road disruptions and gritting.

Our team of reporters, photographers and editors have been working hard to tell you everything you need to know to survive the wintry weather.

See tomorrow's Argus for 16 pages of snow coverage.

6:53pm

It looks like we should be over the worst of it.

Helen Chivers, from the Met Office, has said that there will no more significant snow.

The tempratures will contniue to rise over the next few days with rain by the end of the week.

However, a yellow warning for ice is in place for tomorrow morning with dangerous driving conditions predicted for the rush hour.

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5:54pm

Here's a video of children playing in St Ann's Well Gardens in Hove courtesy of reader Charlotte Ikonen.

5:01pm

Jo Buckland took this photograph of Kipling Avenue, Woodingdean, at 4pm today. It explains why the numbe 2 bus isn't serving the road.

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4:00pm

West Sussex County Council have put out this video on its gritting and how it makes decisions.

Tell us what you think below.

3:54pm

Lovely shot of the Balcombe Viaduct from Tony Wood.

3:38pm

This just in from West Sussex County Council:

This evening's Joint Eastern Arun Area Committee (JEAAC) has been postponed.

Monique Smart, Democratic Services Officer, said: "I am looking to reschedule as soon as possible, hopefully for a date next week.  I will confirm which date as soon as I can."

3:37pm

This just in from West Sussex County Council:

This evening's Joint Eastern Arun Area Committee (JEAAC) has been postponed.

Monique Smart, Democratic Services Officer, said: "I am looking to reschedule as soon as possible, hopefully for a date next week.  I will confirm which date as soon as I can."

3:11pm

A video from Argus snapper Liz Finlayson who drove along the A259 East Dean Road.

3:06pm

West Sussex County Council driver training

Speed Awareness courses are cancelled for today and tomorrow.

3:05pm

West Sussex County Council services uodate

Children's Social Care

Customers and partners will be provided with an emergency only response.
Likely some short breaks for disabled children will be cancelled.
Arrangements are being made for children on short breaks who are due to return home today.

Fostering drop-in session

The fostering drop-in session planned to take place at Crawley Library today (Tuesday 12 March), from 10.00am to 4.00pm, has been cancelled. The next fostering drop-in session takes place on Friday 26 April, at Littlehampton Library. To find out more about fostering visit the website.

School, nursery and family centre closures

Please see the latest updates on school and nursery closures which are posted on the Emergency closures page. There are currently 242 schools reported as closed across West Sussex.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels coping and prioritising the most vulnerable. Some customers may not receive meals today but everyone will be called by the WRVS to ensure they are safe and well and have something in to eat or family or friend can call on them in those cases they cannot deliver.

Welfare Benefits Advisors

Appointments booked for today are being re-arranged.

Library Services

Hurstpierpoint Library is closed; all others are open with some running reduced services.

The following libraries will close at 4.00pm today:

Southwick
Burgess Hill
Haywards heath
Southwick library will be closed between 1.00pm until 1.30pm

Household Waste Recycling Sites

The following sites are open:

Littlehampton
Midhurst
Billingshurst
Westhampnet
Crawley
Bognor

3:05pm

West Sussex County Council Adults’ Services update:

Some disruption expected to home care visits but ensuring customers are safe and their needs met.

The Community Equipment Service will maintain service where possible with priority given to new deliveries and emergency repairs to equipment.

The Independent Living Service has suspended visits unless easily accessible.

The following Day Centres are closed:

Maidenbower Day Centre (Crawley)
Glen Vue Day Centre (East Grinstead)
Rowans Day Centre (Worthing)
Chestnuts Day Centre (Bognor Regis)
Judith Adams Centre (Chichester)
Glebelands Day Centre (Shoreham)
Henfield Day Centre
Burnside (Burgess Hill)
Coastal Enterprises (Worthing)
Coastal Workshops (Rustington)
New Tyne Day Centre (Worthing) (Residential unit open)

Customers and carers are being contacted to let them know and to check they are safe and well. Where possible, staff are being redeployed to support vulnerable customers who are living alone and unable to access the day centre. An alternative day will be offered to self-funding customers

The following Day Centres are open to customers who live locally and can make their own way in:

Laurels Day Centre
Wrenford Day Centre
The Pines
Oak Project
Strawford

All residential services are running as normal.

Customers contacting the service by telephone may be asked to call back if not urgent.

3:02pm

Updated statement from Brighton and Hove City Council Head of Highways operations Christina Liassides;

"Today’s sunshine is helping in our efforts to clear the roads, and I am pleased to report that main roads are running well and that most bus routes are passable and improving all the time. 

"Buses have been running some routes since this morning and are increasing their coverage over the day.  

"As you are probably aware, this has been a Sussex wide issue with reports of problems on many roads last night in East and West Sussex as well as with the Highway Agency which is responsible for the trunk roads (main A23, A27 and M23).

"This contributed to the traffic problems for people exiting Brighton and Hove yesterday.

"Since Saturday, we have had gritters out ploughing and salting the network, paying particular attention to the hillier areas. 

"We also sent three JCBs out to clear snowdrifts on Falmer Road, Bexhill Road and Freshfield Road by Brighton Racecourse. 

"By this morning, the gritters had covered the equivalent of 1,000 miles since Saturday and we have laid over 350 tonnes of gritting materials on the roads, going over and over routes to give them a fighting chance against the persistent snowfall.

"Cityclean have also tackled pavements in the city centre and around the hospitals this morning.

"Tonight temperatures are forecast to drop again and snow showers are predicted later in the night when there might be a risk of ice on wet roads.

"We will be carrying out several grit runs from early evening into the night, and will closely monitor the evening forecast update and weather conditions overnight."

2:51pm

This just in from Hastings Borough Council:

No collections will be made today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday).

Our contractors have been out today clearing footpaths of ice and snow in and around town, while it has been impossible to make collections.

A collection recovery plan has been proposed and will be confirmed tomorrow morning (Wednesday) pending any further changes in weather conditions.

Residents are now asked not to put their rubbish and recycling out but to wait for further advice.

2:38pm

Highways Agency update: Anybody who left their vehicle on the A23 last night, have until 11am tomorrow morning to claim their car or else they run the risk of having to pay recovery fees.

Motors should contact Sussex Police on 101 to recover their vehicles.

2:28pm

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Argus photographer Tony Wood has just got back with some lovely pictures from Mid Sussex

2:18pm

Caffcast has Tweeted this video of "snowmageddon" on the A27 last night.

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1:38pm

Photographer Sam Stephenson made this video compilation of accidents on Sussex roads this morning.

1:31pm

Brighton and Hove City Council: Roads update from Highways

• Whole of Woodingdean is passable with care.

• Snakey hill is open but there is a river of melt water running down the hill.

• Sadlescoombe snow is blowing off fields and causing drifts again.

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1:16pm

Another video for you, this time of snow at Pavilion Gardens.

1:11pm

1:01pm

East Sussex County Council's head of highways Roger Williams said the A259 should re-open before rush hour this afternoon.

It was closed yesterday between Seaford and Eastbourne at 4pm as snow drifts overwhelmed the efforts of two farmers and a gritter to keep the roads clear.

Read the full story here.

1:00pm

If you're heading to Europe, forget it. All Eurostar services are now cancelled.

12:59pm

12:57pm

Black Labrador Victor enjoys the snow on Hove Lawns this morning along.

Also pictured is mum Lisa, dad Bertie and Daughter Milly.

12:51pm

These French school children were stuck on their coach on the A23 for 10 hours last night.

Argus photographer Sam Stephenson went to try and lift their spirits (to varying degrees of success) this morning.

12:44pm

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You can see a gallery of all The Argus snow videos below.

12:35pm

12:32pm

The accident on the on A267 Little London Road has now been cleared.

The road both ways between Furnace Lane (Sharps Corner) and B2203 is now open.

12:31pm

Our web boffins have been busy processing some videos for you.

Here is the first, taken on the A259 last night.

12:27pm

Reports coming in that the A280 from Findon to Patching is now open

12:23pm

Service 1 is now operating between Whitehawk Garage and Portslade Station.

Service 2 is now operating between Shoreham High Street and Old Steine.  In Shoreham buses will operate via the High Street then over the level crossing at Eastern Avenue.  We are unable to reach Shoreham Station at the moment.

Services 5, 5A and 5B are about to start running again.  Buses are just leaving the depot now and a full service should be running by about 12.30pm.  They will all be running along their normal routes, except that the 5A cannot serve Old London Road and will operate via Winfield Avenue (the 5 route) instead.

Service 6 is now operating between Portslade Station and Brighton Station.

Service 7 is now operating normally.

Services 12 and 12A are about to start operating between Brighton and Seaford only.  The 12 will terminate at Seaford Library and the 12A will terminate at Chyngton Estate.  Buses are just leaving the depot now so most places along the route should be served by 12.30pm.

Service 14 is running between Peacehaven, Meridian Centre and Newhaven Sainsbury's.  Buses are running every half hour over this section, leaving Peacehaven at 09 and 39 minsutes past each hour and leaving Newhaven Sainsbury's at 10 and 40 minutes past each hour.

Service 25 is about to start running between Falmer and Old Steine or Palmeira Square, and a full service should be running by about 12.15pm.  Buses cannot enter either of the campuses due to many badly parked cars.

Service 27 is about to start running between Dyke Road Avenue and Saltdean, Coombe Vale.  Buses are unable to reach Westdene.  Buses should be running along the route by about 12.30pm.

Service 48 is about to start running its full route between Lower Bevendean and Brighton Station.  Buses should be out on the route by 12.30pm.

Service 49 is now running between The Avenue and Portslade Station.  We expect to be able to get to the normal terminus at East Moulsecoomb, Bolney Road, shortly.

12:20pm

Jane Griffin, of Queen's Park Road, sent this picture of an abandoned bus outside her house. She said it was one of four she could see from her doorstep.

She added: "I've never known this to happen before in 42 years of living here!"

12:20pm

12:19pm

Council officials have defended their gritting work after complaints from angry motorists.

Roger Williams, East Sussex County Council head of highways, said his staff had been working non-stop since Sunday evening.

He said: "We did everything we possibly could do, there’s nothing we would do differently.
 

"If we replay the last 36 hours, we would do the same thing again because we were doing the right things."

12:16pm

The Highways Agency has insisted everything possible was done to clear the A27 last night.

A spokesman said: "We did everything we possibly could to keep the roads open, including pulling in resources elsewhere but the sheer volume of snow and type of weather we were experiencing was quite heavy, particularly for this time of year."

For the full story click here.

12:14pm

12:12pm

Here's a useful map showing all the grit bins in Brighton and Hove: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1237395

12:10pm

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12:03pm

We have just had this through from First Capital Connect:

Heavy snow in Sussex has caused severe congestion and delays of around an hour on all our services on the Bedford to Brighton, Wimbledon and Sutton Thameslink route this morning.

This is despite bright sunshine in central London, St Albans and Bedford.

Drifts of as much as 10cm of snow formed overnight in Sussex and there were sub-zero temperatures. It has been so bad that the Red Cross has been deployed to help hundreds of motorists stuck on roads for up to 10 hours.

On the railway, Network Rail has been digging out the points that allow our trains to switch from one track to another. Between East Croydon and Three Bridges we can use only two lines instead of the normal four.

There was also a points failure at Gatwick at 07.10 that brought all our trains to a complete stand for an hour.

Trains have had to travel slower because of the treacherous conditions and to keep the snow out of essential electrical equipment.

A spokesman for First Capital Connect said: "Network Rail has been working under very trying conditions in Sussex where drifts of as much as 10cm of snow have formed and where conditions are so bad the Red Cross has been called out to rescue hundreds of stranded motorists.

"The severe congestion on this part of the route has affected services everywhere else including those in central London, St Albans and London where we have no snow and bright sunshine.

"Understandably, our passengers in the areas with no snow will find it difficult to understand why bad weather was affecting their services this morning."

11:59am

11:59am

Hats off to the binmen in Sompting this morning who completed their rounds despite the awful conditions

11:55am

Argus chief photographer Simon Dack has called in to say the A23/M23 from Brighton to the M25 is now clear.

11:54am

West Sussex County Council update: West Sussex County Council has thanked drivers for their patience after last night’s severe problems on roads across the county and the south-east.

The county’s gritting fleet were working continuously yesterday and throughout the night, as were neighbouring authorities.

But, in some areas high winds caused drifting which meant the impact of salting was greatly reduced and some drivers were caught out by sudden unexpected bands of snow across the road in front of them.

There were also several cases where gritters were unable to follow their usual routes because of abandoned vehicles, and stationary cars. 

Fallen trees were also an issue along the A283 at Stopham and Fittleworth which had to be closed

Pieter Montyn, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “It was a very difficult and frustrating night for drivers, and we fully appreciate the problems they faced.

“I want to assure people that our crews were doing all they could, but the winds and drifting have led to many incidents on the network which have had a knock on effect creating gridlock across the whole of the County and the South East which has then impacted upon gritting operations. "

“The particular problems the Highway’s Agency faced on its A23 also had a knock-on effect which quickly impacted on the whole of that heavily used corridor.

“I want to re-assure people that our gritters will be working continuously while this severe weather continues.

“Our advice in the meantime is only drive if your journey is really essential and to take great care.”

11:53am

The following Brighton and Hove bus services are now running: 1, 6, 7, 14 and 49

11:50am

Brighton Fringe box office has opened for the first time this morning in North Street.

Over 100,000 programmes have been delivered and event director Julian Caddy is handing them out.

If you can - get yourself down there.

11:41am

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11:30am

Brighton and Hove City Council update:

Since Saturday we have put down over 300 tonnes of salt on the roads (316 to date) and are still gritting. 

We have also laid down 50 tonnes of grit within a grit/salt mix on a couple of runs.

A further approx 20 tonnes has been used on pavement gritting (some part mixed salt/grit).

We have also ploughed overnight and this morning and have 3 JCBs working to clear snow drifts in Falmer Road, Bexhill Road and Pankhurst area.

Gritters were out over the weekend, yesterday and last night.

Snow ploughs were also out.

There will be more gritting today but it is still snowing which is making conditions very difficult.

Pavements in the city centre, around the hospitals, along London Road and Lewes Road were all pre-salted and will be gritted today as we can get to them.

Temperatures are forecast to remain cold for the next few days so roads and pavements maybe icy.

Please only travel if your journey is absolutely essential

The homeless shelters were open last night.

All refuse rounds are cancelled today as city clean continue with gritting operations and road clearing.

Please go to our website for info on staying warm in your home and school closures

• Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum closed.

• Booth Museum is closed.

• Hove museum open

• Visitor information centre is open as is the Royal Pavillion shop – 10 am – 2pm

• All cremations are cancelled for today, the Bear Road and Lawn Memorial and Extra Mural Cemeteries will be closed until further notice.

• Parking tickets - Parking enforcement has been suspended today due to severe weather conditions. Please try to ensure your vehicle is parked to avoid obstructions where possible.

11:22am

Hospitals across Sussex are facing some disruption because of the bad weather.

Staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath are working to keep running as normal but have issued  an urgent plea to the public for help.

For the full story click here.

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10:49am

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10:39am

10:39am

Compass buses have said: "We regret that at present no services are operating due to the road conditions."

10:38am

10:38am

Update from West Sussex County Council:

All household recycling sites apart from Midhurst and Billingshurst were shut.

Currently only library known to have shut is Hurstpierpoint because staff could not get in.

A drop-in event for potential foster carers at Crawley has also been cancelled.

Roads closed include A29 Bury Hill because of snow drifts up to 4 inches deep.

The A280 at Long Furlong is closed northbound because of snow and abandoned vehicles.

The A283 Stopham Road at Stopham is closed due to a tree down.

Comptons Lane in Horsham is closed because a tree is down.

Kennel Hill, Goodwood is closed due to abandoned vehicles.

Paddock Hall Road in Haywards Heath has been closed at the  request of police.

Council officials say that all other routes are passable with care.

10:34am

10:27am

Journalist works student Mark Williams took this video of the BHASVIC playing field in Old Shoreham Road in the snow this morning.

10:13am

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10:06am

Photos have been flooding in of the snow covering Sussex last night and this morning.

Our team is busy beavering away to get as many as possible online as soon as possible.

You can see the full gallery here.

We'll also be putting the best of the images in the live blog throughout the day.

Here's one our photographer Terry Aplin took of Grand Avenue in Hove:

10:06am

10:05am

10:02am

Moto, owners of Pease Pottage, have apologised for charging stranded motorists to park at the services last night.

Approximately 50 drivers were forced to park up for the night after road conditions along the A23.

A spokesman said: "We can only apologise unconditionally to drivers who were stranded at Pease Pottage because of the snow and were then asked to pay the £12 overnight parking fee.

"Clearly this was an error and we will be investigating how it came about.

"It is our policy not to charge drivers in these circumstances and on previous occasions we have waived charges, as we will do in this case.

A"ll drivers who paid the fee will be refunded and any parking charge notices issued will be cancelled.

"Drivers wishing to claim a refund should contact site on 01293 562852 and be able to produce their parking ticket."

9:59am

A teenager has been seriously injured following a crash last night.

The 19-year-old woman was taken to East Surrey Hospital following a collision on the M23 southbound near Maidenbower, Crawley.

For the full story click here

9:58am

More than 40 children had to stay at St Aubyns school in Rottingdean last night because their parents weren't able to collect them.

The school is closed today but children are still being looked after and awaiting collection.

9:44am

We have a lovely photo of the German students who spent last night in Hastings town hall after being stuck in the snow. Photo courtesy of Hastings Borough Council

9:41am

The heavy snow that has fallen overnight is currently causing disruption to outpatient clinics at Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

However, St Richard's Hospital in Chichester is running normally and patients should continue to attend appointments there as scheduled.

At Worthing and Southlands, patients should only attend outpatient clinics if they have been given an urgent appointment.

Routine appointments will need to be rescheduled.

The outpatients department will contact everyone affected to arrange new dates as soon as possible.

9:34am

Update from Brighton and Hove City Council.

Christina Liassides Head of Highways operations said;

“Snow continued to fall all night and as you are no doubt aware, is still falling. 

"Our gritter drivers ran their routes all night but the snow kept covering up our efforts. 

"In addition, there were gale force winds especially on the hills driving the snow into drifts.

"We have a daytime gritting shift running. 

"We also have a JCB dealing with some snow drifts on the north east side of the city.

"City Clean crews are out treating pavements in the city centre and around the hospitals.

"I appreciate the conditions are difficult however I can assure you that we have worked at the weekend, yesterday and all night, and will continue to do so."

9:22am

British Red Cross team of two Land Rovers and emergency support vehicle went to the aid of motorists on the A23 at Handcross between 1am and 6am this morning.

Drivers were said to be hugely relieved to see the support team who brought them blankets,hot drinks and chocolate bars.

Among the anxious drivers were a couple desperate to attend the birth of their granddaughter with their daughter in labour.

9:20am

The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath says if people can make it in for their appointment, then staff will be able to see them.

However it reports it has already received calls from patients who are cancelling because of the bad weather.

9:19am

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9:13am

Good advice from Sussex Police's Superintendent Trevor Botting, crime & Operations for East Sussex Division.

9:09am

Update from Brighton and Hove City Council: The Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum are closed.

If you have had to leave your car it's unlikely you'll get a penalty as the road markings are unclear.

The appeal procedure does take into considering mitigating circumstances.

9:06am

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9:04am

St. George's Neighbourhood Nursery in Kemptown Crypt Community Centre, St. George's Road, Brighton will be closed today because of snow.

9:03am

Update from brighton and Hove City Council: Due to the adverse weather conditions  all cremations are cancelled for today, the Bear Road and Lawn Memorial and Extra Mural Cemeteries will be closed until further notice.

9:03am

Latest update from East Sussex County Council: Weather conditions quite varied acropss the county with a few centimetres of snow falling overnight with more on higher ground.

A number of roads have been closed including the B2123 Falmer Road between Falmer and Woodingdean, Ditchling Beacon and the A259 in East Dean.

A snow blower is at East Dean trying to clear the snow.

1,000 tonnes of grit has been laid down overnight - almost ten times what would usually be put down on a frosty night - and 2,000 tonnes in last 24 hours.

The 24 vehicles in the gritting team are just changing drivers and will then be back out on the roads.

A council official said it is quite difficult for grit to take effect without more vehicles travelling on the roads.

Most of the local authority's 191 schools are closed or partially closed today.

8:57am

Patients due to come in for an appointment at Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards today are advised to call first and check their appointment is still going ahead.
 

Hospital bosses are aiming to continue as usual but there may be delays if staff have problems getting in.

8:53am

8:36am

Latest from Met Office

Headline:
Strong wind gradually easing. Feeling exceptionally cold. Wintry showers.

Today:
Frequent snow showers across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, although late afternoon they will become less widespread.

Elsewhere bright or sunny spells and occasional wintry showers. Feeling exceptionally cold. Gales initially along the coast, but the wind gradually decreases. Maximum Temperature 4 °C.

Tonight:
Scattered snow showers across Kent and East Sussex. Otherwise mainly dry, just isolated snow showers, with clear spells. Risk of ice on untreated surfaces, as a widespread frost occurs. Minimum Temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday:
Many places will start dry, but scattered sleet, hail and snow showers will gradually reach many places through the afternoon. Sunny spells in-between. Still feeling cold. Maximum Temperature 6 °C.

8:36am

8:35am

Around 120  students from German have spent the night in Hastings town hall after heavy snow made the roads in the town impassable.

The party of ten coaches from Senlac Tours, carrying students from Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden, arrived last night arrived.

However the bad weather meant that many local host families were unable to reach the pick up point and the students were left stranded.

Hastings Borough Council agreed to open the town hall with volunteer staff, who made tea and coffee for the teenagers.

A council spokesman said he had seen the chamber used for many things but never something on this scale.

He said the council was pleased to be able to step in and help and the students, teachers and coach drivers appreciated the help.

8:34am

Latest update from the Highways Agency: We have been working throughout the night with our partners in the emergency services and local authorities to respond to hundreds of incidents which took place in heavy snow and strong winds on our network in Kent and Sussex.

We treated our roads continually throughout the afternoon and during the night, but a large number of incidents, including heavy goods vehicles breaking down on hills caused closures at several locations.

As a result, a number of our salt spreaders and recovery vehicles then became caught in the traffic.

Strong winds, gusting at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour created snow drifts of up to a metre in height, in many cases blowing snow back onto the carriageway as soon as it had been cleared.

As part of our emergency response, we used pre-positioned heavy recovery vehicles in six locations in the south east from 6pm onwards to help blockages on the roads.

In locations where blockages were cleared, we were able to dedicate gritting crews to specific stretches of road where the weather was at its worst and to get queuing traffic moving again.

The welfare of people caught in the queues behind road traffic incidents has been paramount and traffic officers and our colleagues in the emergency services have been making contact with people to ensure their well-being.

The Met Office is forecasting heavy snow will continue during the morning of Tuesday 12 March throughout Kent and Sussex.

Our crews will continue to work throughout the day to treat the network and respond to incidents with our partners.

The advice to drivers is therefore only to make journeys if they are absolutely essential and to check road conditions and the weather forecast before they set off.

We advise that they listen to travel bulletins on the radio and take a severe weather emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade for snow.

When driving in severe winter weather, drivers should leave enough distance between vehicles to stop safely. Incidents and breakdowns can prevent our winter service vehicles from treating the roads and cause further problems.

The position on the condition of our network is constantly changing.

However at the moment we are advising traffic heading north from the Dover Ports to take the M20 London bound and avoid the A2, and traffic heading in and around West Sussex especially on the A23 and M23 are also advised to avoid the areas if possible.

We are expecting that these disruptive weather conditions are likely to continue to cause problems well into the morning rush hour.

8:32am

Sussex Police report that the A22 at Wych Cross is closed.

The A22 at Millbrook Hill, Nutley, across the Ashdown Forest is generally impassable, although 4x4s are getting through with care.

8:32am

Paul Taggart, 41 from Essex Street in Brighton, took 11 hours to travel from Leatherhead to home last night.

He had to be rescued by kindly farmers on Clayton Hill.

Read more about his ordeal in tomorrow's Argus.

8:20am

Latest from Brighton and Hove City Council: Gritters were out over the weekend, yesterday and last night.

Snow ploughs were also out.

There will be more gritting today but it is still snowing which is making conditions very difficult.

Pavements in the city centre, around the hospitals, along London Road and Lewes Road were all pre-salted and will be gritted today as we can get to them.

Temperatures are forecast to remain cold for the next few days so roads and pavements maybe icy.

Please only travel if your journey is absolutely essential

The homeless shelters were open last night.

All refuse rounds are cancelled today as city clean continue with gritting operations and road clearing.

8:13am

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Access to Music, Brighton, is closed today.

8:10am

8:08am

Telscombe Primary School is closed

8:02am

There are still no bus services operating in Brighton and Hove

8:00am

Preston Circus firefighters had a busy start to the night fielding calls of a fire at the University of Brighton, car into a building in Hollingbury and car crash on A27 but said it quitened down after that.

7:54am

Nacro training centre in Melbourne Street, Brighton, is also closed today.

7:53am

Closed today

University of Brighton

Brighton and Hove Pupil Referral Unit

The Connected Hub

7:52am

In the last 24 hours, Sussex Police have attended more than 300 collisions across the county.

No-one suffered any life threatening injuries.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas from the Road Policing Unit said: "The conditions meant there was a significant demand on our resources last night and we were stretched to capacity.

"Today is going to be about helping recover vehicles as many people fell asleep in their cars or abandoned them so even when the roads did become clearer they were still blocked by many vehicles.

"We will be assisting the Highways and other partner agencies to recover these vehicles. Although the conditions have inproved slightly, we are asking people to not make any journeys unless they are essential."

The A29 at Bury is still closed this morning.
The A23 is open and passable.

7:50am

A27 at Hollingbury, reports coming in of a build-up of traffic here right outside The Argus offices.

7:49am

A23 one of the worst affected roads in the county last night with some drivers being forced to sleep in their cars.

Latest update is that the section at Albourne is very treacherous with cars doing u-turns.

7:48am

Sussex Police advising that A22 is clossed at Wych Cross and also impassable at Nutley.

7:48am

7:37am

Brighton Institute of Modern Music is closed to today. Students are advised to check the music schools's website and Facebook page for any updates.

7:33am

All Big Lemon Bus services are currently suspended

7:31am

See the full school closure list here

Brighton and Hove

Confirmed closed

Brighton and Hove City College

Acorn Nursery, Portslade

Alternative Centre for Education

Bevendean Primary School

Blatchington Mill

Cardinal Newman

Carlton Hill Primary School

Cedar Centre

Cherry Tree Nursery

Coldean Primary School

Coombe Road Primary School

Downs Park School, Portslade

Hangleton Infants and Junior School

Hertford Infant and Nursery School

Hove Park School, both Nevill and Valley Campus sites

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School

Patcham High School

Patcham House

Patcham Infant School

Portslade Infant School

Queen's Park Primary and Nursery School

Royal Spa Nursery

Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery, Woodingdean

St Bartholomew's CE Primary School

St John the Baptist School

St Lukes

St Margaret's Rottingdean

St Mark's CE Primary School

St Mary Magdalen's

St Nicolas CE Junior School

Varndean School and Varndean College

West Blatchington Primanary School

Woodingdean Primary School

Reported closed

Downs Junior School

Stanford Junior School

Westdene Primary

BHASVIC

Hove Park

7:19am

Sussex Police urge everyone not to travel unless it is absolutely essential.

7:14am

There are delays and cancellations on all Southern Rail services today.

7:07am

7:07am

Varndean School and Blatchington Mill School are both closed today

7:06am

The full school closure list is being updated throughout the morning here.

7:05am

6:56am

More official school closures in Brighton and Hove

Dorothy Stringer

Brighton and Hove City College

Varndean College will open at morning break to allow time to clear snow from pathways.

6:52am

More official school closures in Brighton and Hove

Bevendean Primary School

Coldean Primary School

Our Lady of Lourdes

Catholic Primary School

Patcham High School

St Bartholomew's CE Primary School

St Margaret's Rottingdean

West Blatchington Primanary School

See The Argus school closure listings here.

6:47am

6:47am

Closed in Brighton and Hove

St Mark's CE Primary School

Cardinal Newman

Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery, Woodingdean

Queen's Park Primary

6:42am

School closures announced across Brighton and Hove and East and West Sussex due to snow overnight

East Sussex Schools

Confirmed partly closed today

Chyngton School, Seaford will open at 10.15am to allow staff and pupils to travel safely. Any further decision will be made by 8am.

Hailsham Community College Academy Trust students should arrive no earlier than 10.30am. Any update will be notified by 9am.

Peacehaven Community School will open at 10.30am to ensure student and staff safety.

Peacehaven Heights Primary School will open at 10.30am.

Seaford Head School open from 10.10am.

The Bishop Bell Church Of England School, Eastbourne, school starts at 9.45am as period 1 is cancelled.

Uckfield Community Technology College to start at 11.20am for all year groups.

White House Primary School, Hailsham will not open until 10.30.

Confirmed closed today

Alfriston School All Saints C of E Primary School, Bexhill

Beckley Church of England Primary School

Bexhill High School

Bodiam Church of England Primary School, Robertsbridge

Brede Primary School, Broad Oak

Catsfield Church of England Primary School

Chailey School, South Chailey

Claverham Community College, Battle

Danehill Church of England Primary School

Dudley Infant School, Hastings

Etchingham Church of England Primary School

Frant Church of England Primary School

Grovelands Community School, Hailsham

Guestling-Bradshaw Church of England Primary

Hazel Court Special School, Eastbourne

Helenswood School, St Leonards-on-sea

Icklesham Church of England Primary School

Langney Primary School

Little Common School, Bexhill-on-Sea

Little Ridge Community Primary School, St Leonards-on-Sea

Mayfield Church of England Primary School

Mountfield & Whatlington Church of England Primary School

Netherfield Church of England Primary School

New Horizons School, St Leonards-on-sea

Northiam Church of England Primary School Peasmarsh

Church of England Primary School

Robertsbridge Community College

Rye College

Rye Community Primary School

Sandown Primary School, Hastings

Seaford Primary School

Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School

Silverdale Primary School, St Leonards-on-sea

St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, Bexhill-On-Sea

St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Playden

St Thomas' Church of England Primary School, Winchelsea

Staplecross Methodist Primary School, Robertsbridge

The Causeway School, Eastbourne

The Hastings Academy

The St Leonards Academy, St Leonards-on-sea

Tideway School, Newhaven

West Rise Community Infant School, Eastbourne

West Rise Junior School, Eastbourne

West St Leonards Community Primary School, St Leonards-on-Sea

Westfield School William Parker Sports College, Hastings .

See the latest news headlines from The Argus:

6:28am

The entire length of the A23 is hazardous due to snow and ice, as is the M23.

6:27am

6:24am

6:20am

No Brighton and Hove Bus services are operating this morning due to the snowy conditions.

6:18am

Snow is still falling in central Brighton.

6:17am

Putting together the schools list. Cardinal Newman in Hove is closed today.

6:16am

The A23 at Burgess Hill is gridlocked at Handcross Hill northbound and moving slowly southbound.

6:15am

Traffic travelling southbound on the A23 at Pyecombe is currently moving slowly.

6:13am