Friday's Live blog: Sussex snow

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced that its army of traffic wardens are to take to the streets to help with the gritting effort.

Tim Cowen from NSL, Brighton and Hove’s parking contractors, said: “Our job is to keep the streets clear and the traffic flowing, which involves a lot more than just dealing with parking regulations.

“We always want to help with other ways of achieving this when we can so when our clients asked us to join the gritting operation we were delighted to do so.”

We asked our readers to come up with a giant snowman after this picture from Bolton was sent in.

The Argus wanted the title of Britain's largest snowman to come to Sussex and this gentle snow giant is certainly a contender.

Built on Scaynes Hill Common by a group of children, this picture was sent in by Debbie Martin.

That's it for today's live blog. Thank you to everyone who contributed, it was much appreciated.

4pm: Mary Mears, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, has appealed for residents to “look after each other” ahead of the freezing temperatures predicted for this weekend.

Councillor Mears said it was particularly important that people look in on vulnerable neighbours over Saturday and Sunday – when people can become isolated.

She said: “Our carers will also be out over the weekend but residents who do not usually need help can become particularly vulnerable in this severe cold.

"So I’m asking people to pull together and look after each other. That means checking in on neighbours – particularly the elderly and those with mobility problems – and making sure they are comfortable and warm.”

Coun Mears added that with further snowfalls predicted, the help of residents and businesses who “shovel, sweep, salt” outside their properties was invaluable.

2.50pm: Sgt PeterAllan, from Littlehampton, has been posting on Twiter what Sussex Police has been up to in the snow.

You can read his post here.

We're also in the process of uploading your fantastic pictures to our gallery here.

Resident Richard Lovett has sent in this picture of a Brighton and Hove Buses coach operating on the number 50 route today.

He said: "Well done Brighton and Hove Buses. Thanks for your brilliant efforts in getting the buses out to us."

1.30pm: Here is a selection of snow videos from the past three days from ourselves and our readers.

Richard Gurner's report from Brighton city centre yesterday

Reporter Tim Ridgway's video report from when the snow first fell on Tuesday.

Brighton and Hove City Council's gritting policy explained.

Sarah Lowden sent this video in of her two boys, Matthew, 10 and Taylor, 6 and Frodo the dog sliding on a frozen puddle in a field in Sompting.

Tony Toynton, West Sussex County Council's Director for Highways and Transport on whether there is enough grit to last (audio only).

12.30pm: We've already mentioned Worthing Thunder's clash is off tonight. Our sports desk have said there is practically no sporting events going on. They would like to hear from anyone who knows of any sport that is still on despite the weather.

If anyone knows of any please email sports@theargus.co.uk

Varndean College has contacted us to say they are open and are expected to open again on Monday.

Latest from Brighton and Hove City Council:

• All Housing Offices are open and providing a normal service today
• The repairs desk is operating normally but access to some blocks and homes is remains difficult. Households with heating failures will be prioritised
• Council officers are using sand and grit that we have to target pathways outside housing blocks
• The cleaning service is operating, but at a reduced level
• The Brighton Centre is open as usual tonight for Holiday on Ice
• The Visitor Information Centre (counter & contact centre) and the Royal Pavilion Shop are both open
• St Luke’s Swimming Pool hasn't been opened this morning due to staff
• The Withdean Sports Complex is closed

Libraries are as follows although people should telephone ahead to check:

• Jubilee Library – open normal hours
• Hove Library – open normal hours
• Whitehawk Library – open normal hours
• Patcham Library – open normal hours
• Portslade Library – open normal hours
• Hangleton Library – open normal hours
• Mile Oak Library – will be closed
• Moulsecoomb Library – will be closed
• Westdene Library – will be closed
• Saltdean Library – closed at the moment but may open later, please phone
• Mobile library – will not go out today due to the icy roads
• The following libraries are normally closed on a Friday: Coldean Library, Hollingbury Library, Rottingdean Library and Woodingdean Library

12pm: Well it's alright for some...

Miles Godfrey, former Argus reporter, who now lives in Sydney, Australia, sent us a picture of himself by Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday.

Although it is forecast for light rain today and tomorrow, temperatures in Sydney are still expected to reach 31C.

Meanwhile, Miles is looking forward to temperatures of 27C on Sunday and blazing hot sunshine.

Miles, who lives near Darling Harbour in the city, bragged as he told The Argus: “The weather is great out here and I’ve been spending a lot of time on Bondi beach, surfing and hanging out with friends.

“I’ve seen pictures of the snow on The Argus website and it looks lovely, but I wouldn’t swap Sydney for the snow.”

Meanwhile back in subzero Sussex, the University of Brighton has announced its School of Education and various offices will be closing at 1pm today due to hazardous conditions at Falmer campus.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Jason Kitcat has just posted this on Twitter.

“Outside of the central shopping parades most roads & pavements are still looking treacherously slippery in Regency ward. Must do better.”

11.05am: This just in from Brighton and Hove City Council:

“Brighton and Hove City Council has this morning renewed its appeal for owner drivers of 4x4s to help with community outreach work during the severe weather this weekend.

“Volunteers would be used to help with vital homecare visits to get food and medicine to service-users, as well as other transportation tasks in hard-to-reach areas. The council already has a fleet of its own four-wheel drive vehicles doing vital work – but bosses said any additional help could be put to good use.

“Insurers Zurich Municipal yesterday extended the council’s insurance policy to cover all volunteers’ vehicles and liability.

“Anyone with a vehicle and time to spare, please call Terry Clegg at the council on 01273 291043. They will be asked for contact details as well as details about their vehicle.”

We've also just heard that Worthing Thunder's home basketball clash with Plymouth Raiders tomorrow evening at Worthing Leisure Centre has been called off.

This is due to concerns over travel to and from the venue for the visitors. We have been reassured there is no snow on the court.

10am: There was plenty of traffic on the roads first thing this morning as people set off early to get into work.

There is still plenty of traffic on the roads with Marine Parade in Brighton busy but moving and the A27 near Polegate very busy.

The B2123 Falmer Road both ways is closed due to snow at Drove Road and the A2220 Worth Park Avenue in Crawley is busy because of various lane closures due to snow.

We've had reports of more than 70 cars abandoned in Coldean Lane. We are trying to get more information.

Don't forget to let us know of any developments either through the comments below or by emailing richard.gurner@theargus.co.uk

7.15am: Bus services are once again affected by the weather this morning.

• Sussex snow: public transport updates

Live blog archive

• Saturday's live blog
• Thursday's live blog
• Wednesday's live blog