Liveblog: Snow causes disruption in Sussex (From The Argus)

Liveblog: Snow causes disruption in Sussex

7:39am Tuesday 30th November 2010 in News By Ruth Lumley

Most of Sussex woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning.

Weather experts had predicted a 40% chance of heavy snow overnight with up to 5cm falling in some places.

However, the bad weather has still managed to cause disruption with commuters facing delays as Southern announced line problems between Haywards Heath and East Croydon.

A spokesman said engineers were working as fast as possible to restore services to normal.

Passengers at Gatwick Airport were also facing delays, with short haul flights to Scotland and Northern Europe disrupted because of the snow. They have been advised to contact their airline before travelling.

Motcombe Community School, in Macmillan Drive, Eastbourne, is closed because it has no heating.

A notice on the East Sussex County Council website said the school would be closed for the day due to the repair of a mains water leak.

The Argus will keep you updated with how the snow is affecting Sussex.

School closures will be listed online as they happen and we will also be keeping people up-to-date with all the travel news on the roads, buses and railway.

Have you been affected by the snow? Leave your comments below.

You can also email your snow pictures to picture.desk@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 with the catchline SUPIC.

7.47am – The Met office has issued a weather warning which says there is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting Sussex. Strong north-easterly winds and heavy snow showers may lead to further accumulations of 2cm to 5cm and locally 5cm to 10cm. Some higher parts could see as much as 20cm. People are advised to take extra care and refer to the Highways Agency for advice on traffic disruption on motorways and trunk roads.

7.51am - Staplecross Methodist Primary School, in Staplecross, Robertsbridge, is open today. People are advised to bring wellies and only travel if they think it is safe to do so.

8.08am – The 8.22am Southern train from Ore to Brighton will now start from Eastbourne because of poor rail conditions. It will not call at Ore, Hastings, St Leonards Warrior Square, Bexhill, Collington, Cooden Beach, Normans Bay, and Pevensey and Westham.

8.15am – A serious accident on a minor road in Tidebrook, between Wadhurst and Mayfield, is blocking the road in both directions. Driving conditions are very treacherous in the area.

8.24am – There are reports of ice on Meads Road, Eastbourne, between Milnthorpe Road, Gaudick Road and Grange Road, South Street, Grove Road, making driving conditions difficult.

8.36am – Brighton and Hove City Council says the city's roads seem to have responded well to treatment and traffic is moving normally this morning. Road gritting was carried out at 7pm yesterday to top up existing salt. Weather conditions were monitored throughout the night and, with snow falling at about midnight, all gritted roads appeared to be clear showing the treatment was having an effect. A further treatment on all full routes was carried out at 3.30am using a mix of salt and grit in order to help melt and break down any snow layers.

8.38am - There are no reports of any school closures in Brighton and Hove at present. Refuse and recycling rounds should be operating as usual and workers hope to be able to access most roads.

8.51am - Primary Care Trusts across Sussex are reminding people to stay warm, stay well during cold snap and beyond.

People are being asked to think of the needs of friends, elderly relatives and neighbours who could be at risk during the freezing weather conditions. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that last year there were an estimated 25,400 excess deaths nationally, mostly linked to circulatory and respiratory diseases.

Following a few basic principles can make a big difference to the safety and well-being of those at risk. Measures such as checking on them to make sure they are safe and well, making sure they are warm enough, especially at night and stocking up on food and medicines.

Diana Grice, director of public for NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, said: “The elderly, and those who are ill, are particularly vulnerable during cold weather. “We all have a role to play in remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk especially at this time of year. “People can also take practical steps to minimise the risks to themselves during periods of cold weather.”

9.02am – Tips for staying warm during the cold weather include having regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day, eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up during winter. People should wear several light layers of warm clothes, keep as active as possible, remember to wrap up warm when going outside and keep rooms at the right temperature, between 18C and 21C.

9.03am - For those who do need medical attention, the NHS is well prepared. There is always more pressure on the NHS at this time of year and this year will be no different.

Local health services deal with rises in slips, trips and falls and increases in admissions due to flu and other health problems associated with the colder weather. The NHS in East Sussex has plans in place to handle any rise in demand for services

Diana Grice said: “Across the county, NHS staff are already working hard and doing great work to respond to this extra demand and I am very grateful for all their continued efforts. “Always dial 999 in an emergency. But if you do not have an emergency, it may be more appropriate to contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or visit your GP or local pharmacy.”

9.22am – Brighton and Hove City Council staff carried out some pre-treatment on the main city centre pavements in the Western Road and North Street and the Royal Sussex County Hospital yesterday evening. Street sweepers will be dealing with snow on pavements when out on their regular rounds.

9.35am – There are reports of very slow traffic on B2099, between Church Street, Ticehurst, near Wadhurst, and B2100 Mayfield Lane/Jonas Lane, Wadhurst, because of the snow.

9.41am – Reports of hazardous driving conditions and the A264 at Blackham being partially blocked both ways due to ice and an overturned car at Beech Green Lane, Hartfield, near Forest Row. A car is believed to have skidded on some black ice and overturned

10.56am - Most Brighton and Hove Bus services are running normally this morning. However there are some delays to services 28, 29 and 29A due to the weather conditions.

11.16am - Rotherfield Primary School , in North Street, Rotherfield, near Crowborough, is closing early because of the snow. The children are having their lunches slightly earlier and the school is phasing its closure so people can get up and down the road safely. Parents of children from M and A, plus older siblings, should start collecting their children from 12.30pm. Parents of K-S, K and T should collect their children from 12.50pm.

12.07pm – Three more schools are closing because of the adverse weather conditions. These are Mayfield Church of England Primary School, in Fletching Street, Mayfield, near Heathfield. Parents have been asked to collect their children at 12.45pm. Netherfield Church of England Primary School, Darvel Down, Battle, will close at 1pm and Robertsbridge Community College, in Knell Road, Robertsbridge, has closed. Coaches have been collecting students from Robertsbridge train station since midday. Students who travel by coach will be escorted to the station.

12.09pm - There are currently no school closures in Brighton and Hove or West Sussex.

12.14pm – Jack and Jill Playgroup in St Francis Church Hall, Priory Road, Hassocks, has closed because of the snow.

12.24pm - Blackboys Church of England Primary School, School Lane, Blackboys, near Uckfield, will be closed this afternoon because the weather and roads are deteriorating. Parents are being asked to collect their children as soon after 1pm as possible.

Broad Oak Community Primary School, in Scotsford Road, Broad Oak, Heathfield, will be closed from 1pm due to the snow. People are being asked not drive down Scotsford Road as it is very unsafe.

12.29pm - Punnetts Town Community Primary School, Battle Road, Heathfield, will close at 1pm because of heavy snow and deteriorating road conditions around the school.

12.38pm - Maynards Green Community Primary School, Maynards Green, Heathfield, will be closed at 2pm. St Mary's School, Maynards Green, Horam, Heathfield is closing and has taxis coming to collect pupils at 1.45pm.

12.58pm - Heathfield Community College, Cade Street, Old Heathfield, will be closing at 1.05pm, and High Hurstwood Church of England Primary School, in Chllies Lane, Uckfield, is closing at 1.15pm because of the continuing snow and deteriorating road conditions around the school.

1.03pm - Uckfield Community Technology College, Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, will be closing at 2pm. Buses and taxis have been called to collect students early.

1.14pm – Manor Primary School, in Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, will closing at 2pm and people are being asked to pick their children up as soon as possible. Mark Cross Church of England Primary School, Tunbridge Wells Road, Crowborough, is closing and parents are being asked to come and collect their children as soon as possible.

1.16pm - Beacon Community College, East Beeches Road, Crowborough closed at 12.30pm and Uplands Community College, Lower High Street, Wadhurst closed at 1.15pm, although lunch will be available to students if needed.

1.22pm – Reports of hazardous driving conditions due to ice and snow on A267 between A272 at Five Ashes, near Heathfield, and Fir Toll Road, Mayfield.

1.34pm - Rye College has now closed because of the bad weather.

1.54pm - Parkside Community Primary School, Beechwood Lane, Heathfield, will be closed from 2pm because of the persistent snow. Parents are advised to collect their children as soon as possible.

2.24pm - Buxted Church of England Primary School, Hurstwood Road, Buxted, Uckfield, closed at 12.30pm.

3.20pm - There are some delays to Brighton and Hove bus services 28, 29 and 29A due to the weather conditions. The snow is heavier in Uckfield and Crowborough than it is in Brighton and traffic there is slow. Brighton and Hove Buses is currently unable to serve the Whitehill district of Crowborough on service 29A.

3.33pm - Delays of up to 20 minutes have been reported on Southern trains between Three Bridges and Arundel due to adverse weather conditions.