Liveblog: Sussex snow day 2 (From The Argus)

Liveblog: Sussex snow day 2

7:09am Wednesday 1st December 2010 in News By Ruth Lumley

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

Click here for Sussex school closures

Click here for transport updates

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.

7am - There are currently no school closures reported in Brighton and Hove.

7.37am - Southern is running a revised timetable today following yesterday's rail chaos. There are also long delays. Click here for more transport updates

A spokesman said: “As there has been more snowfall overnight, there is a possibility that some members of train crew may have difficulty in arriving at their depots to staff trains.

“Given the on-going weather conditions, please be prepared for short notice alterations, cancellations and delays today.”

7.42am - There is some disruption to Brighton and Hove bus routes this morning. Click here for more transport updates

7.45am - A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said that due to ongoing heavy snow, the runway at Gatwick Airport remained closed to allow vital snow clearance to continue, to ensure the runway is safe for aircraft to land and take-off. Click here for more transport updates

7.55am - A severe weather warning issued by the Met Office said: “Widespread icy stretches are likely to form on untreated surfaces, especially where recent snowfall has occurred.

“Lying snow is likely to drift in places in the strong north-easterly winds. Snow showers are likely to continue at times, mainly south of London, giving further accumulations of 2cm to 5cm in places.

“The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the Highways Agency for further advice on traffic disruption on motorways and trunk roads.”

8.13am – Gatwick Airport will be closed until at least 11am.

8.15am – There is queueing traffic northbound on the A275 Lewes Road at Wych Cross because of a multi-vehicle accident on the A22 northbound. There is also congestion on the A22 High Street to Nether Lane, Nutley, between Crowborough and East Grinstead. People are abandoning their cars. Click here for more transport updates

8.26am – British Transport Police said a driver had a lucky escape when their car skidded across Barns Green level crossing, Horsham, at 5.30am just missing an oncoming train. Click here for more transport updates

8.32am - So far, Brighton and Hove has escaped the worst of the snow.

A council spokesman said main roads are still responding to treatment and traffic is moving.

However, many roads and pavements in the city are likely to be icy, so drivers and pedestrians are advised to take care.

He added: “We are encouraging residents to salt, shovel and sweep to clear pavements and paths - government advice states it is legally safe for people to clear snow themselves.

“Concentrate on steps and slopes and clear snow early in the day to let any sun melt underlying ice. Avoid piling snow in the way of roads and footpaths.”

Table salt can also be used to treat surfaces. One tablespoon will treat one square metre.

Grit and salt should be used, not hot water which can refreeze. Other tips suggest helping any older or vulnerable neighbours.

Gritters have been out every day over the past week and there is a good bed of salt on the roads.

There no reported problems with any schools in the city. Refuse, recycling and street cleaning staff will be going out and expect to complete most rounds as usual.

8.35am - Ditchling Road is closed because of ice between Coldean Lane and Ditchling Beacon.

8.43am - More Brighton and Hove bus services are now facing disruption - click here for more.

9.15am - The A272 Lewes Road, Scaynes Hill, is just passable both Ways at Church Road. Click here for more transport updates

9.17am - The Eastbourne and Hastings campuses of the University of Brighton are closed due to adverse weather conditions. All other buildings are open.

9.44am – Despite the snow Danone is filming an advert this morning on Hove seafront, near Peace Statue, complete with deckchairs and great big fan.

10.12am – Three outpatients clinics have been cancelled this morning at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards because doctors are unable to get in due to the snow.

11am - Recycling and refuse crews have now stopped collections in Brighton and Hove because of the snow and are working across the city to help with gritting the roads and pavements.

Adult Social Care Day Centres in Wayfield Avenue, Ireland Lodge, Craven Vale, and Tower House are all closed today.

The heating system, the Royal Pavilion will be closing early this week. Last admissions will be 2pm, with the building closing at 3pm.

11.32am – Road safety workshops which were meant to take place at The Forest School, Comptons Lane, Horsham, have been cancelled. Another session has been organised by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership for Thursday February 3.

11.37am - We're sure you're all wrapped up in a suitably warm fashion, but spare a thought for the gentleman spotted wearing shorts and espadrilles at Brighton Station this morning. If you know who it was, please let us know.

11.42am - The Argus Santa Bus has had to cancel its visit to the Wish area of Hove tonight because of the snow.

The bus was due to visit Princes Crescent, Aymer Road, Princes Square, Kingsway, Walsingham Road, New Church Road, Carlisle Road, Langdale Road, Langdale Gardens, Braemore Road, Berriedale Avenue, Welbeck Avenue, Amesbury Crescent, St Heliers Avenue, Coleman Avenue, Wish Road, Saxon Road, Portland Avenue, Jesmond Road, Mornington Crescent, Roman Road, Brittany Road and Rothbury Road.

Elsa Gillio, Argus Appeal co-ordinator, said:”Unfortunately we will not be coming along tonight because of the worsening weather and dangerous conditions.

“However, we will endeavour to get to all the places we have said we will before the Christmas season is over.”

12.44pm - Wealden District Council's refuse crews are unable to make collections in the north of the district and have been clearing snow in Crowborough town centre. Others were deployed in Uckfield.

12.52pm - A car lost control and skidded straight through a fence into a primary school's playing field.

The vehicle was travelling in Cuckmere Way, Brighton, but could not stop at the end and skidded across Carden Hill, Brighton, into Carden Hill Primary School, at 9.50am.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service was called but no one is believed to have been injured.

1.25pm - Hastings Borough Council said it is doing all it can to help East Sussex County Council clear the roads and footpaths in Hastings and St Leonards to make it safer for residents and visitors.

Council spokesman Kevin Boorman said: “Our street cleaning contractors Veolia and open spaces contractor Quadron are being used to help clear footpaths and pavements in the busier parts of the town.

“Bags of salt, which Hastings Borough Council has bought in especially, are also being placed at strategic locations around town. Not all side roads are clear and as a result we have suspended all recycling and waste collection.

“With poor conditions expected for the rest of this week any twin bin recycling that has been missed will now have to wait until the next recycling collection. Our contractors will take additional recycling alongside the recycling bins in carrier bags or recycling sacks but please do not use black bags as these will be assumed to be general rubbish and won't be collected.

“Residents who receive weekly rubbish and recycling collections should leave their rubbish and recycling at their normal collection point and we will return for it as soon as it is possible.

“We are also taking a sympathetic approach to those motorists who have abandoned their cars and cannot reclaim them from our car parks because of the bad weather.

“However, we do urge motorists not to leave cars parked in a dangerous position or in a way that blocks people's access.”

1.31pm - Evening classes at Sussex Downs College in Lewes, Newhaven and Eastbourne, have been cancelled tonight because of the adverse weather conditions. The college will be closing from 4pm today and will be locked at 5pm.

2pm - The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) has had 100 more calls about falls and 23 more about road crashes in the past two days compared to the same period last week.

It has called on the Red Cross , St John Ambulance and volunteers with 4x4s to help reach patients quickly and get staff to and from work in the worst affected region.

Sue Harris, SECAmb's director of operations, said: “In some areas where the snow is particularly heavy, mainly in the north of our region, it is taking us a little longer to reach patients. Our staff are working extremely hard, often going above the call of duty, to ensure we are able to help local people who call upon our service for help.

“I would like to thank patients and the public for their continued support and to our staff and other volunteers who have really gone the extra mile during very challenging times. In some areas staff have remained overnight at their station just so they can continue to provide a service to patients the following day.”

2.10pm - One half of your liveblogging team has made the journey from Hollingbury to Hanover and can report the buses seem to be coping well – although diversions are in place to avoid smaller streets.

As the schools shut early, good-natured snowball fights are breaking out across the city.

Islingword Road’s pavements have been well gritted – and I promised to publicly thank my public-spirited neighbour Pearl for sweeping the pavements in our road.

Do you know of anyone who’s gone the extra mile to help out during this cold snap?

2.14pm - Sussex Police has received calls to a number of minor incidents involving skidding vehicles coming off the road or colliding with others.

Ch Supt Paul Morrison, head of Operations for Sussex Police, said some rural routes are treacherous. He said: “I would ask anyone who is thinking of driving to seriously consider whether they need to make their journey.

“At best, your trip could be long and stressful, at worst you could find yourself involved in an incident that may or may not be of your making.”

He advised anyhone setting out to carry blankets, food, hot drink, and a spade, and make sure windows and screenwash are fully defrosted. He added: “Don't leave your car to defrost on its own - opportunist thieves aren't deterred by the weather.”

Emergency services expect to respond to all 999 calls as usual but have asked the public to ensure that their calls are genuine emergencies and from a health point of view, to contact their local GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 rather than immediately attending their local hospital.

However, if there is a genuine emergency, you should dial 999.

2.18pm - Mile Oak Library and The Booth Museum of Natural History, in Dyke Road, have closed. Portslade Library will close at 5pm.

2.40pm - More snow is forecast for any time now. The BBC is expecting heavy snow in Brighton from 3pm - and lighter snow after that through the night.

2.43pm - West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay away from areas of frozen water, as icy conditions look set to continue – even to save pet dogs.

Firefighter Neil Graham said: “A frozen lake or stream can look safe but there is really no way of knowing how thick the ice is and whether it will hold your weight.

“The advice is to simply stay clear of it. People should take extra care around the edges of waterways because a layer of snow can easily disguise thin ice underneath.”

Keep dogs on a lead and don’t throw sticks near frozen water. If your dog does get stuck, call 999.

Parents should warn children of the dangers of skating or playing on frozen water.

3pm – Southern Railways says it is planning on running an emergency timetable again tomorrow. Click here for more.

3.05pm - Finn Hopson has posted this composite picture showing how Brighton has changed from the Indian summer just a few weeks ago.

3.09pm - Southern is running a revised Sussex Coast timetable and plans to do the same tomorrow.

The challenging weather conditions look set to continue throughout tomorrow, with the East Grinstead and Uckfield area predicted to suffer particularly heavy snow falls.

Southern will continue to do everything it can to run its planned services but passengers should be prepared for short notice alterations, cancellations and delays.

The Brighton Mainline, Arun Valley and Coastway routes are open and operating albeit with some delays of up to 90 minutes.

Southern is currently unable to run to East Grinstead due to ice on the conductor rail and are not serving Redhill to Reigate although First Great Western diesel services on this route continue. There are severe delays on the Uckfield line.

Gatwick Express services are suspended until further notice following the closure of Gatwick Airport.

3.12pm - Two First Capital Connect trains an hour will run between City Thameslink, London Bridge, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport and all stations to Brighton.

3.15pm - Reports that traffic is crawling along the A27 at 15mph because the snow is freezing over making driving conditions treacherous.

Please be aware Hastings fashion show scheduled for Thursday 2, December has been postponed until Spring as a result of the current weather conditions.