Sunday's Live blog

9pm: Emergency services have reported no serious incidents related to the weather.

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8pm: West Sussex County Council has said secondary schools were working hard to make sure that GCSE and A levels could take place this week.

Headteachers were checking with teachers and support staff, who live closest to schools, about their availability to invigilate.

Some schools may have to get permission to change the times of exams, so parents are being urged to keep in close contact with their schools via their websites and answerphone service.

If students cannot attend an exam they will need to re-sit in June or, if it is a final module, a grade can be awarded based on previous results.

At St Paul's College, Burgess Hill, a parent commandeered a tractor to clear snow from the access road.

5pm: Dozens of hospital staff had coastguards to thank for getting into work.

Coastguard all terrain vehicles shuttled consultants and other essential medical staff trapped at home to hospitals.

They have also transported patients home from the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, after wards became overloaded.

Essential blood supplies were also delivered to Findon and Newhaven using coastguard 4x4s.

3.10pm: University students are set for a temporary reprieve from exams and assessment deadlines thanks to the heavy snow.

The University of Sussex has postponed for a week planned examinations for tomorrow and a decision on exams due for later in the week will also be reviewed.

Students will also get an extra week for assessments due in tomorrow.

2.15pm: Services at Worthing Crematorium are scheduled to go ahead as normal tomorrow if the weather does not deteriorate.

Worthing Borough Council has said the crematorium will reopen after it was closed on Saturday and today for the removal of dangerous tree branches.

The council has also said launch of the 2010 Worthing Visitor Guide, due to take place on Tuesday at The Dome, has been postponed because of the cold weather.

1.25pm: Hardware stores have reported a roaring trade over the last few days as people sought ways to cope.

Steve Booty, manager of Robert Dyas in Western Road, Hove, said: “We have practically sold out of everything that is related to the weather.

“Our heating section is going crazy, we're selling out of fan heaters and radiators as fast as we can order them in.

“We sold out of spades during the last cold spell but we've had dozens of people coming in and asking for spades.”

Charlie Lewis, sales assistant at Bedford Hardware in St George's Road, Brighton, said: “Our spades are selling really well, we are pretty much completely sold out.”

12.50pm: Brighton and Hove City Council has said its workers are continuing to try and clear major roads with refuse staff diverted to help the cause.

A spokesman for the local authority also said that volunteer 4x4 drivers are being used to support its social care service and that more drivers were needed.

People wanting to volunteer can call 01273 290463.

The spokesman added: “Residents – particularly elderly and vulnerable people – are strongly advised to stay at home today, rather than venture out onto slippery pavements today, unless they need to make essential journeys.

“Elderly and vulnerable people should call the council’s adult social care helpline on 01273 295555 if they are having problems getting the services they require

.”

11.45am: Stagecoach buses report they are operating a normal Sunday service. Let us know if you are having any problems travelling with them.

Also, Gatwick Airport is open for business but bosses are advising that passengers check with their airline for further infomation. Delays are expected.

11.15am: Brighton and Hove Buses has issued the following on its website.

“Due to the adverse road conditions, many roads across the city and beyond are still treacherous and we are still unable to serve a number of routes

“Once again Southern have agreed that Saver bus tickets can be used on trains within our area today, so if you live somewhere that buses can't yet reach but can get to a railway station and have a Saver ticket you will be able to use the train.

“We sincerely apologise for the continuing inconvenience; we have teams constantly out checking roads and will reinstate more services as conditions allow.

“We are operating a limited service today as follows:

  • 1 - Operating from Arundel Road (Whitehawk) to Mile Oak via normal route and timetable except via Boundary Road, A259 and Trafalgar Road in both directions instead of St Andrews Road. From the Old Village, all buses are operating a one-way loop via Mile Oak Road, Chalky Road and Valley Road back to the Old Village. We are unable to serve Graham Avenue and Thornill Rise.
  • 2 - Operating Shoreham to Old Steine on normal route and timetable except via Carlton Terrace instead of Olive Road in Portslade.
  • 2A - Operating normal route and timetable from Old Steine to Bramber Castle (except via Carlton Terrace in Portslade instead of Olive Road). From Bramber Castle, buses are operating via the A283 and entering Steyning from the north and terminating at the Clock Tower before operating normally back to Brighton. We are unable to serve Shootingfield.
  • 5/5A - Operating from Old Shoreham Road/Hangleton Road (Texaco Garage), then via Court Farm Road to Black Lion (A23).
  • 5B - Operating from Old Shoreham Road/Hangleton Road (Texaco Garage), then via Court Farm Road to Black Lion (A23) then via the A27 bypass to Hollingbury ASDA, returning via Carden Avenue towards Hangleton.
  • 6 - Operating normally from Brighton Station to Sainsburys, but direct via the Hangleton Link Road in both directions as we are unable to serve Downs Park or Foredown Drive.
  • 7 - Operating normal route and timetable.
  • 12 - Operating from Brighton to Seaford Library but not serving Lower Place in Newhaven.
  • 14 - Operating from Brighton Station to Peacehaven Meridian Centre but not via North Peacehaven.
  • 25 - Operating normally from Palmeira Square to Falmer Station (unable to serve either University campus).
  • 26 - Operating a one-way loop from Palmeira Square to Fiveways along normal route up Ditchling Road, then via Preston Drove and London Road back to the city centre.
  • 27 - Operating Dyke Road Avenue/A27 roundabout to Saltdean Lido.
  • 28 - Operating Brighton to Lewes Tesco via the Cuilfail Tunnel, as we are unable to serve Lewes High Street/Town Centre.
  • 46 - Operating normal route and timetable from the Open Market to Southwick Square.
  • 49/49A - Operating from Portslade Station to The Avenue/Lewes Road.
  • 50 - Operating from Brighton Station to Upper Hollingdean Road, turning via the Lewes Road Gyratory back to Upper Hollingdean Road to return to Brighton Station.
  • 57 - Operating Brighton Station to Saltdean Lido (not serving Ovingdean or Kemp Town, direct via Eastern Road).

10.15am:Last night's snowfall was lighter than expected and conditions have improved on major roads as temperatures have begun to rise. However disruption to public transport has continued.

Met Office has forecast there will be no more snow in Brighton and Hove today, contrary to earlier predictions, and temperatures will stay around 0C. Elsewhere in Sussex, light snow has been forecast.

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