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Schools close due to icy weather Heating oil theft closes school
(about 3 hours later)
Schools have closed in several parts of Wales and emergency services are braced for a busy day as freezing temperatures sweep across the country. A head teacher called thieves "callous" after being forced to close her primary school after its heating oil was stolen.
Pupils from more than 20 schools in Gwynedd, Conwy, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Merthyr and the Vale of Glamorgan were told to stay home. Ysgol Rhewl, near Ruthin, Denbighshire was one of 20 schools in Wales shut due to freezing temperatures.
It comes as hospitals reported a rise in patients with ice-related injuries. "The thieves have shown a blatant disregard for the pupils and staff's health and well-being," said Tania Armstrong-Owen.
In separate incidents, there were a series of road crashes in the morning in south and west Wales. There was also a spate of minor crashes on roads in south and west Wales.
SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR 6 JANUARY Carmarthenshire: Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen; Ysgol Tregib, Llandeilo; Bro Myrddin School, Carmarthen; Cross Hands Primary SchoolCeredigion: Lampeter ComprehensiveConwy: Dolgarrog Primary SchoolDenbighshire: Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and Rhos Street School, all Ruthin; Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd; Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh; Ysgol Pentrecelyn; Denbigh High School, Denbigh; Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh; St Brigids School, DenbighGwynedd: Ysgol Beddgelert, Ysgol Eifionydd, PorthmadogVale of Glamorgan: Jenner Park Primary School, BarryMerthyr Tydfil: Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr, closed to years 7, 8 and 9 SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR 6 JANUARY Carmarthenshire: Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen; Ysgol Tregib, Llandeilo; Bro Myrddin School, Carmarthen; Cross Hands Primary SchoolCeredigion: Lampeter ComprehensiveConwy: Dolgarrog Primary SchoolDenbighshire: Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn, Ysgol Rhewl and Rhos Street School, all Ruthin; Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd; Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh; Ysgol Pentrecelyn; Denbigh High School, Denbigh; Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh; St Brigids School, DenbighGwynedd: Ysgol Beddgelert, Ysgol Eifionydd, PorthmadogVale of Glamorgan: Jenner Park Primary School, BarryMerthyr Tydfil: Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr, closed to years 7, 8 and 9
Roads and schools across Wales were affected as sub-zero temperatures sweep the UK. Ms Armstrong-Owen said: "The oil is essential to heat up the school and what makes this crime even worse is the fact that we are experiencing the coldest snap of the winter so far. "
The fuel was taken from an oil tank outside the school sometime over the Christmas and New Year period but was only discovered on Monday.
As a result, the school, which has around 50 pupils, has been forced to close on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The schools affected in the cold weather were mainly in Denbigshire, Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire.
According to the Met Office, the severe conditions are set to continue for the next few days.According to the Met Office, the severe conditions are set to continue for the next few days.
The weather has led to hospitals reporting a rise in patients with ice-related injuries.
Over 140 people were treated at Wrexham's Maelor hospital in a single day, with many injuries due to falls.Over 140 people were treated at Wrexham's Maelor hospital in a single day, with many injuries due to falls.
Officials there said they had seen a large increase in the number of patients needing orthopaedic treatment.Officials there said they had seen a large increase in the number of patients needing orthopaedic treatment.
A surge in patients due to ice-related incidents was also seen in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.A surge in patients due to ice-related incidents was also seen in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Hospitals which also witnessed an increase in patients were Prince Philip in Llanelli, West Wales General in Carmarthen, Withybush in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and Bronglais in Aberystwyth.Hospitals which also witnessed an increase in patients were Prince Philip in Llanelli, West Wales General in Carmarthen, Withybush in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and Bronglais in Aberystwyth.
There were a spate of road crashes on Tuesday morning. In separate incidents, there were a series of road crashes in the morning in south and west Wales.
BELOW ZERO Aberdaron -2.4 °C Aberporth -3.1 °C Capel Curig -9.2 °CHawarden -6.3 °CLake Vyrnwy -7.0 °CMilford Haven -3.8 °C Mumbles Head -2.1 °C Pembrey Sands -4.5 °C Rhyl -5.6 °C Sennybridge -8.1 °C St Athan -5.0 °C Trawsgoed -9.3 °CValley -3.4 °C Sample temperatures, 0900 GMT on 6 January, Source: Met Office
Two people were taken to hospital after a crash between two cars and a lorry on the eastbound A48 near Maesybont, Carmarthenshire, at 0900 GMT.Two people were taken to hospital after a crash between two cars and a lorry on the eastbound A48 near Maesybont, Carmarthenshire, at 0900 GMT.
A man was also taken to hospital after a collision on Caerphilly Road, Cardiff involving two cars just before 0800 GMT.A man was also taken to hospital after a collision on Caerphilly Road, Cardiff involving two cars just before 0800 GMT.
Other incidents included crashes on the A4055 near Dinas Powys, the A468 Caerphilly road at Bassaleg, Newport and the A4119 Llantrisant Road in Danescourt, Cardiff.Other incidents included crashes on the A4055 near Dinas Powys, the A468 Caerphilly road at Bassaleg, Newport and the A4119 Llantrisant Road in Danescourt, Cardiff.
Meanwhile, Rhondda Cynon Taf council closed Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads overnight on Monday as a precaution.Meanwhile, Rhondda Cynon Taf council closed Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads overnight on Monday as a precaution.
BELOW ZERO Aberdaron -2.4 °C Aberporth -3.1 °C Capel Curig -9.2 °CHawarden -6.3 °CLake Vyrnwy -7.0 °CMilford Haven -3.8 °C Mumbles Head -2.1 °C Pembrey Sands -4.5 °C Rhyl -5.6 °C Sennybridge -8.1 °C St Athan -5.0 °C Trawsgoed -9.3 °CValley -3.4 °C Sample temperatures, 0900 GMT on 6 January, Source: Met Office Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is responsible for the Rhondda's highways and customer care, said: "We have worked to assess the impact of the conditions on the county's roads, as we always do and cannot be confident that, despite the best efforts of our staff, the mountain roads will be safe to use."
Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is responsible for the Rhondda's highways and customer care, said: "All reports received so far predict we are in for a spell of extremely cold weather, which is expected to last for at least two days. In Denbighshire, the county council warned in advance that a number of schools would be closed on Tuesday, with five of those in Ruthin.
"We have worked to assess the impact of the conditions on the county's roads, as we always do and cannot be confident that, despite the best efforts of our staff, the mountain roads will be safe to use."
In Denbighshire, the county council warned in advance that a number of schools would be closed on Tuesday, with four of those in Ruthin.
Two schools in Gwynedd, one in Ceredigion one in Conwy and another in the Vale of Glamorgan will also shut, while a school in Merthyr Tydfil will partly close because of a heating problem.Two schools in Gwynedd, one in Ceredigion one in Conwy and another in the Vale of Glamorgan will also shut, while a school in Merthyr Tydfil will partly close because of a heating problem.
Head teachers in Ruthin, held site meetings with Denbighshire council's health and safety team on Monday and decided to close Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and and Rhos Street School.
Both the playgrounds and car parks at the schools were said to be covered in ice, despite having been gritted.
Denbighshire council's corporate director of environment Iwan Prys-Jones said: "The temperature tonight [Monday] is anticipated to drop below freezing again and I would urge people to take extra precautions in any un-gritted areas and allow extra time for any journeys they may need to make."
In Powys three schools at Rhayader, Dolfor, near Newtown and Crossgates, near Llandrindod Wells, closed on Monday because of a burst pipe and heating failures. All three were expected to reopen on Tuesday.In Powys three schools at Rhayader, Dolfor, near Newtown and Crossgates, near Llandrindod Wells, closed on Monday because of a burst pipe and heating failures. All three were expected to reopen on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Birchgrove Junior School, Swansea, will be closed on Wednesday due to a heating problem except for a reception class and nursery class which will open as normal.