This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7868643.stm
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Salt running out as schools shut | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| As icy weather continues to grip Wales, one local authority has announced all its schools will be closed on Thursday. | |
| Powys council said expected heavy snow overnight had prompted it to shut its 120 primary, secondary and special schools "to remove any uncertainty". | Powys council said expected heavy snow overnight had prompted it to shut its 120 primary, secondary and special schools "to remove any uncertainty". |
| More than 200 schools across Wales were closed on Wednesday, following nearly 550 on Tuesday and 150 on Monday. | More than 200 schools across Wales were closed on Wednesday, following nearly 550 on Tuesday and 150 on Monday. |
| One local authority, Ceredigion, has also said its supplier of road salt has no more available to fill its stock. | One local authority, Ceredigion, has also said its supplier of road salt has no more available to fill its stock. |
| In a statement the council said: "The contractor responsible for supplying Ceredigion County Council with stocks of salt for gritting roads has informed Ceredigion - and, it is understood, other Highways Authorities with salt orders outstanding - that it actually has no salt available." | In a statement the council said: "The contractor responsible for supplying Ceredigion County Council with stocks of salt for gritting roads has informed Ceredigion - and, it is understood, other Highways Authorities with salt orders outstanding - that it actually has no salt available." |
| It said that expected deliveries had earlier been confirmed in the week, but it has been told that the supplier was unable to clarify when additional salt stocks would be made available. | It said that expected deliveries had earlier been confirmed in the week, but it has been told that the supplier was unable to clarify when additional salt stocks would be made available. |
| It said it was using "discretion in the treatment of secondary routes in order to protect salt stocks, in the medium term, for use on primary routes". | It said it was using "discretion in the treatment of secondary routes in order to protect salt stocks, in the medium term, for use on primary routes". |
| It added: "Because of the immediate weather forecast and the prospect of continuing below zero temperatures, Ceredigion County Council has now taken the decision to preserve salt stocks for use on primary and trunk routes and to react on secondary or other routes in a way which minimises salt use." | It added: "Because of the immediate weather forecast and the prospect of continuing below zero temperatures, Ceredigion County Council has now taken the decision to preserve salt stocks for use on primary and trunk routes and to react on secondary or other routes in a way which minimises salt use." |
| The Met Office has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow will fall overnight. | The Met Office has predicted up to 10cm (4in) of snow will fall overnight. |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf council cancelled all home-to-school transport in the borough on Wednesday and has said it will do the same on Thursday but said the decision to close schools rested with head teachers. | Rhondda Cynon Taf council cancelled all home-to-school transport in the borough on Wednesday and has said it will do the same on Thursday but said the decision to close schools rested with head teachers. |
| Have Your SayLike most teachers, I did not come into the profession for long holidays and to be paid to do nothing. I would much rather be in school making a difference to childrens' lives.Simon, Dudley | Have Your SayLike most teachers, I did not come into the profession for long holidays and to be paid to do nothing. I would much rather be in school making a difference to childrens' lives.Simon, Dudley |
| Powys council said it had weather advice forecasting further significant snowfall across the county overnight. | Powys council said it had weather advice forecasting further significant snowfall across the county overnight. |
| It said that, following the forecast, every school in Powys would be closed on Thursday. | It said that, following the forecast, every school in Powys would be closed on Thursday. |
| Council spokesman Douglas Wilson said: "Decision such as these are not taken lightly. We have taken this decision following the latest weather advice and to remove any uncertainty." | Council spokesman Douglas Wilson said: "Decision such as these are not taken lightly. We have taken this decision following the latest weather advice and to remove any uncertainty." |
| The council said schools were expected to re-open on Friday but that decision would be made on Thursday afternoon. | The council said schools were expected to re-open on Friday but that decision would be made on Thursday afternoon. |
| Meanwhile, there have been warnings for motorists to take care on the roads on Wednesday because of icy conditions. | Meanwhile, there have been warnings for motorists to take care on the roads on Wednesday because of icy conditions. |
| The A4061 Bwlch road and the Rhigos road were both closed and the Maerdy mountain road was only passable with extreme care, South Wales Police said on Wednesday morning. | The A4061 Bwlch road and the Rhigos road were both closed and the Maerdy mountain road was only passable with extreme care, South Wales Police said on Wednesday morning. |
| Many rural roads across south and west Wales were impassable because of ice. | Many rural roads across south and west Wales were impassable because of ice. |
| The NUT Cymru said on Tuesday head teachers had had to pay attention to severe weather conditions when deciding to shut their schools and had "little choice" to act otherwise. | The NUT Cymru said on Tuesday head teachers had had to pay attention to severe weather conditions when deciding to shut their schools and had "little choice" to act otherwise. |
| Travel reporters said traffic levels on Tuesday had been down to Sunday levels as many people stayed at home because of road conditions or difficulties with childcare. | Travel reporters said traffic levels on Tuesday had been down to Sunday levels as many people stayed at home because of road conditions or difficulties with childcare. |
| Emergency services and councils loaned 4x4 vehicles and drivers to hospitals in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend on Tuesday to ensure workers cut off by snow or hit by public transport cancellations were able to get to work. | Emergency services and councils loaned 4x4 vehicles and drivers to hospitals in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend on Tuesday to ensure workers cut off by snow or hit by public transport cancellations were able to get to work. |
| The Met Office has issued an early warning of more sleet and snow for Wednesday night and Thursday, with south-east Wales and Powys expected to see most of the snow. | The Met Office has issued an early warning of more sleet and snow for Wednesday night and Thursday, with south-east Wales and Powys expected to see most of the snow. |
| There could be about 2 - 5cm (0.8 - 2.5in) in general, with 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4in) likely in places and 20 - 30 cm (8 - 12in) possible over higher ground with bigger drifts. | There could be about 2 - 5cm (0.8 - 2.5in) in general, with 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4in) likely in places and 20 - 30 cm (8 - 12in) possible over higher ground with bigger drifts. |
| Rugby fans | Rugby fans |
| On Friday, light snow in the south and east is expected to move away, and it is likely to brighten up with sunshine and a few wintry showers. | On Friday, light snow in the south and east is expected to move away, and it is likely to brighten up with sunshine and a few wintry showers. |
| Met Office forecaster Derek Brockway advised any rugby fans planning to travel to Scotland for Wales' opening Six Nations game on Sunday to allow extra time for the journey. | Met Office forecaster Derek Brockway advised any rugby fans planning to travel to Scotland for Wales' opening Six Nations game on Sunday to allow extra time for the journey. |
| He said it should be dry and bright for the match at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon, but there was a risk of snow there by Sunday evening. | He said it should be dry and bright for the match at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon, but there was a risk of snow there by Sunday evening. |