Traffic 'gridlock' as snow falls

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Police in south Wales have urged motorists not to travel after snowfall caused severe traffic problems around the M4 and other major routes.

Some motorists were reporting being stuck at junctions around Cardiff for more than two hours on Tuesday evening.

Snow started falling in Pembrokeshire at lunchtime, and moved eastwards within a couple of hours.

Bus services were suspended in Swansea and Pembrokeshire in the evening, and curtailed in neighbouring counties.

Roads around the A470 interchange were said to be gridlocked, while traffic cameras showed long tailbacks up the road towards the valleys.

Drivers in Caerphilly reported stationary traffic and some in Chepstow reported roads were becoming impassable earlier in the evening.

In Ceredigion, a number of roads were closed, including the Pisgah to Trisant Junction stretch of the A4120 and the A486 between Ffostrasol and Synod Inn.

Only the A475 trunk road and class one 'A' routes are being gritted in the south of the county at present.

Several roads in north Pembrokeshire were closed following particularly heavy snowfall around Crymych, Fishguard, Newgale and St Davids.

The snow is forecast to move north and continue falling until Wednesday morning.

Between 5-10cm (2-4in) of snow is forecast from Tuesday evening in south, mid and east Wales, with more possible on higher ground and valley areas.

About 100 schools across south and west Wales have already reported closures for Wednesday.

<a class="inlineText" href="/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8454379.stm">School closures in Wales on Wednesday</a>

Around 40 schools in Wales were partially or fully closed on Tuesday, but exams for GCSE and A-level pupils were guaranteed to go ahead.

Evening classes were cancelled in Bridgend and Swansea colleges and the Bridgend Designer Outlet closed early.

Councils across Wales have had to resort to ration salt for road gritting as the freeze continues.

In Powys, salt depots had to increase security to prevent people helping themselves to supplies.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said extra gritting salt was expected to arrive by the end of the week.

BBC weather forecaster Derek Brockway said the snowfall should ease on Wednesday with milder weather likely for the weekend.

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