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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Somerset snow: Drivers abandon cars in West Somerset | Somerset snow: Drivers abandon cars in West Somerset |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hazardous driving conditions on the A39 forced about 30 motorists to abandon their cars in West Somerset overnight. | Hazardous driving conditions on the A39 forced about 30 motorists to abandon their cars in West Somerset overnight. |
| They stayed at Nether Stowey village hall and in pub accommodation but have now started retrieving their cars. | They stayed at Nether Stowey village hall and in pub accommodation but have now started retrieving their cars. |
| Overnight snow also forced 99 schools and one college to close in Somerset and one school in Bath. | |
| Areas which have been particularly affected include the Mendips and West Somerset. In the Blackdown Hills, 28cm (11in) of snow has been reported. | Areas which have been particularly affected include the Mendips and West Somerset. In the Blackdown Hills, 28cm (11in) of snow has been reported. |
| The drivers had got stuck between Bridgwater and Williton in the early hours of Wednesday. | |
| 'Community spirit' | 'Community spirit' |
| Nether Stowey village hall secretary, Wendy Hobbs, said: "I think in the end there were about 30 people that were rescued, the Ancient Mariner [pub] next door apparently took in about 10 or 12 people - they actually have holiday accommodation so some lucky people were able to stay in a bed. | Nether Stowey village hall secretary, Wendy Hobbs, said: "I think in the end there were about 30 people that were rescued, the Ancient Mariner [pub] next door apparently took in about 10 or 12 people - they actually have holiday accommodation so some lucky people were able to stay in a bed. |
| "The others were taken up to the village hall. | "The others were taken up to the village hall. |
| "Once it got to about seven o'clock, another committee member was able to take tea and coffee to them, but I understand the police brought microwaves for pies and all sorts." | "Once it got to about seven o'clock, another committee member was able to take tea and coffee to them, but I understand the police brought microwaves for pies and all sorts." |
| Police force incident manager Adam Crockford said they became aware of the stranded people at about 01:00 GMT because of snow and fallen trees. | Police force incident manager Adam Crockford said they became aware of the stranded people at about 01:00 GMT because of snow and fallen trees. |
| He said: "Officers from different districts in 4x4s were first on the scene to help. | He said: "Officers from different districts in 4x4s were first on the scene to help. |
| "We asked the local fire station to open up and serve hot drinks and spoke with the council and identified a keyholder for a nearby village hall. | |
| "It was a group effort by the emergency services and a bit of community spirit." | "It was a group effort by the emergency services and a bit of community spirit." |
| Cars were also abandoned during Tuesday night's rush hour on the A358 between Williton and Taunton and also on Bathwick Hill in Bath. | |
| Heavy snowfall also caused problems in Shepton Mallet, Wellington, Farrington Gurney and Bath. | Heavy snowfall also caused problems in Shepton Mallet, Wellington, Farrington Gurney and Bath. |
| 'Lorry jack-knifed' | 'Lorry jack-knifed' |
| Somerset County Council said 23 gritters had been treating the roads overnight. | Somerset County Council said 23 gritters had been treating the roads overnight. |
| Geoff Dight, from Somerset Highways, said: "Last night there were a few specific hills - [such as] Kilver Street [in Shepton Mallet] - which will always give problems. | Geoff Dight, from Somerset Highways, said: "Last night there were a few specific hills - [such as] Kilver Street [in Shepton Mallet] - which will always give problems. |
| "As soon as we got a lorry jack-knifed on it, it stopped us from coming through," added Mr Dight. | "As soon as we got a lorry jack-knifed on it, it stopped us from coming through," added Mr Dight. |
| He also said teams would only focus on about 20% of the main roads and about 9% of well-used link roads, known as S2 roads. | He also said teams would only focus on about 20% of the main roads and about 9% of well-used link roads, known as S2 roads. |
| "We do get criticised, but you have to remember we're quite a rural area, and it is similar to other places, like Devon and Dorset," added Mr Dight. | "We do get criticised, but you have to remember we're quite a rural area, and it is similar to other places, like Devon and Dorset," added Mr Dight. |
| Parents wishing to check school closures can look on Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset websites. | Parents wishing to check school closures can look on Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset websites. |
| Hatch Green Coaches are not running any bus services or school contracts. | Hatch Green Coaches are not running any bus services or school contracts. |
| Taunton Musgrove Hospital said appointments are going ahead as normal but patients unable to travel have been told new appointment details will be sent to them. | Taunton Musgrove Hospital said appointments are going ahead as normal but patients unable to travel have been told new appointment details will be sent to them. |
| Most of the routes run by First Bus are operating as normal. The 379 between Bristol and Shepton Mallet is back in operation after being suspended earlier. | |
| Stagecoach services have also seen delays and changes to routes. | |
| Taunton's park and ride service is running normally. | Taunton's park and ride service is running normally. |