Forums Forums Local News Heavy snowfall causing problems in Wirral

A SUDDEN heavy snowfall has caused problems across Wirral today.

Throughout the borough, slush-filled roads meant traffic was moving at a snail's pace.

Merseytravel said many buses were delayed due to the frozen condition of side roads.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport was forced to close due to heavy snow and ice and several flights had to be cancelled.

Across the county, 15 schools closed for the day, including South Wirral High School in Eastham.

A Merseytravel spokesman said: “Bus services across the whole of Merseyside were affected, including some in Wirral, because the ice on some roads was so bad.

“Both the Birkenhead Queensway and Wallasey Kingsway Tunnels were gritted at 4am on Tuesday morning, so traffic was able to move without any problems.”

There were no problems on the ferries and no reports of any incidents from the Coastguard.

Motorists were being advised to avoid making unnecessary journeys during the icy weather and if they must make a journey, to drive with caution.

Inspector Mark Williamson was advising people to avoid travelling by car unless absolutely necessary, and if they do take to the roads, to drive with extreme care.

He said: "There is still sheet ice on a lot of our roads which is not visible to drivers so I would urge people to drive more carefully today, wherever they are going, and to be more mindful of the other cars around them and the road conditions.

"Drivers should leave plenty of room between them and the car in front, drive slower than they normally would, and use their gears to slow down where possible rather than their brakes."

Wirral Council reassured motorists it has 350 tonnes of grit left even after having 'lent' Liverpool City Council 30 tonnes when the city’s own supplies ran out.

The Met Office forecasts that locally, the next two days should be clear, although more snow will be falling across Merseyside by the end of the week.

The South is expected to see the worst of the weather as heavy winter showers move across England and Wales.

North West Ambulance Service declared a major incident in which 999 calls are "stringently prioritised" due to the big freeze affecting the region, mainly in the Greater Manchester area.

THE GLOBE

Merseytravel snow update


1:38pm Tuesday 5th January 2010


Travel update: A Merseytravel spokesman said: "Mersey Tunnels are running fine.

"Mersey Ferries are operating a triangular service between the three terminals - no cruises. We are keeping a close eye on visibility with the snow and potential fog.

"The Merseyrail Electrics network is largely unaffected at present."

More later...

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what a joke.... back in Idaho they would still be playing golf.

any news on the buses?

yeah the Birkenhead Bus Depot is closed due to heavy snow and ice.

Bus Depot or Bus Station? Another thread says Station? 2 separate places

no it's the station for some reason i keep calling it depot.

My son is due home from school Wallasey school to Wallasey I'm worried

apparantly the buses have just been cancelled but i cannot confirm it.

There's been something blowing it's hooter loads down on the river this afternoon

My neighbour works out of the garage at Prenton and has just gone off as usual to start his shift

A bit of snow and we go into melt down lol! just got told to pick me lad up from school as it is shut for the rest of the day and 2moz dew to snow.

Ooh he's just come home again!!! Maybe he should have rung
or checked on Wiki

Travel update: Police warn Wirral's M53 is down to 20mph in both directions
3:02pm Tuesday 5th January 2010

Merseyside Police has issued a warning about driving conditions on the M53 in Wirral.

The motorway runs the length of the Wirral and traffic is said to be down to 20mph in both directions, with visibility very poor.

Traffic is heavy on the Cheshire bound lanes, although still normal heading towards Liverpool at the moment.

Traffic officers have described conditions as very poor.

THE GLOBE

Travel update: Gridlock at Woodchurch Road



There are long delays and queueing traffic on Woodchurch Road between B5151 Storeton Road and M53 Junction 3 at Woodchurch as vehicles struggle to get up the hill.

THE GLOBE