Warnings as Shropshire snow chaos set to continue over the weekend
Motorists face further disruption this weekend after a day of chaos in Shropshire saw drivers battling the elements as snow covered the ground – with more on the way.
An amber alert has been issued for Sunday, with 10cm of snow likely to fall across much of the Midlands, up to 15-20cm in places.
More than 70 schools shut their doors across Shropshire on Friday and motorists faced long delays as roads were closed due to a number of crashes.
Today Bridge Road in Horsehay, Telford, was closed until contractors could remove a fallen tree.
Roads in the area were causing problems for drivers, with several trees and branches succumbing to the weight of the snow.
AFC Telford United's match with York City was postponed because of waterlogging of the pitch under the frost covers.
BBC Radio Shropshire's carol service due to be held at St Chad's Church in Shrewsbury on Sunday has been cancelled due to the weather.
Drivers in Oswestry responded to a call for help from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital asking for volunteers with 4x4 vehicles to help staff get into work.
Local firefighters were among those who offered their help.
Speaking on Saturday hospital spokesman Naomi Penrose said: "We'd like to say a great big thank you to everyone who responded to our appeal for assistance in the snowy and icy weather this weekend.
"To date we've had 43 calls offering lifts to staff - and four members of staff were given a lift to work overnight Friday/Saturday by some of those generous volunteers, who included the local fire station."
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for today and an amber warning for tomorrow, which means that a spell of heavy snow is likely.
It reported an icy start to Saturday, and while most of the region will be sunny and dry through the rest of day, a few showers are possible, falling as as sleet or snow in some areas, with a maximum temperature of 4°C.
Any showers will ease this evening, with frost setting in. It will turn increasingly cloudy and windy through the night the with heavy rain, sleet or snow arriving towards the morning, and a minimum temperature of -5 °C.
On Sunday it will be windy, with rain, sleet or snow persisting through much of the day. Large accumulations of snow are likely, mainly in the north of the region, with potential for disruption, and a maximum temperature of 4°C.
Updates from Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands:
There were warnings of road, rail and air travel delays, as well as stranded vehicles and public transport cancellations.
Some rural communities face the prospect of being cut off as the snow continued to fall throughout the day.
Highways England issued a Severe Weather Alert for snow over the weekend as heavy falls were forecast for tomorrow.
The organisation said road users intending to travel through the region were advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they set off.
SEE MORE: Snowy scenes in Shropshire - in pictures
Roads in Shropshire and Mid Wales were badly affected by the conditions yesterday.
Rush-hour traffic queued on the A5 westbound between Telford and Shrewsbury during the early evening. One lane was closed after a crash near the Preston Boats island.
The A4169 between Buildwas and Much Wenlock was shut both ways after reports that numerous vehicles had become stuck.
Motorists on the A442 at Quatt experienced severe delays between Cooks Cross and Woodyard Lane. There were also long hold-ups further down the road towards Kidderminster at Shatterford Bank due to a stuck lorry.
The A41 south of Prees Heath was partially blocked after a crash at about 6pm.
Earlier in the day, a woman in her 70s was trapped in her car after it flipped and landed on its roof. Paramedics were sent to the scene in Alberbury Road, Ford, at about 10.45am. The woman suffered minor injuries.
Meanwhile, the A49 was closed in both directions between the A5 and the B4370 after a two-car crash at about 9am, with traffic being diverted. Dan Butler, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: “This was due to a number of collisions and vehicles skidding.” An ambulance assessed two women in their 40s and discharged them on the scene with minor injuries.
In another crash, a woman was taken to hospital after her car left the road on the A3480 in Wroxeter. An ambulance was called to the scene at about 8.45am and treated the woman in her 20s for chest and back pain.
Two cars were also involved in a crash in Much Wenlock at about 7.40am.
In Shrewsbury, an awning at a garden centre collapsed under the weight of the snow.
Charlies Stores, on the Arrow Point Retail Park, managed to stay open despite the incident. Duty manager Paul Ranby said: “The roof of the garden centre is a canvas awning which has ripped under the weight of all the snow that slipped down.” No one was injured.
All Arriva buses operating from the Shrewsbury and Oswestry depots were suspended at midday yesterday, with certain services continuing with restricted routes later on.
Arriva Midlands West said: “All services operating from Shrewsbury and Oswestry depots are suspended until further notice due to the weather, apologies for any inconvenience caused.”
