Welcome to your local community website...
Snow causes problems across Thorpe
Adverse weather conditions across the borough forced the closure of schools and created problems for public services.
Around six inches of snow fell across Runnymede overnight on Tuesday, January 5 but although the county council said it was prepared for cold snap and had stock piled grit and salt in anticipation of further bad weather, a national shortage has lead to limited usage.
As temperatures stuggled to get above zero, some train services in the borough were closed on Wednesday and NHS trusts have urged people to stay away from accident and emergency wards for non-emergency incidents.
Many of the borough's schools have closed until further notice, many with staff unable to get in to work.
In an average winter, 6,000 tonnes of grit is spread across Surrey, yet that volume has been used over the festive period, with 4,000 tonnes being used in one week when the weather was as its worst.
SCC cabinet member for transport, councillor Ian lake, said: "We learnt lessons from last February's extreme weather and stockpiled thousands of tonnes more salt.
"However, the whole country has experienced exceptionally cold weather so far this winter so we ned to be sensible with our stock.
"We will be working extremely hard with the resources we have to make the roads as safe as possible."
A-roads and routes to A&E wards of hospitals will be prioritised in an effort to preserve stocks. In anticipation of the cold weather 9,000 tonnes of salt and grit was stockpiled but this reserves are already in need of replenishment.
Patients are being warned to stay away from A&E at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, to allow priority to life-threatening incidents and bosses at South East Coast Ambulance Service are warning people to stay indoors if they can.
As a knock on effect from the snow, South West Trains are running a limited service with some lines closed temporarily. On Wednesday morning the Virginia Water line was closed, meaning no-one was able to travel to Addlestone, Chertsey, Virginia Water, Egham, Staines and Ashford.
Surrey Fire and Rescue has also offered the use of 4x4 vehicles to get social workers to vulnerable people living in remote locations if needed.
Below is a list of schools around Egham that have closed on January 6 due to adverse weather. Visit their websites for details of re-opening times:
Manorcroft Primary School, Egham, www.manorcroft.surrey.sch.uk
St Ann's Heath Junior School, Virginia Water, St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Egham, www.stcuthberts.surrey.sch.uk
St Jude's Church Of England School, Englefield Green, www.stjudes.surrey.sch.uk
The Hythe School, Egham Hythe, www.hythe.surrey.sch.uk
The Magna Carta School, Egham Hythe, www.magnacarta.surrey.sch.uk
Thorpe Infant School, Thorpe, www.thorpe.surrey.sch.uk
Thorpe Lea Primary School, Egham, www.thorpeleaprimary.co.uk
What problems has the snow caused you? Send us all your stories via the comments button below or email your snow photos to russellbutt@trinitysouth.co.uk
We'd like to hear from you. Send your stories, pics and videos
Leave a comment