Tag Archives: Snow

Emergency Meeting called with no end in sight for Big Freeze

Posted on by Yajing Wang

Public transport getting back to normal in Sheffield (image courtesy of flickr)

Weathermen have warned that there is no end to the big freeze leading the government to call an emergency weather meeting to discuss Britain’s ability to cope.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond summoned government chiefs to the meeting after weathermen forecasted low ground temperatures and a descending freezing fog which will make thawing a very slow process.

The top level discussions came when two pensioners fell and died in their gardens after spending freezing nights outside. Charities have urged the residents to check on the elderly neighbours.

Sheffield is just about getting its public transport services back to normal as there is less snowfall.

Many services from First Sheffield are continuing to operate on a modified form, with the snow restricting the services to the main roads. Around a dozen of the Stagecoach services in Sheffield are also getting back to normal.

Supertram in Sheffield are currently operating a normal 10 minute service on the Yellow (Middlewood to Meadowhall) and Blue (Halfway to Malin Bridge) routes, but Herdings Park will not be served for the foreseeable future.

Train services between Sheffield and Lincoln, Sheffield and Huddersfield, and Sheffield and York are still suspended.

For changes and disruptions to Sheffield Services see: http://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/News/Changes+and+disruptions.htm

For National Rail news see: http://www.northernrail.org/news/6549

Commuters Face Travel Chaos

Posted on by Amy Nagy

Sheffield’s commuters look set to face a difficult rush hour as many trains to and from the city are cancelled.

Worsening weather conditions mean that the region’s transport links are being severely disrupted.

Trains between Sheffield and Leeds, Manchester, Doncaster and Liverpool have all been affected by the wintery weather.

Check National Rail Enquiries for up-to-date information about your train.

Abandoned Cars at Risk

Posted on by Amy Nagy

South Yorkshire Police are asking people that are forced to abandon their cars to not leave personal belongings inside them.

Heavy snow and dangerous driving conditions have meant many drivers have had to leave their cars and finish their journeys by foot.

The warning comes after eight cars were broken into along Treeton Lane in Rotherham.  Officers are also patrolling the A57 to keep an eye on the HGV lorries that have been abandoned near South Anston.

If you must abandon your car, police advise that you leave nothing valuable in your vehicle.

Travel Update

Posted on by Amy Nagy

Train passengers are facing long delays as snow continues to cause havoc across South Yorkshire. East Coast trains are still running some services, but many lines are operating on reduced timetables.

Trains between Sheffield and Manchester, York, Liverpool and Lincoln are currently suspended.

Keep checking the National Rail Enquiries website for more detail.

Heavy snow also means that Doncaster Robin Hood Airport is closed, with hundreds of flights being grounded. The airport says that passengers should call their airlines for up to date flight information.

Some bus routes in Sheffield have been resumed this afternoon but many more are still being tested. Keep an eye on Travel South Yorkshire for new routes.

Supertram in Sheffield city centre are running a reduced service on their blue and yellow routes only.

Snow Expected in Sheffield

Posted on by Suzanne Vanhooymissen

Sheffield’s gritters are on high alert, after the Met office issued a warning about widespread snowfall.

It is the earliest widespread snow fall predicted for 17 years, and the council have already started preperations.

In response to last years criticisms for lack of preparation the council has already stockpiled 26 000 tons of rock salt. That is 10 000 more than last year.  Nine additional demounts and 5 extra gritters are put in as well.

50 Volunteers have been trained as snow wardens to step up as leaders in small communities to help clear footpaths and sideways as gritters can only cover primary and secondary roads.