Schools and roads close as Storm Goretti brings heavy snow

The A49 was shut south of Shrewsbury after heavy snow left conditions hazardous.

With the arrival of Storm Goretti, the Met Office issued an amber warning from 20:00 GMT on Thursday, covering much of the Midlands and Wales.

As well as the A49 closure between Leebotwood and Little Lyth, and further south near Woofferton, other roads have also been badly affected, while rail services have been cancelled or running a reduced timetable.

About 50 schools and educational units across Shropshire have also announced they will close on Friday, with up to 20-30cm of snow expected in some places overnight.

West Midlands Railway has urged people to check before travelling.

The rail company also said emergency speed restrictions could be introduced and services might also be delayed due to icy conditions.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said from 15:00 on Friday the Craven Arms to Swansea service would be suspended.

There will also be a reduced timetable from 15:00 for TfW services between Cardiff and Crewe and on services from Shrewsbury to Holyhead, Aberystwyth, Crewe and Birmingham.

It said rail replacement services would not be able to run during the closures due to road conditions.

Adam Brooks, a highways and engineering manager for Telford and Wrekin Council said the first gritting lorries went out at 17:00 on Thursday and he expected them to then go out three or four times before the morning.

He said snow ploughs were also on standby, to be used if needed.

Shropshire Council said there would be no school transport on Friday or special education needs and disabilities (Send) school transport, even to schools which are open.

Many secondary schools in rural locations rely on coaches to bring in pupils from surrounding villages, and deliver them back at the end of the day.

Transport to adult day centres would also be suspended on Friday, the council added, along with its Connect On-Demand service in Shrewsbury and surrounding villages.

Secondary schools closing:

• Idsall School
• The Corbet School
• Mary Webb School
• Oldbury Wells School
• Lacon Childe School
• Bishops Castle Community College
• William Brookes School
• Bridgnorth Endowed School
• Thomas Adams School
• Ludlow School
• Sir John Talbot's School
• Grove School
• Lakelands Academy
• Church Stretton School

Primary schools closing:

• Worfield CE Endowed Primary School
• Brockton
• Church Preen
• Wistanstow
• Trefonen
• Lydbury North
• Bryn Offa
• Bishop's Castle Primary School
• St George's CE Academy, Clun
• Rushbury
• Woore
• Bomere Heath
• Corvedale
• Myddle
• Baschurch
• Longlands
• Tilstock
• Bishop Hooper
• St Mary's, Bucknell
• Clunbury
• Newcastle

Severndale and Esland special schools and other education units will also be closed.

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