Advertisement
Here we go again
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN and KEN BENNETT
Date online: 06 January 2010
More snow heading our way
OLDHAM is bracing itself for another big freeze with more snow expected to hit the borough as temperatures plunge to -6C.
Strong winds have also been forecast meaning blizzard-like conditions will retain their icy grip.
All but four of the borough’s 116 schools were forced to close yesterday. At least 89 stayed shut today.
The council’s gritting team has been working around the clock to keep main roads and primary bus routes passable in a bid to keep Oldham moving.
A convoy of 16 JCBs, gritters and a snow blower have been attacking the problems caused by blizzards.
But many Oldhamers chose to walk to work yesterday as severe weather conditions forced them to abandon their cars.
More than 5ins of snow fell yesterday, making it as deep as the snow we had last February and the joint deepest since February, 1991.
Houses in Grasmere Road, Royton, faced a chilly night on Monday as power lines went down for 12 hours leaving elderly residents with no heat or hot water on one of the coldest nights Oldham has ever seen.
All proceedings at Manchester Crown Court were cancelled for the day and filming was suspended on the “Coronation Street” set as soapland merged with the real world.
The Met Office has predicted that conditions across Oldham will worsen towards the end of this week with snow and freezing temperatures forecast for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
Members of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team have answered a deluge of calls since bad weather set in over a week ago.
Some volunteers have worked 20-hour shifts to collect hospital-bound patients who could not be reached by ambulance.
Senior team member, Dr Andrew Taylor, a retired GP from Grasscroft, underlined the need for drivers to cut speeds in wintry weather.
He said: “Some think they are invincible and adopt a cavalier manner in these very hazardous conditions. They put themselves and others at risk by driving past “road closed” and other warning signs. They should remember if they are involved in an accident, they may find they are not paid out by insurance companies.”
The council’s First Response vehicles have been allocated to the borough’s six districts.
The vehicles, accompanied by the police, are available to the NHS where they require a four-wheel drive vehicle to access vulnerable patients.
On the buses, Oldham-based First said services were operating in most areas this morning — but untreated snow and abandoned cars made access to side roads and some estates difficult.
Calls to the Careline were running at high levels and information was updated via the First Group website.
The 59 Wren’s Nest in Shaw to Manchester service was unable to get to Rushcroft, and the 81 Waterhead to Manchester service was unable to get to Derker.
The 180 Uppermill to Manchester service was also unable to get to Greenfield.
Trains through Greenfield and Mills Hill, Chadderton, run by Northern Rail and Transpennine Express, were running but subject to delays this morning.
Northern Rail said all services into and out of Manchester were delayed by trains staff being unable to get to work or the weather.
Refuse crews are digging out and clearing snow from vital facilities including Cheapside and West Street bus stations, the Royal Oldham Hospital and New Radcliffe Street for access to the Integrated Care Centre.
Although there are no rubbish or recycling collections, residents are urged to put wheelie bins out. They will be collected as soon as possible. For the next fortnight, additional black bags will be accepted.
Temporary rubbish collection points for household waste disposal have been set up for residents in difficult-to-access areas of Saddleworth.
These are at Denshaw Community Centre, Huddersfield Road; The Sound/Huddersfield Road junction, Delph; entrance to Holy Trinity School, Dobcross; Sam Road, Diggle; Saddleworth Museum car park, Uppermill and Manchester Road, Greenfield, opposite the Clarence Hotel.
Local libraries and Lifelong Learning Centres were open as usual yesterday but closed early and all facilities run by Oldham Community Leisure shut at 3pm.
For up-to-date information on school closures, gritting services and road closures visit www.oldham.gov.uk or call the council’s Snowline on 0161-770 4421/4423. Visit www.gmpte.com or call 0871 200 2233 for updates on bus services.
Comments
Things will be worse in years to come now that Granny Brown has announced that his gnomes of Westminster are taking control of salt allocation to the regions that need it most, meaning north of Watford will be left to fend for themselves whilst the home counties get all the salt for the army to distribute.
The moment snow hits London it`s a national emergency.
And Alcock will blame Gordon Brown
The situation might not have been so bad if the Liberals hadn't been selling grit to their Liberal friends in Rochdale.
Has anyone seen an active gritter today? Not seen any around shaw and royton. Not moaning but I would have thought they would be on the main roots in preperation for tonights big freeze.
Which weather forecast is the chron using? According to the met office and the bbc we are in for a few days sunshine? (very cold though).
chaddyender of course we blame alcock! last night when he was getting his 5 mins of fame on the news he even said that their careful lack of gritting has resulted in their stocks remaining high.
yes thats great mark, but tell that to all those who have suffered either physically or financially!
lets see if counci;;or alcock will keep promises made on gmtv this morning
I just had to dig my own car out. I'm absolutley disgusted. Its been there 2 full days yet the council workmen are nowhere to be seen. I want my money back.:-)
So we might get a rest Thursday but brace yourself for Friday and the weekend - Good to see the moaners are quiet and we are thanking Oldham Council at last
Our community needs to come together. I thank all those working unsocial hours doing the gritting. But I understand that the council are refusing help offered by local farmers in Saddleworth and threatening them with legal action. Councillor Alcock needs to get his priorities right and accept these offers. There will be a debate afterwards, with the Lib Dems blaming Labour, and vice versa, but Saddleworth needs help now, not later. I don't live in Saddleworth but am part of the Oldham Community
Since the first snow fell before Christmas, I've seen one gritter around the Oldham area. In the Calderdale area, where I work, I've seen them at least a dozen times. The roads there, apart from small side streets, are clear. It's all very well having stocks of grit but we need it on the roads & in the boxes. Do OMBC not read the forecasts & prepare? I have no quarrel with the drivers, it's the management who have failed. The parking attendants have been able to get out & about I noticed!
For all the moaners on here, i live in Saddleworth and i have seen gritters every day 2 or 3 times (other times at work). I have to still dig my car out because of the ice but im not demanding my council tax back or moaning like its my right to have my car dug out. That's life, deal with it.
Over the last 3 nights whilst working for the emergency services I have seen many council vehicles with visaul amber lights indicating they are spreading grit on main roads in the Oldham area. NONE of them have been they have all been empty. Looks good for joe public watching from their bedroom window though doesn't it.
Peter I saw my first gritter on the winter - parked outside the a chippy on Lees Rd !!!
We have loads of grit in storage,course if you don`t use any you will have.
When I was a kid once the temp dropped so low the gritters would be out before the snow.Prevention is better than cure
OMBC,NOW PAY ATTENTION
MAD4IT: I've seen lots of gritters throughout the winter and the drivers are doing a great job and so are the planners. It's impossible to grit all the thousands of miles of back roads. If you'd have been out and about instead of probably lying in your bed every day you'd have also seen lots of gritters.
Get a life MAD4IT. The drivers on the gritters are working 12 hour shifts, they need to eat. Would you prefer they went back to the depot to eat, rather than a chippy meal in the vehicle? Whilst the rest of us can have a meal in the warm at work or at home these skilled drivers are working round the clock clearing 5 foot drifts to keep the A672 open
THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT TO OUR GRITTER MEN / WOMEN PLOUGHERS ETC THEY HAVE BEEN WORKIN AROUND THE CLOCK & DOIN A GREAT JOB X
I think we all, bar the odd exception, realise the lads and lasses out with the gritters are working hard and doing their best. Its just the same old story with OMBC, one comment from saddleworth says the gritters are commonplace up there.....no surprises for the rest of us then?
rjsoafc
My comments were meant as a joke but it obviously went right over your head. Of course i dont expect the council to dig my car out.
Have Your Say
More snow on the way, i suppose all the moaners will blame the council and councillor Alcock for this
By chaddyender @ 06/01/2010 13:08:02