Here we go again

WHITE WONDER: reader Michael Taylor captured this winter wonderland snap of Stockfield Road, Chadderton. It was a rare chance to see the road virtually free of traffic, thanks to deep snow and freezing temperatures which made driving conditions treacherous.

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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.