Schools shut Wednesday

Due to adverse weather conditions hundreds of local children will enjoy another day of extended holiday as schools will remain shut tomorrow.

Alderley Edge, Mottram and Nether Alderley Primary schools have all confirmed they will remain closed on Wednesday along with Wilmslow High School. Both The Ryleys and Alderley Edge School for Girls were not due to open until Thursday anyway.

The closures extended beyond local schools as the North West experiences it's worst weather conditions for 30 years with heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Wilmslow Leisure Centre remained shut today, Tatton Park was closed to all vehicles and Manchester Airport didn't open until 1pm.

The M60 was also closed this afternoon as a result of a fatal crash involving two lorries, and the North West Ambulance Service, Deputy Chief Executive Bob Williams commented;

“Due to the severe weather conditions currently being experienced across the region, the North West Ambulance Service has declared a major incident. This is due to the fact, particularly in Greater Manchester, we are unlikely to be able to reach patients with minor injuries or symptoms. We are having to stringently prioritise all of our 999 calls and despatch our resources to life-threatening cases only. We would like to stress the urgency for people to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary."

All available gritting vehicles were out again this evening salting priority routes, equipped with snow ploughs to deal with areas which have experienced heavy snowfall, and several teams were also out this evening salting footpaths by hand.

However widespread icy roads and pavements are forecast for Wednesday so the message from Cheshire East Council remains the same "we would urge anyone who intends to make a journey by foot or car to do so only if absolutely necessary."

The authority are also appealing to residents to look out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours to ensure they remain safe during the cold spell.

Winter weather updates will be the placed in the forum and to keep up to date with the latest weather forecast from the Met Office visit our weather section which is currently showing sunny intervals and clear skies for Wednesday. 

Please do share any weather related news by using the comment box below and email your winter photos to [email protected].

Photograph of Moss Road has been kindly supplied by Jon Williams.