Schools closed, travel disruption and yet more snow as winter weather brings chaos
Schools shut, roads gridlocked and rail services disrupted across the Midlands - the freezing weather is wreaking havoc.
Many schools and nurseries in the Black Country and Staffordshire were closed today.
Roads were affected by the weather as gritting teams worked round-the-clock to ensure routes remained clear.
Two hospital trusts in the Black Country have also thanked 4x4 drivers who have volunteered to help bring staff into work.
Bosses at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital and Sandwell Hospital made the call yesterday after forecasts for heavy snowfall.
Latest travel news
Two multi-vehicle crashes blocked the M54 near Wolverhampton in the middle of the Friday rush hour.
The crashes happened within minutes of each other and under a mile apart, on the westbound lanes of the motorway between Junction 2 for Wolverhampton and Junction 3 for the A41 Newport.
All traffic was temporarily halted on the motorway while emergency services dealt with the accidents from around 6pm.
Meanwhile West Midlands Railways warned people to check on services before setting out saying it was a 'fast-changing picture'.
The main routes affected include the Cross City line in and out of Birmingham.
Also, there is a significantly reduced service on Cross City North between Lichfield and Birmingham.
The train operator said Birmingham's New Street Station had lost power at around 4.30pm leading to more problems.
Several bus services across the Midlands have been affected by the road conditions. For a full list of changes go to this link.
Dozens of flights due to arrive at Birmingham Airport have been cancelled today. Many of these affect flights from Scotland and Ireland.
There are also cancellations on flights from Amsterdam and Gothenburg in Sweden.
Flights departing Birmingham also face cancellations including those to Amsterdam and Brussels.
Tough driving conditions were reported on the A41 The Expressway and Newton Road up along All Saints Way in West Bromwich.
Also around the Goldthorn Hill area of Wolverhampton and Pye Green Road in Hednesford are also impassable in parts.
The M6 was blocked near Stafford on the southbound carriageway between J13 and J12 due to an accident involving a lorry.
Camp Road between Stafford to Cannock was blocked by three large fallen trees.
Minor roads and untreated routes are treacherous due to snow and ice.
Pendeford Hall Lane in Bilbrook and adjoining routes are very icy with a covering of snow.
Highways England’s head of road safety, Richard Leonard, said: “Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.
“If you need to travel, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and when the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.
“Drivers should plan their journeys and monitor weather reports.”
Meanwhile firefighters have helped rescue a dog stranded on ice on waterways off Lower City Road, in Tividale, Oldbury.
Cancelled
Wolverhampton council said all bin collections have been suspended today. Bins will be taken on your next scheduled collection date.
Sandwell Council said general waste, recycling and food waste will be collected where possible today but there will be no garden waste collections.
The council's cashiers services at Smethwick and West Bromwich today, but will be open as usual Monday weather permitting.
At Haden Hill Leisure Centre the car park is currently closed due to snow drift blocking the entrance. The gym and sauna are open as usual but the pool is closed currently.
Adult learning courses will not be running across Dudley today and the centres will not be open. More details on courses at this link
Birmingham City Centre said that it has suspended refuse, recycling and bulky collections today hitting parts of Great Barr.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is unable to transport non-priority patients to outpatient appointments today, say Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Priority patients will still be collected.
Black Country Living Museum is closed today due to the weather.
In Walsall the council postponed its Planning Committee meeting last night.
High winds in Wolverhampton city centre saw Dudley Street cordoned off yesterday while a loose shop front was removed by firefighters.
Dudley Canal trips were cancelled and planned performances of Pioneers of the Synthesiser at the Robin 2, The Absolute Truth About Absolutely Everything at The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton, and Gotta Sing at Stafford Gatehouse were called off.
The monthly Farmers’ Market will also not be taking place today in Dudley Street, Wolverhampton today.
Among the schools to remain open was Newbridge Preparatory School, in Wolverhampton. The school cancelled its ‘World Book Dress Up’ Day today and replaced it with a ‘Wrap up warm’ day.
The children have also brought in donations for the Good Shepherd Ministry in Wolverhampton for the homeless.
Latest weather forecast
Temperatures fell to a biting -3C (27F) in town and cities overnight in the West Midlands with heavy snow showers.
And it was not expected to warm during Friday morning.
The sky will lighten with sunny spells forecast but there will still be snow flurries.
Into the afternoon temperatures will barely nudge -2C (28F) although snow showers will become lighter.
WATCH: Will this severe weather ever end? Get the weekend forecast
A Met Office spokesperson said: “The weather will turn less cold over the weekend with winds easing.
“However, further snow is possible as well as spells of rain.”
