Third-time unlucky as snow strikes back

Photo: Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

A FAMILIAR sight . . . in Lower Edge Avenue this morning

IT was back to work in the snow again today as the third bout of the white stuff to hit the borough this winter gave Oldhamers a rude awakening.

Motorists and commuters awoke to 2in of snow and faced yet another struggle to get to the office.

Temperatures dipped below freezing, making side roads slippy and demanded care on roads in and out of Oldham.

But Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for community services and housing, said this morning that he had not been made aware of any particular problems on Oldham’s roads.

He said the gritters were out, adding: “This amount of snow was not forecast.”

Kingfisher Community School in Chadderton was closed because of the weather and Broadfield Primary School in Goddard Street, Oldham, was shut because of heating problems, as was Kingsland School, the pupil referral unit in Dean Street, Failsworth. Beever Children’s Centre and Day Care, Moorby Street, Oldham, was also closed due to having no heating.

Heavy snow hit the motorways, making early driving conditions hazardous on the M62 between junctions 18 at Simister and 23 at Ainley Top, Huddersfield. But there were no reports of closures on the Trans-Pennine routes, A628 Woodhead Pass, the A57 Snake Pass and the A635 Holmfirth Road.

The Met Office has issued warnings to commuters to be prepared for more snow, sleet and freezing rain, which could lead to icy stretches on some of the region’s roads.

United Utilities is slowly getting back to normal after unprecedented volumes of calls from customers and an increase in the number of leaks and bursts hitting pipework both inside buildings and out, during the big thaw.

A spokeswoman said officers had been calling people back to check on the position after giving out advice about frozen pipes. Staff were still working hard to mend bursts across the region, she added.