Joy and disruption as Beast from the East arrives
THE ‘Beast from the East’ wreaked havoc this week with heavy snow flurries on Tuesday and Wednesday - and there is no end in sight to the cold snap.
Thirteen schools and nurseries across Hyndburn were closed on Tuesday as icy winds blew in from Siberia.
Lancashire County Council closed the waste recycling centre at Altham on Tuesday, but borough council waste services continued, albeit some hard-to-reach properties were missed from collections.
All but one of our local authority schools was reported to have reopened first thing on Wednesday despite further snow. However, as conditions deteriorated from late on Wednesday morning, several were once again forced to give up the battle with the elements.
Icy conditions in and around school grounds were also cited for afternoon closures, which hit Hyndburn Academy in Rishton, Hollins Technology College, Mount Carmel, St Peter’s CE Primary, St Mary Magdalen’s Primary, Oswaldtwistle School and Accrington and Rossendale College.
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said: “We’re really proud of our waste and recycling teams who have carried on collecting throughout the recent snowy weather and will continue working hard to keep the service going throughout these extreme weather conditions. They will continue getting to as many properties as they can and will catch up as soon as possible with any properties that are missed due to access problems.”
Earlier in the week, the Met Office issued a yellow weather alert warning as the snow caused problems for bus services, with some roads and villages unable to be accessed.
Rosso said the 244 service was running but unable to service Belthorn and was being delayed. The Blackburn Bus Company also reported problems in Great Harwood.
Police warned motorists to take care on the roads and advised drivers to only travel where absolutely necessary. The Met Office forecast predicts more light snow showers on Thursday morning and into the afternoon. Snowfall is expected to cease on Friday, although temperatures will remain frosty at between zero and minus two degrees until Sunday afternoon.
HYNDBURN covered in blanket of white - your snow scene pictures are on p18.