A DELUGE of overnight snow has wreaked havoc across the region, bringing roads to a complete standstill and closing hundreds of schools and businesses.
Main arterial routes have ground to a halt amid traffic chaos and thousands have been unable to get to work after this morning’s downfall.
Manchester Airport was forced to suspend flights until 9am and bus operator Stagecoach cancelled most of its services in Greater Manchester as the city struggles to get to grips with the treacherous conditions.
Follow our live updates on the latest travel news here.
Numerous schools have closed including Withington Girls ' School, in Fallowfield, which shut for the first time in its history - latest school closures here.
Bus services changes from GMPTE:
- Bolton - all services are suspended due to severe weather conditions
- Bury - all services are suspended due to severe weather conditions
- Manchester - 42 operating, but severely delayed. 192 is operating between Manchester & Levenshulme. 201 operating between Manchester & Hyde. All other services are not operating.
- Oldham - 72, 77, 112, 151 (main roads only), 159 (not serving Woodhouses), 181/2 (Chadderton only) & 188 are running. All other services suspended.
- Rochdale - all services are suspended due to severe weather conditions
- Salford - all services are suspended due to severe weather conditions
- Stockport - all services are badly affected
- Tameside - all services are badly affected
- Trafford - 16 & 263 services are currently running into Manchester, but severely delayed.
- Wigan - all services are suspended due to severe weather conditions.
- All Local Link services are suspended.
- First - all services currently suspended. Bury and Bolton depots closed due to the snow.
- Stagecoach - endeavouring to operate core main road services, where possible.
- Arriva - Bolton depot closed. Services from Manchester and Wythenshawe being suspended.
- The following operators have also had to suspend their services:
- South Lancs Travel; Olympia; Jim Stones; Rossendale; Manchester Community Transport.
- Bluebird - operating core routes on main roads only. (Awaiting specific details)
- Haytons - services 44; 54 & 195/6 suspended. Some school services have run.
A number of crashes have rendered many motorways inaccessible.
And a series of jacknifed lorries and buses have caused severe delays on many routes to the city centre.
The M6 southbound was closed between junctions 26 and 27 by a jacknifed lorry and reopened at 7.30am.
Two lanes northbound were out of action close to Junction 21A at Croft.
On the M62 westbound an overturned car has reduced traffic to one lane between Junctions 10 and 11 Birchwood in both directions.
The M60 was closed over the Barton Bridge with a number of lorries stranded on the carriageway.
A number of countryside routes were also closed including the Cat and Fiddle, the Snake Pass, the Woodhead Pass and the Greenfield to Holmfirth Road.
Police have warned commuters against travelling.
The Met Office have issued a weather warning over snow and ice. More snow is expected over the course of the morning with sunshine forecast for the afternoon.
Today’s high is expected to be one Celsius with minus five due overnight.
Drivers across the region have told tales of horror - journeys of just a few miles taking more than an hour - and many others grinding to a standstill, unable even to turn round to go home.
Most schools across the area remain closed and police urged people NOT to drive unless necessary.
They are asking the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.
Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Karan Lee said: "I would like to reassure the public that we will attend all emergencies however our response vehicles could also be hindered by the adverse weather conditions and it may take us a little longer to get you.
"I would also ask that you seriously consider the need to contact the emergency services before dialling 999, ensuring that we can focus on the people who need us the most."
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
50 grand a week, manchester (05/01/2010 at 08:22)
No workers from Council.
armen haczmerian (05/01/2010 at 08:27)
Supreme Being, Manchester. (05/01/2010 at 08:44)
Oldham council rang on 770 4325, the one time it wasn't engaged, it was answered by someone who would put me on the list. The gritter arrived the next day.
Today, very festive it is too, I've ventured outside to feel the crispy fresh snow beneath my feet and the warmth of my breath on the cold air. Suddenly the silence was broken, a male voice shouted " Eh arr love over ere, give us a hand. Armed with my trusty shovel I plodded over to the corner and saw 12 of my neighbours kindly moving the snow. As fast as they moved it, more fell to the ground. With an air of desperation, faces reached to the white skies and realised this was a never ending problem.
Decisions to make, work or a warm brew and daytime TV.
Plodding on, we made an effort and soon we could see the black of the tarmac. But Jonesy down the road, he made an attempt to travel up the long winding cul de sac, and was thwarted by the deep snow. His wheels skidded and he came to a shuddering halt. The neighbours with their tools aimed for Jonesy's car and dug out all the snow, allowing him access to the road. He drove off with face happy, only to get stuck further up the road and walk back some minutes later.
Road abandoned, now nobody could get out or in. Public transport don't run on cul de sacs.
Nothing for it, a morning in front of the telly with Jeremy Kyle.
Maybe, just maybe, Oldham council will have a spare gritter for sale.
Anyone know where to get some grit?????
Mike, Manchester (05/01/2010 at 08:46)
nn, STOCKPORT (05/01/2010 at 08:51)
jay cee (05/01/2010 at 08:58)
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (05/01/2010 at 09:16)
I'm definitely going to question this years Council tax bill and I think other people should do also, the council obviously don't give a toss about providing a service so people can even do the basic task of even getting to work to earn their taxable income.
PAH , Manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:21)
Stevedore, Quayside (05/01/2010 at 09:25)
There is a shortage of road salt, Scotland has had to buy and import the stuff from Africa because of the shortage. It is not only a severe winter but it has been going on now with freezing conditions for several weeks which has helped to deplete salt and grit.
Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:26)
People drive like morons all year, they're not stopping for a little snow!
R Annie, Manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:28)
Whether or not there's ENOUGH of them is another matter, and probably comes down to forward planning with regard to the milder winters we have had in recent years.
We're ALWAYS caught out when we get a big freeze.
Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:37)
Ran Droid, Manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:37)
Almighty God, Salford - vote Green (05/01/2010 at 09:40)
Andy, Wythenshawe (05/01/2010 at 09:41)
When snow fall is this heavy nothing can be done, so stay off work and relax.
palomablanca, manchester (05/01/2010 at 09:44)
MPs gravy train, UK (05/01/2010 at 09:46)
But I am disappointed that the councils have not stocked up with enough grit to supply grit bins and town centres where pavements are treacherous. If we are all walking to shop then some resources should be used to help clear some pavements. (What are the bin men doing) Not worried about the snow but the ice that sits underneath it.
Gary Salamander (05/01/2010 at 09:51)
For those who are driving in, take care.
Fallingbostel BLUE, GERMANY (05/01/2010 at 09:58)
Graycus, Timperley (05/01/2010 at 09:59)
Mark Wilson (05/01/2010 at 09:59)
Rick Jenks, Bury (05/01/2010 at 10:00)
Morrissey United, Denton, Manc. (05/01/2010 at 10:02)
mr speaker, Altrincham (05/01/2010 at 10:04)
wayneold, manc (05/01/2010 at 10:07)
Its great fun, stop moaning people, if you go crash your car....tough! If you slip......tough!
Stay at home unless you have to, personally ive had a good walk around the city centre and now im off to the park for some snow fun! Wahoo