Herefordshire Council has reported that A and B roads across the county are passable with care after nearly 500 tonnes of salt were put down by gritters working throughout the night. Hereford has had around 4 inches of snow and up to 10 inches of snow has fallen on parts of South Herefordshire. The council’s contractor Amey Herefordshire is continuing to treat the roads this morning but unclassified roads will be extremely difficult for motorists.

Therefore, the council reaffirms police advice that drivers should not venture out unless their journey is absolutely necessary. Domestic waste and recycling collections are likely to be extremely disrupted today.

Parents can find out the most up to date information on school closures this morning by telephoning Herefordshire Council’s emergency information line – 0844 939 6101 – which has been open from 6am.

The council has been notified of the following school closures due to heavy snow today. Parents are advised to ring their schools direct for further details.

Primary Schools Almeley Primary Ashfield Park Primary Ashperton Primary Bosbury Primary Brampton Abbotts Primary Bredenbury Primary Brockhampton Primary Burley Gate Primary Burley Gate Primary Burley Gate Primary Canon Pyon Primary Clehonger Primary Clifford Primary Colwall Primary Cradley Primary Dilwyn Primary Ewyas Harold Primary Garway Primary Goodrich Primary Gorsley Goffs Primary Hampton Dene Primary Holme Lacy Primary Ivington Primary Kings Caple Primary Kingsland Primary Lea Primary Ledbury Primary Leintwardine Primary Leominster Infants & Junoirs Lord Scudamore Primary Lucton Independent School Lugwardine Primary Luston Primary Marden Primary Marlbrook Primary Michaelchurch Escley Primary Much Birch Primary Much Marcle Primary Orleton Primary Our Ladies RC Primary Pencombe Primary Peterchurch Primary Shobdon Primary St Francis Xavier RC Primary St James' CE Primary Hereford St Joseph's RC Primary St Pauls CE Primary Hereford St Peter's Bromyard Primary St Thomas Cantilupe Primary Stoke Prior Primary Sutton Primary Trinity Primary Walford Primary Weobley Primary Whitbourne Primary Whitchurch Primary Wigmore Primary Withington Primary Pembridge Primary is open but no buses will be operating High Schools Aylestone High Fairfield High John Masefield High Kingstone High Lady Hawkins High Queen Elizabeth High St Mary's RC High The Bishop's of Hereford Bluecoat School The Hereford Academy The Minster Weobley High Wigmore High John Kyrle High Out of county schools Monmouth Comperhensive Tenbury High Ludlow College Special Schools Barrs Court Special School Blackmarston Special School Westfield Special School St Davids Pupil Referral The Aconbury Centre Hereford College of Technology - both Hereford and Holme Lacy Campus'

Herefordshire Council is grateful to the team of volunteer 4X4 response drivers, who are members of the community and made over 20 emergency journeys during the night, primarily to get staff to and from the county hospital, and are continuing to make journeys today.

Emergency crews have reported difficulties in getting to blue light incidents due to the weather. Untreated roads and pavements are likely to stay very slippery through the rest of today. And people are urged to take care so that they avoid the risk of slips, trips and falls.

NHS Herefordshire advises that if you do need medical treatment, please consider using parts of the NHS other than A&E and the 999 service. The NHS is extremely busy at present due to the cold weather; please get advice on your condition from a pharmacist, your GP NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or on-line at www.nhs.uk and if you need treatment, consider using a walk in centre or minor injuries unit.

Residents are also being advised to check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to cold weather, which is especially dangerous for older people or people with serious illnesses. People with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems may have worse symptoms during a cold spell and for several days after temperatures return to normal.

To keep warm and well during the current snowy weather: • Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts.

• Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter. • Wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer). • Keep as active as possible.

• Wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days.

Keep your home at the recommended temperature of 18–21°C (64–70°F). If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep.