Devon and Cornwall schools disrupted amid snow and ice warning

Devon and Cornwall schools disrupted amid snow and ice warning

You are currently viewing Devon and Cornwall schools disrupted amid snow and ice warning
  • Post category:BBC DEVON


Zhara Simpsonand

Chloe Parkman,South West

Trippthedog / BBC Weather Watchers Snow and ice covering rocks in Sticklepath captured for BBC Weather Watchers by Trippthedog on Monday 05/01/26Trippthedog / BBC Weather Watchers

The snow has settled in areas including Sticklepath on Dartmoor

People in Devon and Cornwall are being warned of icy conditions after some schools were closed due to disruption caused by the cold snap.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in force across the region until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office said showers would ease through the night but ice would be a more widespread hazard overnight into Tuesday morning as temperatures fall below freezing.

It advised people travelling in Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to allow for extra time for their journeys and to plan ahead.

Met Office A Met Office image of a map with areas highlighted in yellow. There's two boxes with the words 'yellow' and 'snow and ice' in them.Met Office

The Met Office said the yellow weather warning for snow and ice was in force until 11:00 on Tuesday

Ashwater Primary School in Beaworth and Halwill Community Primary School were shut due to “treacherous” conditions despite gritting, said Devon County Council.

Three other schools – including the Lipson Co-Operative Academy in Plymouth, and Cornwall schools St Neot Primary School and Treverbyn Academy – delayed start times.

Cornwall Council said Trewidland Primary closed: “We were hoping to be able to open the school but the roads surrounding us are too icy.

“We also have some staff which are unable to get in safely too therefore, school will be closed today, we will reopen tomorrow.”

Upottery Primary School is due to be closed on Tuesday due to “a significant heating failure”.

Devon County Council said: “The temperature inside the school building has fallen to approximately 5 degrees Celsius, making it unsuitable for children and staff.

“Repairs are currently ongoing, and we are hopeful that the school will be able to reopen on Wednesday.”

Salcombe Church of England Primary School said it would also be closed on Tuesday “due to unsafe temperatures in the building” but would update parents if that changed.

Launceston College said to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and families it would shut on Tuesday due to large portions of the site, including the entrances and car parks, being covered in ice.

A small snowman with a orange nose and hat. It has two twigs for arms and stones for eyes. There are plant pot behind it.

This snowman was built in Goonhavern in Cornwall before school

The Met Office said: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy.

“Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.”

Plymouth Highways said its gritters were be out covering primary and secondary routes at 13:00 on Monday and would be out at 01:00 on Tuesday.

Cornwall Council contractor Cormac said with sleet and snow showers expected, its gritters were “out in full force” on the precautionary routes again at 12:00 on Monday and at 03:00 on Tuesday.

exmoorz/BBC Weather Watchers Tiverton in Devon on 5 January. Two swans stood on ice. There are bushes in the background and a tunnel. exmoorz/BBC Weather Watchers
Wolf Fleece/BBC Weather Watchers Camborne in Cornwall on 5 January. A snowy scene. There is a parked car that is frozen over. There are three buildings, two in the foreground and one in the background, both have snow on the roofs. The pavements are snowy. The sky is grey. Wolf Fleece/BBC Weather Watchers

The Met Office said ice would be a more widespread hazard overnight into Tuesday morning

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in force across the region until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday

South West Water has advised people protect their homes against burst pipes as a result of cold weather.

It said when temperatures drop and water freezes and turns into ice it could expand by nearly 10%, which stops the flow of water through pipes.

This could cause even new pipes to split, often resulting in leaks and bursts which can cause flooding and damage to homes and gardens.

It said to protect from frozen pipes people could:

  • Wrap pipes and water tanks with lagging
  • Find your inside stop tap and make sure to turn it off if you discover a leak or burst
  • Leave the heating on low if you go away
  • Check the central heating boiler has been serviced
  • Bleed radiators
  • Check your meter to see if you have a leak

What to do if you have frozen pipes:

  • Check with neighbours, if they still have water your pipes may be frozen
  • Check pipes for signs of a split
  • Turn off the supply using the internal stop tap
  • If the central heating and other water heating appliances were already on, keep on
  • However, if they were turned off do not be tempted to switch them on to thaw frozen pipes as this could cause damage
  • Drain the cold water system only by flushing the toilet and opening cold taps over sinks and baths
  • If you don’t find any damage, turn on all the taps and thaw the frozen pipe using a warm towel or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel
  • When the pipes have thawed and you are sure no damage or leak has occurred turn off the taps and slowly switch the supply back on using the internal stop tap
  • Recheck the pipes and check again for signs of damage or a leak before switching on water heating appliances.



Source link

Tags: , , , ,