Heaviest snow for 18 years closes schools

The heaviest snowfall for 18 years has brought disruption to Birmingham and much of the country, closing schools, delaying flights and making roads treacherous.

Snow began falling across Britain on 1 February, and by the morning of 2 February large parts of the country were covered, with more expected over the coming days.

Schools closed

Many schools in Birmingham and across the Midlands have closed, leaving parents scrambling to find childcare or to take time off work. Head teachers say they have had to close because staff could not get in, or because paths and playgrounds were unsafe.

Travel chaos

Flights at Birmingham Airport have been affected, along with airports including Heathrow, Luton and Bristol. Heathrow was closed for a time and British Airways cancelled all departures for a period.

In London, all buses were withdrawn from service, and there has been widespread disruption to rail services across the south of England. Drivers are being warned to travel only if necessary and to take care on untreated roads.

Gritters out in force

Gritting teams have been working through the night to keep main roads open, but side roads and pavements remain icy in many areas. Some councils are reported to be worried about their supplies of grit if the cold spell continues.

The cost of snow

Business groups say the disruption could cost the economy hundreds of millions of pounds in lost working time, with many workers unable to get to their jobs. Some shops and offices in the city centre have been quieter than usual.

The last big snow

This is the most widespread snowfall to affect Britain since February 1991, when heavy snow also brought much of the country to a halt. Forecasters say the cold weather has been caused by a strong area of high pressure over Scandinavia pushing cold air across Britain, meeting wetter weather systems from the south.

Fun in the snow

For many children, the closure of schools has meant a rare chance to enjoy the snow, and parks across Birmingham, from Cannon Hill Park to Sutton Park and the Lickey Hills, have been filled with sledgers and snowmen.

What next

The Met Office has warned that more snow is on the way, particularly in the south and west, and that temperatures will stay low for much of the week. People are being urged to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, to keep warm and to follow travel advice before setting out.

Bus services in Birmingham have also been disrupted, with some routes suspended on hilly roads where buses could not get through safely. Passengers are being advised to check before they travel and to allow extra time for their journeys.