Weather warning for Wiltshire – updated

It’s good news if you’re a school child; bad news if you’re a commuter.

Wiltshire residents are being urged to take care particularly if they are travelling, with snow forecast by the Met Office for Friday, January 18.

Moderate snow flurries throughout the day with freezing temperatures, mean roads and pavements could be hazardous.

Wiltshire Council has salted the primary and extended routes and teams will be continuing to monitor the situation and salting when necessary.

Pedestrians and motorists are urged to take care if they decide to travel.

If there is any disruption to services, they will be publicised on the council website.

Wiltshire Council’s twitter account @wiltshirewinter will be giving up-to-date information on the conditions and affected areas.

Many local schools are expected to be closed. BBC Wiltshire will be keeping parents up to date on Friday morning.

With the weather expected to remain below freezing, people are being urged to continue keeping an eye on vulnerable neighbours and friends to check they are alright.

Up to date weather information is available from the Met Office. 

Update, Friday 9.30am

All schools in the Marlborough area are closed, with the exception of St John’s Academy, which announced it was opening to exam candidates only.  In total, over 200 schools in Wiltshire have closed their doors due to the snow. 

On the roads, Wiltshire Council’s snow ploughs and gritters were out in force, keeping main routes open. The north-south A346 – which connects Marlborough to Swindon and the M4 – is earmarked as a Priority Route, as is the A4 east and west.

‘Second Priority’ routes include the  A345 from Marlborough to Pewsey, the B4192 from Swindon to Hungerford – which runs through Aldobourne and Ramsbury – and the unclassified road that links Marlborough and Ramsbury via Minal and Axford. The B3087 between Pewsey and Shalbourne via Burbage, and the  road connecting the A4 to Great Bedwyn is also designated a Second Priorty route. 

Rail services have been affected and the Thamesdown bus service between Swindon and Marlborough cancelled. Wiltshire Police have advised commuters not to travel unless they have to. 

“We are working closely with our partner agencies to ensure that there are sufficient resources to deal with any weather related incidents. Our best advice is to avoid any unnecessary journeys if at all possible however there are measures that all road users can take to help reduce any risks,” said chief superintendent Paul Mills.

Update, Friday 4pm

Marlborough and Pewsey leisure centres have been closed due to the bad weather, and libraries will be closing from 5pm. All of the counties waste and recycling collections have been suspended, and household recycling centres have been closed.