2/12/2008 - County Council update - wintery conditions in Cumbria

Cumbria County Council has been battling to help the public through the worst of this year's wintery weather this morning. 

The entire fleet of 27 gritters have been out on the roads, concentrating on gritting priority one and two roads. As resources allow, they will  move out to the smaller roads, concentrating on more densely populated areas that haven't been gritted yet.
 
All main roads are passable with care.

Most of the snow is in the east of the county, especially around the Penrith area. In the south there is freezing fog which is keeping temperatures down.

The advice to drivers is to avoid non-essential journeys and if you must drive, then take care and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front. 

Several schools throughout the county closed this morning - mainly due to hazardous road conditions.

They include: 
Secondary schools - William Howard at Brampton and John Ruskin at Coniston.

Primary schools - Armathwaite, Lazonby, Hayton, Old Hutton near Kendal, Lees Hill near Brampton, Dent near Sedbergh, Lanercost and Asby Endowed near Appleby, Shankhill school at Hethersgill and Fir Ends at Kirklinton.

Parents are advised to listen to local radio for up to date information about school closures tomorrow.

The Windermere ferry is operating as usual.

Cumbria's mobile libraries service has been affected.
The Carlisle route 12  around the Gt Corby and Heads Nook area has been cancelled aswell as the Barrow Route 6 coastal service to Bootle. The four other mobile libraries are working as normal.

Keswick library is warning customers it may to have to close early due to heating problems.

Notes

For more information on priority routes for gritting visit http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/view.asp?ID=21012

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.