Snow causes traffic chaos and school closure (PICTURES)
TRAFFIC came to a standstill today as treacherous conditions caused severe tailbacks and eight accidents.
The early morning chaos hit the A50 first. An accident at the junction with the A521 in the southbound direction caused gridlock.
By 8.30am police had put in place a rolling road block between Blythe Bridge and Heron Cross to deal with the congestion.
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Police spokesman David Bailey said: "A total of eight accidents were reported in North Staffordshire.
"The main reason for the congestion was the conditions rather than the accidents. Motorists who usually use smaller country routes were resorting to the larger main roads because conditions were so bad. In some places journeys were taking twice as long as they usually take."
AA officials reported an average speed of 5mph going south between Meir and Longton.
Sandon Road in Meir was at a complete standstill as a result of the problems.
The A500 at Britannia Stadium also became jammed with commuters struggling to cope with the snowy conditions.
Other accidents were reported in Chell Heath Road, Colclough Lane and Penkhull New Road causing prolonged delays.
Commuters reported it was taking them an extra two hours to get to work and some even chose to abandon their journey.
Laura Cottingham works in recruitment at Stowan Safety in Cooper Street, Hanley.
She lives in Leek and her journey to work by bus usually takes about an hour. This morning it took two and a half hours.
She said: "We were stuck in Endon for more than an hour. There wasn't much anybody could do about it so there was no point getting frustrated. Some people were getting off the bus and turning back because they had already missed early morning appointments."
Gritters were out through the night on roads across Staffordshire and Cheshire in preparation for the severe weather.
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: "The entire fleet of gritters were out last night and again at 7.30am." St John's Primary School in Mill Lane, Wetley Rocks, was closed because staff could not get to work.
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by lee, weston coyney
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 3:22PM
“What ever happened to common sense?
Have ever any of you guys heard of "walking"?
Oh, your place of work is 20mile away?
Then dont go,,
What about the kids?
Make them walk to school,!
You walk with them if it makes you feel any better,
its a good excuse not to go work right?
This is how the majority of people think nowadays,,"a little bit of snow and my world comes to an end, cant drive my car,,im doomed".
Only doctors, nurses, pensioner care workers, ambulances and rescue services should be given priority over roads and access to 4x4 vehicles, when bad weather hits.
The rest of you can belt up and deal with it,! ,if your that scared stay at home!”
by Liz, Shivering Stoke
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 10:14AM
“Steve, New Zealand, do you have a spare room, sounds great out there!”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 9:41AM
“The problem round hear in Stoke is the over reacton of the public, and a bit of silly driveing as per normal. Council gritters were out and did there job well, keeping the roads clear. The problems in the Meir are being over egged a little by some of the posts. As I say 9 times out of 10 its folks only thinking of themselfs and a but of foolish driveing, if you are runing a bit late for work, hay so what.”
by Andy, Penang,Malaysia
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 9:11AM
“Having commuted along the A50 every day for the last 2 years, you have my sympathy. At least living in the tropics all I have to worry about on the way home from work are landslides and monkeys - and whether to have a swim before or after my G+T!!!”
by steve, newzealand !!
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 4:13AM
“Sorry about that the suns out here and its about 28 dgrees and the bbq on !!”