West Midlands roads hit by heavy snow
Drivers suffered nightmare journeys across Staffordshire and the Black Country after a lack of grit turned the region's roads into an ice rink.
Drivers suffered nightmare journeys across Staffordshire and the Black Country after a lack of grit turned the region's roads into an ice rink.
Cars were abandoned, bus services cancelled and long rush-hour queues built up.
Councils today blamed an "unexpected snowfall" for the treacherous conditions and insisted the roads had been treated.
Walsall and Sandwell were among the worst-affected areas, with one three-mile journey between Willenhall and Walsall taking three hours. Council bosses in Walsall insisted 75 tons of salt were used yesterday but an "unexpected" snowstorm at 4.45pm had frozen the roads over again.
Transport chief Councillor Tom Ansell said: "We did grit the roads, I can understand people saying we didn't but we had a snowfall yesterday afternoon and when it hit the ground it froze. It was unexpected."
In Sandwell, there were tailbacks along the A41 and car went into the back of a bus on Beacon View Road. A bus was also unable to climb the hill in Wynter Lane.
Councillor Ray Nock, leader of the Conservative opposition, said: "I am very unhappy with the way the gritting operation has been carried out in Sandwell."
Sandwell Council said its crews went out at 6.30pm and 11pm yesterday and 1am today, putting down 180 tons of grit.
The wintry weather caused chaos across the region. National Express West Midlands, which runs 80 per cent of the region's buses, brought in diversions.
Today, more than 20 schools across the West Midlands and Staffordshire were closed, including Halesowen CofE Primary School and Barr Beacon Language College in Aldridge.
Gatwick and Edinburgh Airports were both closed today. A number of flights from Birmingham Airport to Scotland were cancelled.
Wolverhampton's roads appeared to run smoothly after 10 lorries spread 126 tons of salt on the city streets.
