Heavy snowfall continues to cause havoc across Hyndburn this morning with refuse and recycling collections suspended and 30 schools confirmed closed due to the weather.
Blizzards hit the borough overnight and the white stuff continues to fall heavily this morning.
Pupils off school have been enjoying an unexpected early start to the weekend and you have been sending us in your pics.
Lancashire County Council have confirmed that gritters are out in force.
A spokesman from LCC said: “They have been out gritting since yesterday evening, working throughout the night across the county. They are still out gritting roads at the moment.”
Currently no libraries or museums across Hyndburn have been closed.
Pilkingtonbus post on Facebook: “We have decided to suspend all bus services due to the bad weather. The roads have not improved since 7am and the forecast is for more snow. We have thought long and hard and have been advised by our insurance company to suspend operations.”
The bus company also tweeted: “All our school buses are not operating today, all schools closed due to snow.”
Lancashire County Council said its Travelcare service is unable to operate in east Lancashire today due to the snow and poor weather conditions.
This means that the buses will be unable to take people with various social care needs to and from Hyndburn Resource Centre, Clayton-le-Moors, Woodhaven, Accrington and Park View, Clayton-le-Moors.
Social care teams have identified people with priority needs and alternative arrangements have been made to ensure they receive the care they need while the day centre transport is unavailable.
The Travelcare service is scheduled to continue operating as usual on Monday if not affected by the weather.
North West Motorway Police said there are reports of cars getting stuck on the M65 slip roads at Whitebirk due to the weather.
Transdev Burnley have issued an update for the Service 23. They tweeted: “Service 23, just getting Huncoat checked so will update soon.”
Stephen Bagwell tweeted a warning to North West motorway police that vehicles are driving without their headlights on near Accrington: “Absolutely shocking to see vehicles without headlights on in snow on M66 and A56 Accrington.”
Hyndburn council has confirmed there will be no refuse or recycling collections today due to ‘dangerous driving conditions’.
Snow is expected to continue falling throughout today with temperatures around 2°C.
The Met Office said: “Outbreaks of rain, sleet and hill snow will slowly sink southwards through the day with brighter spells and wintry showers following from the north.
“Strong winds will slowly ease and it will feel cold under the cloud and rain.”
Lancashire Police said: “Some significant disruption to travel this morning due to snow, M65 is particularly bad with standing traffic on long stretches.
“Please check your route before setting off this morning.”
Send us your pictures on our Facebook page or to accringtonobserver@menmedia.co.uk, stating permission for publication if children pictured.
School closures so far:
Green Haworth primary school, Accrington; Huncoat Primary School, Accrington; Lee Royd nursery school, Accrington; Peel Park primary school, Accrington; St Anne’s and St Joseph’s primary school, Accrington; St Peter’s CE primary school, Accrington; St Anne’s and St Joseph’s Primary School, Accrington; St Mary Magdalen’s Church of England Primary school, Accrington; Woodnook primary school, Accrington; St James CE primary, Altham; Bowland High School; Broadfield Specialist School for Sen; Hyndburn Park School, Accrington; Hollins Technology College, Accrington; St Oswald’s primary school, Accrington; Spring Hill primary school, Accrington; St Christopher’s High School, Accrington; Heathland College, Accrington; St Mary’s RC primary school, Clayton-le-Moors; Huncoat primary school; Accrington Academy; White Ash school, Oswaldtwistle; Hippings Methodist primary school, Oswaldtwistle; The Oswaldtwistle School; Mount Carmel High School, Accrington; White Ash School, Oswaldtwistle; Broadfield Specialist School, Oswaldtwistle; Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, Oswaldtwistle; Rishton Methodist School; Rishton St Charles primary school; Norden High School, Rishton; Great Harwood primary school; St John’s primary school, Great Harwood; St Bartholomew’s CE primary school, Great Harwood
