LIVE: Snow in south Essex

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Tonight's concert by The Songmen at the Plaza Centre has had to be cancelled.
The band, which is based in the Cotswolds, has been unable to travel due to heavy snow in the West Country.
They apologise for any inconvenience caused and have promised to reschedule their performance as soon as possible.

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The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is warning the public of the dangers faced whilst venturing out as the region prepares for heavy snowfall later today.


 

Neil Storey, EEAST’s Director of Emergency Operations said: “I am so impressed by how committed and determined staff and volunteers have been in ensuring patients are excellently cared for.

“Drivers should double check their vehicle is ready for ice and snow, with the correct tyres fitted and inflated and a boot stocked with de-icer and a scraper as well as a flask, water, non-perishable snacks and blankets in case of breakdown. Even with all these precautions please be extra careful on the roads to avoid skids but don’t go outside – walking or driving – in severe weather unless you really need to. If you do need to take a walk wrap up warm and wear sturdy, non-slip footwear to avoid slips, trips and falls.


“We also call on people to look in on neighbours, particularly if they are elderly or living alone. They are often the ones in most need and communities working together for each other’s good health is especially important at this very cold time.”


The ambulance service is using extra resources such as 4x4s to ensure staff and patients can keep moving in the conditions but Neil reiterated that the public need to stay vigilant.


“Simple things make a big difference to people, such as keeping warm at home, ensuring you have enough heating oil or meter credit if necessary, keeping medicines stocked up and making sure you have grit and salt.”

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HOMELESSNESS services that have seen demand almost double over the past week of freezing weather are working hard to make sure no-one is left out in the cold.


The Homeless Action Resource Project (Harp) in Southend has arranged for guesthouses to take in about 20 people on top of 14 at its night shelter and 20 at one of seven churches that open up in turn.


Service operations manager Gary Turner said: “It would be absolutely awful to be out on the streets on a night like this. It’s so bitter out there it’s numbing to the senses.


“I suppose it would compound your sense of worthlessness from daily life.”


Harp suspends some of its less essential services to make sure it has staff out on the streets talking to the homeless as early in the day as possible.


Members of the public can report a homeless person through www.streetlink.org.uk or by calling 0300 500 0914.

1:17pm

Snow has started in Southend

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Castledon School, Wickford shut at 1pm due to snow.

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Snow finally hits Basildon

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Darron Burness, head of the AA's severe weather team, said: "With the outlook remaining cold, drivers need to be prepared for possible disruption.

"Today's commute is likely to test man and machine with potentially challenging driving conditions across many areas. If the snow comes in quickly, it will cause problems, particularly drifting snow.

"Before heading out, check the Met Office weather alerts and traffic reports and allow a bit more time for your journey, as you don't want to rush on potentially icy roads. Do the basic checks on your car and, in case of any problems, carry plenty of warm clothing, blankets, de-icer and scraper, some food, hot flask and a fully-charged mobile."

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Britain's transport network could be brought to its knees today as heavy snow is expected to blanket the UK.

Much of the UK has woken up to a thick covering of snow, and up to 12in (30cm) could fall on higher ground.

Travel companies have warned of widespread travel disruptions, and train firms have put out revised timetables.

Southern, Greater Anglia, South West Trains and the Eurostar are all running amended services on a number of routes or with speed restrictions because of the snow.

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Southend v Plymouth game cancelled

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Get the latest weather video report here

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/video/2102157173001/?ref=vidshare

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Passengers at both Heathrow and Gatwick Airports urged to check their flights are still running.

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Around 70 flights cancelled at London's Heathrow Airport.

A spokesman said: "This is primarily because of problems at other airports. Obviously the snow is affecting the whole country and it just means there's a knock-on effect here."

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Depending on where you get your weather forecast, snow will hit south Essex any time between now and 3pm. Rush hour chaos being predicted.

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Bromfords School and Sixth Form College, Grange Avenue, Wickford will be closing at 1.15pm today. There are exams today and they will still be going ahead

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@good_ean Be careful out there! No snow in #Essex first thing, but coming down steadily now. #uksnow

— @gooding2shoes 18 January 2013

9:53am

Snow has hit central London - light flurries in Thurrock already.

Comments(14)

Russ13 says...
10:58am Fri 18 Jan 13

" 3-5cm fresh snow across Essex on Friday and Saturday"

And we've got live updates because this is going to cause so much disruption?

Terry Taliban should take note.... give up making bombs and just hit the UK with snow canons if such a small amount of snow can cause such widespread panic and chaos!!!

BinDipper says...
11:15am Fri 18 Jan 13

Russ13 wrote:
" 3-5cm fresh snow across Essex on Friday and Saturday"

And we've got live updates because this is going to cause so much disruption?

Terry Taliban should take note.... give up making bombs and just hit the UK with snow canons if such a small amount of snow can cause such widespread panic and chaos!!!
I just spat out my tea reading that. Snow cannons indeed :) we'd be finished!!

Russ13 says...
11:21am Fri 18 Jan 13

BinDipper wrote:
Russ13 wrote: " 3-5cm fresh snow across Essex on Friday and Saturday" And we've got live updates because this is going to cause so much disruption? Terry Taliban should take note.... give up making bombs and just hit the UK with snow canons if such a small amount of snow can cause such widespread panic and chaos!!!
I just spat out my tea reading that. Snow cannons indeed :) we'd be finished!!
Careful.... if that tea freezes you won't be able to leave your house for a week lol

trucker1 says...
11:28am Fri 18 Jan 13

Come on Echo get your finger out Southend v Plymouth cancelled 45 Min ago and still not on the news

Rob777 says...
2:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This story makes Essex sound like the Sahara desert.

Russ13 says...
2:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Rob777 wrote:
This story makes Essex sound like the Sahara desert.
For the time being Rob....... Sunday might be a different matter but hopefully we'll remain lucky and snow free!

firedog says...
4:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SWtay calm,and keep warm.
P.S.Its called winter.

Sean4u says...
5:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ooer snoooow - better clean out shelves of the local retail park buying stuff we don't need and stay at home looking up price of snow chains we won't use and the availability of benefits on the web! We can always get some migrant workers to go outside if it's not nice...

Antonius says...
6:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Snow, what snow ?

newcommuter says...
6:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Shocked by the horror that awaited me when I arrived at Southend East just before 5.00. Having read the Snow : Live at lunchtime, when it was still snowing in central London I was expecting the worst. Nothing, didn't even have to defrost the car like last night.

What I don't understand is why trains to Southend Victoria are being cancelled and C2C, who I think provide good service 99.9% of the time, are reducing the size of rush hour trains by a third giving the reason as "snow". What snow?

Antonius says...
6:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sean4u wrote:
Ooer snoooow - better clean out shelves of the local retail park buying stuff we don't need and stay at home looking up price of snow chains we won't use and the availability of benefits on the web! We can always get some migrant workers to go outside if it's not nice...
I don't think you'll find snow chains are any good on UK roads.

Antonius says...
11:00am Sat 19 Jan 13

How ridiculous can you get, when schools are closed just because
snow is forecast.

Some states in the US will call a "snow day" if more than 10% of children
can't get to school.
In that case, an extra day will be tagged on to the end of term. Seems like a
good idea. Can't see our teachers being keen though !

martsouth says...
4:05pm Sun 20 Jan 13

you idiots who can't in the snow stay off the roads!

martsouth says...
4:10pm Sun 20 Jan 13

you idiots who can't drive in the snow stay off the roads!

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