Wirral shows true grit after big freeze causes week of chaos

Jan 13 2010 by Matt Hurst, Wallasey News

WIRRAL emerged from a week of snow chaos, affecting schools, workplaces and transport – but the Met Office is warning of more freezing temperatures tonight.

Every school has now reopened, after most pupils and staff were urged to stay home and avoid the perilous conditions.

Council gritters worked their way through a thousand tons of salt following last Tuesday’s snowfall, even helping Liverpool out when supplies ran short, but many smaller roads remained untreated.

A burst water main caused problems of a different sort on Heron Road in Meols.

Repairs have now been made but the route remains closed to traffic.

Staffing at many Wirral businesses was also affected, but the snow hasn’t been all bad.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) regional organiser, Neil Dutton told the News: “Local shops have seen a big rise in trade because people are reluctant to drive and so are shopping more locally, particularly for food.”

And while some workers could stay home, NHS staff endured a particularly busy week at Arrowe Park – accident and emergency saw a leap of 50 attendances a day.