Beware dangers in the big freeze as Gwynedd cold snap continues

Jan 8 2009 by Alex Hickey, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

Beware dangers in the big freeze

THE big freeze which has seen temperatures dip to minus 11 degrees in parts of Gwynedd, looks set to continue at least until the weekend.

Ponds and lakes iced over across the county and parts of Caernarfon’s slate quay harbour and the Menai Strait near Bangor froze for the first time since the 1960s.

The plunging temperatures also saw many of the region’s roads covered with a sheet of ice, resulting in dangerous driving conditions and an increase in pedestrian falls.

In Caernarfon, a van driver suffered minor injuries after overturning on black ice on St Helen's Road on Monday, which was closed following the incident. A Caernarfon couple had to be hospitalised after a car skidded into the back of their vehicle on the A55 near Flint.

On Monday alone North Wales Police reported 79 accidents on the region’s roads. There has also been a rise in hospital admissions from people falling in the icy conditions or contracting seasonal illnesses.

Ysgol Tudweiliog in Pen Llyn, Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog and Ysgol Beddgelert were forced to close.

An Ysbyty Gwynedd spokeswoman said the hospital had been “extremely busy”.

Meanwhile, Gwynedd Council’s gritters have been working almost non-stop.

A spokesman said: “The main priority has been to keep the county’s main highway routes open, as well as attending to secondary routes and then main pedestrianised areas when resources and conditions allow.

“With approximately 1,800 miles – equal to the distance of the journey from London to Venice and back – the council faces a huge task.”

Police also advised parents to ensure children were aware of the dangers of playing on frozen ponds and lakes.

Control room incident manager, Inspector Paul McKeown said: “It cannot be stressed strongly enough the dangers of persons walking or playing on ice over an area of open water.”

Vulnerable residents might receive additional help with fuel bills through, cold weather payments, from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).