Snow chaos hits Gwynedd

Dec 23 2010 by Kevin White, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

Snow chaos hits Gwynedd

THE worst weather in over three decades this week brought large parts of Gwynedd to a standstill, however it may have reaped unforeseen benefits to some businesses.

Snowfalls of over 10 inches were recorded in some parts of the Lln peninsula and Meirionnydd over the weekend, with snow and ice continuing to cause travel chaos during the week.

The majority of schools in Gwynedd were forced to close, with other essential council services affected, while many country roads were deemed too hazardous for motorists, many of whom had to abandon their cars.

Ifor Hughes, chairman of the Pwllheli chamber of trade said yesterday (Wednesday): “The situation on the Lln Peninsula itself has been treacherous, with people from more rural areas unable to leave their homes during the past few days.

“Obviously, these residents have been unable to get to Pwllheli, which would be their natural destination for Christmas shopping, so this has hit the town's trade over this important period.

“But on the flipside, local residents have been unable to go further afield to places such as Chester or even Caernarfon, so I suppose some businesses may have benefited in some ways.

“This is the worst period of weather I can remember in the last 35 years.”

Gwynedd’s home care provision has also been affected by weather conditions.

One resident said she was concerned about the effect the lack of available helpers has had on elderly people on the Lln Peninsula: “We are talking about some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and there doesn’t seem to any kind of ‘Plan B’.”

In Blaenau Ffestiniog, medical services were maintained at the town’s Memorial Hospital, after staff battled through the snow to get to work, while workers at the Bryn Blodau care home had to be ferried there by the police, with some of the staff having to sleep there at the end of their shifts.

The worst snowfall since 1983 has seen the town itself grind to a halt, according to Herald correspondent Meirion Ellis.

He added: “Many shops and businesses were closed, while treacherous road conditions saw the A470 Crimea Pass rendered inaccessible on several occasions.

“There were no buses running, all the schools in the area were closed and supermarkets have struggled to keep shelves stocked due to supply issues.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “Unfortunately, whilst every effort has been made to reach residents who receive care support, it has not been possible in some rural areas such as the Lln Peninsula to reach some homes.

“However, in accordance with our agreed business continuity plan, all service users have been contacted and staff have spoken to them by phone prior to the planned visit to explain that a carer was unable to reach them and to ascertain any specific prioritised needs which could be fed to emergency services.

“In some instances and when appropriate, family members and informal carers were contacted by our on-call supervisors to inform them of the situation, and we very much appreciate their support and understanding and willingness to assist us in these exceptional circumstances.”

Gwynedd Council was hoping for new supplies of grit to replenish their dwindling stocks on Wednesday. Gwyn Morris Jones, Gwynedd Council’s head of highways and municipal services, said: “We currently have enough salt to treat priority roads for six days of icy conditions or for two days of snowy conditions.

“We are extremely grateful to our staff who have been working throughout the night during this wintery weather to ensure that the county’s main routes remain open for motorists.

“We would urge motorists to continue to take care on the roads during this inclement weather, with temperatures remaining low.”

kevin.white