Wiltshire snow: Gritters continue to salt county's roads

Friday saw the accumulation of at least four inches (10cm) of snow across Wiltshire

Gritters are to continue to treat primary and extended routes around Wiltshire overnight to keep roads clear of snow and ice.

Friday saw at least four inches (10cm) of snow which caused disruption to services and travel.

Businesses, leisure centres and schools closed across the region as the snow continued to fall.

The Met Office said more snow is expected in the region overnight.

Widespread ice is also expected to cause more travel disruption overnight and into the weekend.

Wiltshire Council's head of street care Mark Smith said his team of gritters are preparing for several days of intense work.

He said: "This current event could last for up to three days so we've got to ensure we've got the resilience."

Wiltshire Council said it is continuing to monitor the situation and asked people to check on disruptions to services at its website.

The authority said it had been informed by the Met Office that overnight road surface temperatures in Wiltshire would not get above freezing for the next four days.

Police in the county are also advising drivers to avoid any unnecessary journeys.

Football plea

Meanwhile, sports events have so far survived the snow.

However, Swindon Town fans are helping to clear snow from the County Ground pitch cover on Friday evening in a bid to ensure Saturday's League One game against Shrewsbury goes ahead.

Swindon Town fans are helping to clear snow from the County Ground pitch

Salisbury City are also asking for volunteers to help clear snow from the pitch at the Raymond McEnhill on Saturday morning, prior to their Conference South game with Staines.

All Thamesdown bus services were temporarily suspended on Friday morning but some services have since been restored. All will be suspended again at 22:00 GMT.

A spokesman said the company will be carrying out route inspections early in the morning and advised customers to check its website for any developments.

Stagecoach buses out of Swindon were also running a reduced service on Friday.

Rail services were affected throughout the day. There was no South West Trains service between Salisbury and Bristol Temple Meads all day.

Railway operator First Great Western said services between London Paddington and south Wales were affected.

Passengers are being advised to check before attempting to travel.

More than 240 schools in the county were closed by Friday morning and the Oasis and Link leisure centres in Swindon closed in the afternoon.

The Swindon Designer Outlet also closed, and staff at Nationwide, Honda and Zurich in the town were sent home.

BBC Wiltshire will be broadcasting weather and travel information throughout the day on 103.5, 103.6 ,104.3 and 104.9 FM.