Hi. This is Stephen keeping you updated and helping you on your way through the frost and snow this evening.
It’s been a bad day for travelling in West Berkshire and heavy snow has fallen across the area. More snow is falling in West Berks, with a yellow warning for snow and ice in place across southern England.
Drivers in the Thames Valley are being advised not to travel unless absolutely essential today.
Most schools have closed however, train operators are running a “mostly normal” service on all lines.
16:41 The 16:58 train from Newbury to Bedwyn is cancelled but all other trains running to time so far.
16:47 Slow traffic due to snow on M4 Westbound from J13 A34 (Chieveley / Newbury) to J14 A338 (Hungerford).
16:50 A339 Hampshire – Stationary traffic on A339 between the B3349 junction in Alton and Hackwood Road Roundabout in Basingstoke, because of snow and Impassable.
16:55 A34 Northbound Speen exit slip road closed, queueing traffic due to accident at A4. Highways officers have closed the exit slip following an accident. Not helped by the snowy weather conditions as well as the problems in surrounding areas.
17:03 Delays due to snow on A34 Southbound from A4 (Newbury) to A303 (Bullington Cross, Whitchurch). Traffic having trouble getting up the hills.
17:10 A new yellow warning for the South East and South West of England warns that extra late afternoon and early evening snow may cause further disruption.
The warning is in place from 16:00 GMT to 20:00.
The Met Office says it means:
- possible travel delays on roads, stranding some vehicles and passengers
- possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
- power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
According to the Met Office, there is likely to be a further 2-3cm (1in) of snow.
In some places, particularly hills over 150m, there could be 3-7cm (1-3in).
The places covered by the warning are Bracknell Forest, Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Wokingham and Wiltshire.
17:32 According to GWR. Services are SUSPENDED on Great Western Railway between Bedwyn and Newbury due to fallen tree on the line. A second tree that has fallen and blocked the line.
17:34 The 17:47 train for Penzance departing from Newbury is running approximately 8 minutes late.
17:44 Traffic returned to normal on M4 from J13 A34 (Chieveley / Newbury) to J14 A338 (Hungerford). Traffic is now moving fine along this stretch. There is still snow in the area.
17:44 The Basingstoke area is in ‘gridlock’ and drivers are urged to stay away.
17:46 Hazardous driving conditions due to snow on A339 Newtown Road from A34 to B4640.
Are you in a jam or stranded? Let us know by texting us on 07418 310320
18:30 The 19:49 London Paddington service from Newbury station is running 29 minutes late.
18:49 Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) has reported a power outage in the Burghclere area. SSE say that engineers are on site working hard to get the power back on as quickly as they can.
That’s all from me. I hope you have a great weekend. Keep Warm. Stay safe.
Stephen.
