Wirral Council has announced that due to the bad weather the following schools will be closing early today:
•Bebington High School: Closed this afternoon
•Bedford Drive Primary School: Closed from 1 pm
•Bidston Avenue Primary: Closed from 1.15pm
•Bidston Village CE Primary: Closed from 1pm
•Black Horse Hill Juniors: Closed all day
•Brackenwood Infants, Bebington: Closed from 1pm
•Brookhurst Primary School, Bromborough: Closed from 1pm
•Christchurch CE Primary School, Birkenhead: Closed from 12.30
•Church Drive Primary School: Closed from 2 pm
•Claremount Specialist Sports College: Closed from 11:30am
•Dawpool CE Primary: Closed from 1pm
•Devonshire Park Primary School, Birkenhead: Closed all day
•Fender Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•Ganney’s Meadow Early Years Centre: Closed from 12 noon
•Gayton Primary School: Closed from 1.15 pm
•Greasby Infant School: Closed from 1pm
•Hayfield School: Closed all day
•Heygarth Primary School, Eastham: Closed from 1pm
•Hillside Primary School, Prenton: Closed from 1pm
•Holy Spirit Primary, Moreton: Closed from 11am
•Hoylake Holy Trinity: Closed from 1pm
•Irby Primary School: Closed from 1.15 pm
•Kilgarth School, Birkenhead: Closed all day
•Kingsway Primary School, Wallasey: Closed from 11am
•Leasowe Early Years: Closed from 1pm
•Liscard Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•Meadowside School, Woodchurch: Closed from 1pm
•Millfields Primary School: Closed all day
•Mosslands School: Closed, but open for non-contacts and exams
•Oldershaw School: Closed all day
•Overchurch Juniors: Closed from 1.15pm
•Oxton St Saviours Primary School: Closed all day
•Pensby Primary School: Closed from 12 noon
•Prenton High School: Closed from 1pm
•Raeburn Primary School, Bromborough: Closed from 1pm
•Rock Ferry Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•Somerville Primary, Wallasey: Closed from 1pm
•South Wirral High School: closed all day
•St Andrews Primary: Closed from 1pm
•St Anne’s Primary School, Rock Ferry: Closed from 1.30pm
•St Bridget’s Primary School, West Kirby: Closed from 1pm
•St John Plessington Catholic College: Closed from 12 noon
•St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•St Peter’s Catholic Primary, Noctorum: Closed from 1pm
•St Werburgh’s Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•Stanton Road Primary School: Closed from 1.15 pm
•The Priory Parish CE Primary, Birkenhead: Closed from 1pm
•Thingwall primary: Closed from 1pm
•University Academy Birkenhead: Closed from 11am
•Wallasey School: Closed all day
•Well Lane Primary School, Birkenhead: Closed from 12 noon
•West Kirby Primary School: Closed from 1.30pm
•Wirral Hospital School, Claughton: Closed from 11.30am
•Woodchurch C of E Primary School: Closed from 1pm
•Woodchurch Road Primary, Birkenhead: Closed from 1pm
•Woodlands Primary School: Closed from 1 pm
•Woodslee Primary School, Bromborough: Closed from 1pm
Merseytravel says all buses are presently running as normal across Wirral and ferries are still operating.
Average speed on the M53 is currently reduced to 25mph after an accident near Chester.
The Met Office has advised that Merseyside is set to experience sub-zero temperatures over the next few days which could result in hazardous roads for drivers and pedestrians.
Police are warning people to drive with “extreme caution” and to leave room between them and the car in front.
Sergeant Paul Mountford said: “I would urge motorists to use their common sense as they make their way out in the morning. Motorists should reduce their speed to ensure they drive safely in these conditions.
“It can take 10 times longer to stop on an icy road than on a dry road, so people need to keep this in mind.
“Drivers should leave plenty of room between them and the car in front, drive slower than usual and use their gears to slow down where possible rather than their brakes, pay attention to the road traffic signs on the motorways and listen to local radio stations for regular traffic updates.
“I would also like to remind pedestrians that many footpaths will be very icy and so great care should be taken when out and about.
“While this cold weather continues we would also urge people to check on the welfare of family, friends and neighbours, particularly those that are vulnerable or elderly.”
Roads were be gritted from 7pm last night, with council highways contractor on stand-by round the clock.
A Wirral Council spokesman said: “There are ten full-size gritters and two mini-gritters available for use for Highways Winter Service operations this winter and snow ploughs will also be available for use with each of the full-size gritters.
“The ten main gritting routes are continually assessed to ensure that major bus routes, certain school routes and strategic vehicle routes across Wirral are treated.
“There are 286 grit bins installed and stocked up across the borough which supplement the work the gritters are doing out on the strategic and main roads.”
Police have issued the following advice: Before starting your journey fully defrost and clear the car windscreen and windows – do not leave the car unattended while you do this and do not leave the keys in the ignition if your are physically scraping the windows of ice.
Ensure the screen wash is topped up, isn’t frozen and the windscreen wipers and tyres are in good condition.
Leave more time for your journey. Drive slowly and carefully to take account of the icy conditions, leaving a good distance between your car and any vehicles in front of you.
To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
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