Weather blog: Blizzards make it a snow-slow rush hour
See tomorrow’s newspaper for a seven page weather special
I watched Ipswich and Suffolk struggling to work this morning in the worst conditions in the recent cold snap, writes editor Nigel Pickover
Driving snow, whipped up by gusting easterly winds, was the cause – and valiant overnight work by gritting teams was quickly overcome.
But despite it being a snow-slow drive to work, Suffolk’s careful drivers appeared to getting in to work, albeit, slowly.
I drove in from Felixstowe to Ipswich and the A14 was a crawl at some stages – but traffic was moving, some drivers criticising truckers for driving too fast in the outside lane.
Across the Suffolk patch:
West Suffolk news guru Colleague Russell Cook, from Ipswich, drove to Bury St Edmunds today – and got to the office in good time.
Most Read
- 1 London couple transform Suffolk home into an 'intimate' lifestyle retreat
- 2 What time will the Red Arrows be flying over Suffolk this weekend?
- 3 Forbidden Suffolk: 5 more places you can’t visit in Suffolk
- 4 The night Town beat Real Madrid - and why they're still part of elite club
- 5 Revealed: The most popular Suffolk fish and chip shop
- 6 Driver being taken to hospital after car ends up on roof in field
- 7 When will bins be emptied during the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend?
- 8 Two motorbikes stolen after break-in at Suffolk home
- 9 Village suffers power cut for 7 hours after vehicle hits electricity pole
- 10 'Rare' home of former socialite and artist goes up for sale for £1.5m
Reporter Natalie Hoodless drove in from Essex and reported difficult conditions but she was at her early shift desk on time.
Crime Reporter Colin Adwent drove in along the A137 from Manningtree – and was in work by 8am – quashing reports that Brantham Hill was treacherous. He said the road was passable with care.
News Editor Josh Warwick reached the office from Chelmondiston in good order – but said many in his close appeared to staying at home for the day
Some of the worst conditions appeared to be on some of Ipswich’s streets – where gritters had either not been or it had been ineffective.
Driving conditions across Suffolk’s minor rural roads was reported as difficult-to-treacherous.
One the A14 and A12 main routes were open – but there was just one lane in places and traffic was travelling at around 20mph.
Some of the worst conditions were in and around Ipswich where drivers I saw were taking a cautious approach – and crawling in and around Suffolk’s county town.
I took 10 minutes to reach the town centre from the Bishop’s Hill area – but traffic was moving and drivers were taking extreme caution
No accidents were reported by 8.00am.
Around the area each and every rural road was affected – the Holbrook and Shotley areas being badly hit.
I travelled to Ipswich from Felixstowe via the old A45 which was white over and appeared to be hit by whipped-up snow coming off open fields.
RETURN FROM WORK blog – will appear by 3pm.
