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Gritting blitz keeps motorists on move
SOUTH Yorkshire was today battling to return to normal following one of the heaviest snowfalls in years.
A number of schools were still closed but bus company First said it was operating a full service today.
The Snake Pass remained closed but the Woodhead Pass was reopened.
Side roads were still difficult to pass and some snow was forecast for this morning, but forecasters said it would not be as heavy.
A huge operation swung into action to try to keep Sheffield's roads clear for today's rush-hour.
More than 850 tonnes of salt was spread on Sheffield roads yesterday and all of the council's winter maintenance fleet was in operation.
All 28 council gritter machines and 10 tractor snowploughs were patrol-ling the city.
But Sheffield Council is still advising people to avoid using their cars and use public transport wherever possible.
Meanwhile, more than 80 council workers were out on foot clearing and spreading huge piles of snow.
One Street Force team had to dig three men out of car which became stuck in snow on Hathersage Road just after midnight on Thursday. And a snow plough was sent to help get an elderly man out of Low Heads Farm, in rural moorland in Bolsterstone.
One third of Sheffield is in the Peak District and some of the worst-affected areas remote from the city rise 12,000 feet about sea level.
Coun Harry Harpham, Sheffield Council's cabinet member for Streetscene, said: "The gritting teams have done a great job around the clock for the last five days to keep the main roads open.
"But the message is still to leave your car at home whenever possible and if you have to travel, use public transport.
"Motorists have been driving sensibly so far, but we would remind them to avoid blocking junctions and not to abandon their vehicles, as this can prevent access by the snow-clearance teams."
The cold snap got the better of staff at Sheffield's iceSheffield venue, which had to be closed yesterday when staff failed to make it to work.
General manager Adrian Broadbent said: "I guess it is ironic, but so many of our staff live along way away and just haven't been able to get in because of the weather conditions. It's the same for the users, all our group bookings have been cancelled."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
