Doncaster woke up to a blanket of snow yesterday but most people kept calm and carried on.
Twenty schools closed but bus services were largely unaffected and major roads were well gritted so the majority of people struggled in to work and failed to be daunted.
It was ‘business as usual’ for Doncaster police and emergency services said there were no major incidents related to the white stuff, although Doncaster Royal Infirmary noted an increase in fall injuries at the accident and emergency department as the day wore on.
A spokesman for Doncaster Royal Infirmary said: “The majority of staff reported to work as usual.
“We are starting to experience an increase in the number of people attending our emergency departments. We ask people to choose wisely and support us in keeping them for emergencies only.”
About three inches of snow fell overnight but it was forecast and local authority gritters were prepared for it.
Since Friday they have spread more than 350 tonnes of rock salt on the borough’s roads and none has had to be closed.
Although the town centre was fairly quiet yesterday, the impact of the Sunday night snow was nowhere near as bad as December 2010 when many shops had to close and there was major work absenteeism because of impassable roads.
Doncaster’s Deputy Mayor Coun Cynthia Ransome yesterday went to the council’s North Bridge depot to praise workers for their sterling efforts over the weekend.
Some 500km of the ‘precautionary network’ was treated and 300km of the secondary network, assisted by farmers with ploughs.
All major routes were covered overnight with 11 snowploughs out and they continued after dawn. Farmers had also been out overnight tackling rural routes.
Coun Cynthia Ransome said: “Well done to our highways staff. I have been down to our North Bridge depot this morning and they are working tirelessly day and night to keep Doncaster moving.
“I would urge drivers to take care on the roads and leave extra time for journeys. Pedestrians should wrap up warm and wear appropriate footwear.
“Remember to look out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours during this cold snap.”
Waste and recycling collections operated as normal but because transport was unable to get down side roads, the borough’s Social Education Centres were closed.
The list of school closures included Coppice Hatfield, Denaby Main Primary, Don Valley Academy, Victoria and Hill Top primaries at Edlington,
McAuley Catholic High at Cantley, Mexborough, Morley Place Conisbrough, North Ridge Community; Outwood Academy Adwick, Pennine View Conisbrough,
Scawsby Rosedale, Sprotbrough Orchard, Rowena and The De Warren Academy, Conisbrough; Thorne Green Top, Tickhill Estfeld and St Mary’s primaries in Tickhill, Travis St Lawrence Primary, and Wadworth Primary.
Rossington All Saints’ Academy was open for exams only, and their parents’ evening was called off.
First 58 bus service was only operating in one direction through Bessacarr, the 76 was not using Norwich Road at Wheatley, and 86/86A avoided Highfield Road, Highfield Crescent and Durham Avenue in Thorne.
Robin Hood Airport was closed for most of the morning but their snow teams managed to clear the runway before mid-day.
At lunchtime a spokesman for Robin Hood Airport said: “The runway is now open and we have a flight to Sharm el-Sheikh ready to go.
“We do advise passengers to speak to their airline before travelling and to allow extra time to get to the airport.”
A Star Gazing event which was due to take place this evening with a mobile planetarium at Balby Carr Sports and Science College has also been cancelled.
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