The Met Office prediction of heavy snow for the Isle of Wight today appears to be accurate as snow storms sweep across the Island.
Roads
Gritters have been out on the road since 2am, but many roads are slippery and caution is needed if driving. Police advise not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Street cleaners are removing snow from town centre pavements starting in Ryde and Newport.
9.25am: Gritter on way to Binstead Hill where congestion is reported. Victoria Road in Cowes is also to be manually gritted shortly.
There will be no parking enforcement in council car parks today. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
Crouchers Cross – Sandown Road, Arreton junction of East Lane, Merstone – Accident. Please avoid area.
There have been two minor road traffic incidents on the Downs Road, please avoid if possible
Longlands Shute, Bembridge (Between Yaverland Roundabout & Bembridge Airport) – Temporarily impassable due to a bus & a coach blocking road.
Travel
Red Funnel: Service is operating normally, however there are speed restrictions in force in the Solent and this may mean delays.
Wightlink: Portsmouth-Fishbourne car ferry service will be operating an hourly service from 0900 from Portsmouth Gunwharf and from 1000 from Fishbourne
Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier catamaran route is running to timetable, but passengers are advised to take extra care when using Ryde Pier
Lymington-Yarmouth car ferry service is running as normal.
Hovertravel: Delays to the service expected.
Buses: Many routes are cancelled or delayed, see Southern Vectis Twitter feed for full details.
Train: Passengers are advised that all Island Line train services are currently suspended as a result of severe weather conditions.
Schools
All school are closed.
Pupils taking exams today, Nodehill site is and CEC is only open to students with exams if they can make it in safely.
Update: A-level exams at CEC has been cancelled and rescheduled for June: more detail.
NHS 111 / 999 Calls
NHS 111 is working as normal and we have additional staff available to take calls. Members of the public are encouraged to use this number for any medical issue unless it is a life threatening issue in which case 999 should be called. The NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) has a wealth of health information as well.
Outpatient Activity and Patient Transport
Outpatient activity will continue if patients can get into hospital or their clinic. However Patient Transport Services are only available to assist with the discharge of patients. Any patient who would have relied on Patient Transport to get to their hospital appointment will have their appointment rebooked.
Operations
Patients who are booked to have operations should make every effort to attend if it is safe to do so. If for any reason a patient’s operation is to be cancelled the patient will be informed.
Home Visits
District Nursing Team and the Respiratory Team are making visits as normal where possible.
Patient Transfers Off Island
Transfers off Island will be made by ambulance because the air ambulance is unable to operate in the current weather.
Community Nurses are trying to get to as many home visits as possible. This may not be the Community Nurse you usually see because the nurses are covering each others area. The visits are also being prioritised on the basis of clinical need.
The Midwifery service will be assessing home visits as to whether they are essential. The Maternity Outpatient Department are triaging their service. Women will be contacted regarding induction of Labour and advice is being given on a case by case basis.
Council services
All council-run libraries are open today – although they plan to close at 4pm.
Crematorium open. Those due to attend services should contact the relevant funeral director to check service is taking place.
Image: Freshwater Bay Snow by Kelly Daniel
