Snow fails to halt Aston Villa game - but expected to cause chaos
WEATHERMEN tonight warned that roads across the West Midlands could become very dangerous after snow began falling across the region this evening.
Several centremetres of snow were reported as falling across many parts of Birmingham, with the snowfall at Aston Villa's ground clear to see as the club's game against Liverpool was played live on TV.
According to the UK Snow map, which enables people to update reports for their area via Twitter, snow was reported as falling in Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Wolverhampton, parts of south Staffordshire and in Birmingham city centre and suburbs including Acocks Green, Northfield, Kingstanding and Digbeth.
In Harborne, there were reports of cars sliding down streets as drivers struggled to cope with the conditions.
Weather experts said much of the snow could turn to ice overnight.
On the region's motorways, traffic was relatively light due to the Christmas holidays, but one lane was shut between junctions five and six on the M6 northbound after an accident at around 9pm today.
Further north, around junction 10 for Walsall, Highways Agency cameras showed the snow sticking to the carriageways, making for dangerous driving conditions.
Councils continued to have gritters out on major roads, but drivers were warned by motoring organisations to be careful on minor roads in the morning as they will probably ice over.
The snow soon began to cause problems at Birmingham Airport, with flights from Tenerife, Murcia, Dublin and Hannover all diverted to other airports with many other flights delayed. Outbound flights were also delayed.
Weather forecasts say the snow will continue overnight, but become sleet during the course of tomorrow morning. That sleet could continue into New Year's Eve.
People needing medical treatment in the West Midlands were tonight asked to think twice before dialling 999.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said the Christmas holidays is one of its busiest times of year and it wants the public to consider whether they need an ambulance before calling 999.
Anthony Marsh, chief executive of the service, said: "The number of 999 calls received by the service at present is still extremely high, with the winter months and Christmas holiday period traditionally being our busiest time of year.
"Staff are working very hard around the region to ensure all patients are treated as quickly as possible, but I am urging the public to stop and think very, very carefully before dialling 999.
"We would ask that you use common sense and use other health resources where appropriate."
The service is asking people with minor injuries to call NHS Direct instead on 0845 4647 or visit their GP surgery.
