30/11/2010 - Winter weather latest : Cumbria County Council

Council services in Cumbria continue to battle the wintry conditions.

Twenty five schools throughout the county were confirmed shut this morning.

That includes twenty primary and infants schools and five secondary schools.

Ellenborough & Ewanrigg

Ennerdale & Kinniside

Kirkby Stephen Grammar

Kirkby Stephen Primary

St Bridget's, Egremont

St Gregory & St Patrick's

Hospital and home tuition in Whitehaven has also been affected.

Parents and carers are being urged to tune into local media or log onto their websites, including www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria

, for the latest information on potential school closures in Cumbria tomorrow.

A school's first priority in deciding whether to open will always be the health and safety of pupils and staff. The decision will be taken by the head teacher.

On the roads, Cumbria's fleet of 30 gritters are continuing to work around the clock to keep the county open for business.

The only Cumbria Highways routes currently reported as being closed are the A592 Kirkstone Pass, the A686 Hartside and the B6277 between Alston and Middleton-in-Teesdale. However certain roads are only passable with care so motorists are advised to drive carefully and plan extra time for their journeys given the conditions.

For winter maintenance purposes, Cumbria’s road network is divided into first, second and third priority routes. First priority routes are gritted within three hours, second priority routes are gritted within five hours and third priority routes are gritted only during periods of prolonged icy conditions and when the first and second priority roads are clear.

For more details on priority routes and winter driving advice visit http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/highways-pavements/highway-maintenance/wintermaintenance/Saltingyourroadsinwinter.asp

As well as gritting the first and second priority routes, more minor roads listed as third priority are being treated due to the extend nature of the cold snap.

Replenishment of the county's 10,000 grit bins and salt heaps is also being carried out.

County council care workers have also been working hard to protect vulnerable people during the cold snap, with carers continuing to visit people in their homes and alternative arrangements put in place where necessary. Day care services in Copeland have been cancelled again today.

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.