Southampton and Hampshire grind to a halt after heavy snow (From Daily Echo)

Southampton and Hampshire grind to a halt after heavy snow

6:40pm Wednesday 6th January 2010 in

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THE snow has caused havoc across Hampshire, with the Met Office warning of the dangers of more snow and ice.

Across the county, hundreds of schools and colleges were closed today with many staff and pupils unable to make it in due to the weather conditions.

More than 100 have already confirmed they will be closed on Thursday, with some even to be closed on Friday as well.

Many pupils took the chance of the day off to build snowmen.

Motorists last night abandoned their vehicles after failing to negotiate the slippery roads and traffic jams.

This morning, many drivers were returning to collect their cars, with the Hedge End area affected particularly badly.

See where Echo readers are taking snow pictures

Southampton Airport closed for a short period of time, but many bus services all over Hampshire have been delayed or suspended, causing problems for commuters.

Rail services across the south have also been hit by the bad weather, with delays of up to 90 minutes being reported.

Hampshire Constabulary has warned motorists to stay off the county's roads, fearing a repeat of last night's scenes.

Extra hospital beds have been arranged with Southampton General Hospital experiencing large numbers of elderly patients with respiratory problems.

At Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital some electrive surgery was cancelled in anticipation of the need for emergency care. But those who did have to make a trip to the hospital did have a clear path, thanks to the efforts of prisoners, the army and even a patient.

The Met Office predicts the snowfall for Hampshire and Southampton to tail off this evening, and to be replaced by ice on roads and pavements.

The ice warning is in place from 4pm today, until late Thursday morning, while the risk of snow is now will be in place until 8pm this evening.