Published: February 6, 2009
Disruption as Burnham-On-Sea gets fresh downfall of snow

Heavy snow has fallen in Burnham-On-Sea, causing the closure of schools, services and businesses in the town today (Friday, February 6th).

Schools closed include King Alfred School, Burnham Infants, St Andrew's School, Brent Knoll Primary School, St John's Junior School, Highbridge Childrens Centre, Berrow School and West Huntspill School. In total, 184 out of 284 schools across Somerset have been shut due to the adverse weather.

Two lanes of the M5 motorway at Burnham were closed overnight and local roads have only been passable with extreme care.

Police urged motorists not to make non-essential trips in the area. "The winter weather has made driving conditions on many of the region's roads extremely dangerous. Drivers are advised to take tremendous care if your journey is essential," a spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

Several businesses in Burnham town centre were closed on Friday due to staff shortages caused by the weather.

Among them was Nat West bank, who placed this advice notice outside their branch in Burnham's Regent Street.

Bus services were also hit in the Burnham area, with Stagecoach, Berry's and Webberbus no operating any services at 9am this morning.

A severe weather warning was issued by the Met Office for the south west region on Thursday evening, alerting residents to the possibility of heavy snow.

Our photos show the centre of Burnham this morning. The latest flurries began at 10.30pm on Thursday [see night photos here] and by midnight there was already three centimetres of snow in Burnham, with a further three inches falling by 8.30am on Friday.

Have you taken photos of the snow in Burnham? Send them to us by clicking here.

RELATED LINKS:

Photos of Friday's snow in Burnham-On-Sea
Video coverage of the snow in Burnham-On-Sea
Accidents blamed on icy road conditions
Sledging fun on Brent Knoll