Seven-year glitch: how we coped

SNOW that hit Ipswich and Suffolk overnight was the region's worst for seven years. This is how we coped today on our snowiest morning since 1996.

IPSWICH HOSPITAL

Ipswich Hospital's accident and emergency department was expecting to be extremely busy today.

Hospital spokeswoman, Jan Rowsell said yesterday was busy and urged people to take extra precautions with their clothing and allow more time for their journeys today.

She said: "On an average day A&E staff treat between 140 and 150 patients a day but yesterday there was a marked increase.

"Mainly it was due to falls, slips and trips and we urge people to wear shoes or boots with soles that grip properly. This will cut down on the number of falls.

"Also, wrap up warmly. By wearing plenty of clothing you are not only helping yourself to keep warm but it acts as extra padding if you fall."

Allowing extra time to get from A to B can also prevent falling due to rushing to your destination, she added.

All staff that can get in to work at Ipswich Hospital have done so but there are some living in outlying areas who were cut off and not able to get to work.

Ms Rowsell said: "Those who have come in to work have made a magnificent effort to do so."

She said that the outpatients' clinics would all probably be open today but anyone with an appointment is asked to telephone beforehand just to check their clinic is running.

IPSWICH BUSES

Ipswich Buses routes were all being served and a spokesman said they were "more or less" running to time.

"There may be some slight delay on some routes but in the main things are normal. Slightly different outside of the town however with a few hold ups on the Debenham and Somersham routes. We also had difficulty getting through Tuddenham which was blocked early on," he added.

First Buses are continuing to operate in Ipswich but there are delays and disruptions to most services due to slow traffic. Early today no buses were running in Bury.

For further information call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.

GRITTING

Suffolk County Council gritters were out and about from 4am today and a spokeswoman said the west of the area was the worst affected.

"Although our whole fleet of gritters were out from the early hours the treatment only begins to work when vehicles begin driving on the treated roads.

"All the main gritting was done early and throughout the day snow clearing will be done. Larger snow ploughs will be in the worst affected rural areas and in towns it will be cleared by workers using hand shovels."

TRAINS

Anglia Railways services are "not too bad considering the conditions", said spokesman Peter Meades.

The main lines is running on time but because of a points failure in Essex some services were about 20 minutes late early today.

"We had a points failure on the Ipswich to Cambridge line which caused some delays but the Ipswich to Lowestoft and the Ipswich to Felixstowe services were normal," he added.

"When you consider the conditions generally and how bad the roads have been we are pleased that the rail links are generally not too bad," he said.

First Great Eastern train services across the region were delayed by anything up to half an hour.