Council trucks collect more salt

BBC Berkshire - snow information In Pictures: Snow disruption

A Berkshire council has sent trucks to Cheshire to collect salt supplies after stocks became low, as further freezing temperatures are forecast.

West Berkshire Council had already taken delivery of emergency stocks from other councils earlier in the week.

The authority took the decision to collect its own supplies after deliveries failed to arrive.

It comes as temperatures could plummet to -20C (-4F) in parts of the south later, setting new local records.

Gritting continues to be focused on main roads and hazardous areas, such as Tilehurst, Burghfield and Mortimer.

West Berkshire Council has been mixing its salt with sand grit to give extra traction on icy roads and help extend supplies.

The staff have been absolutely heroic - they have managed somehow to get in Joe Wise, Royal Berkshire Hospital

Meanwhile power was restored to hundreds of homes in Berkshire after many spent a night without power.

Up to 4,000 homes were initially left without electricity after heavy snow brought down power cables - half of those have now had their power restored.

Southern Electric said about 150 customers around Newbury and Reading were still waiting to be reconnected late on Thursday.

Engineers were working to repair the problems, which affected up to 20,000 people across the region.

Southern Electric spokesman Dennis Kirby said: "We have seen some unprecedented conditions.

"The heavy snow laden in the trees has actually been bringing the trees [and] branches down on to the power lines and that has caused the main issues."

Hundreds of schools are expected to remain closed on Friday.

Meanwhile teams of midwives were being deployed in 4x4 vehicles to assist a number of women in labour.

4x4 vehicles

Staff unable to get home from the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading were booked into nearby hotels.

All outpatient clinics were cancelled at Frimley Park Heatherwood and the Royal Berkshire hospitals.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital said it was only carrying out emergency treatment until the end of the week.

Spokesman Joe Wise said: "The staff have been absolutely heroic. They have managed somehow to get in.

"They have been struggling and walking miles."

South Central Ambulance Service said it added it had been reaching patients in 4x4 vehicles.

Reading Borough Council said it had also been using seven 4x4 vehicles to provide "vital" services to vulnerable people, including meals-on-wheels.

Bins collections across the county have been delayed.

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