SWINDON residents have been warned to take extreme care as more severe weather is on its way.

Gritters took to the town’s 14 priority roads last night and were still doing the rounds in the early hours of this morning as temperatures remained below zero.

Nova Hreod school is expected to remain closed today after freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall forced it to close yesterday along with Nylands Special School, St Mary’s Primary School and Ridgeway School.

Seven priority A roads and seven priority B roads have been gritted, along with supermarket car parks and heavily used rural roads, keeping gritters busy right through the night.

Derek Edgington, Swindon Council’s acting highways maintenance manager, said: “We have received a severe weather warning from the MET office and as a result will be out in the borough gritting all priority routes.

“We’re advising drivers that the roads may be very slippery and to check the Swindon council website for their nearest gritted roads.”

Residents living in icy areas are also advised to make use of nearby grit bins.

The Great Western Hospital is warning elderly or vulnerable residents not to go out in the bad weather unless absolutely necessary.

Hospital spokeswoman Teri Stevans said: “Stay wrapped up and indoors unless you absolutely have to go out. If you must leave your home take great care walking along pavements.

“Also, if you have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, try to check on them and see if they need any provisions or help.”

Schools weren’t the only services affected with many First Great Western Trains brought to a standstill.

Jim Slater, from Grange Park, who was travelling to London, said: “It is pretty annoying. It seems every time something like this happens there are so many delays.

“What I would like to know is does this happen in every other country when it snows?”

All trains between 1.30pm and 4pm from Swindon to London Paddington were cancelled with some from Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads delayed or cancelled as well.

Commuter Kathy Bales, from the town centre, was forced to wait on the platform for the next available train to Bristol Temple Meads as she desperately tried to make it to an important appointment.

“I don’t think I am going to make an appointment I had planned this morning,” she said. “But hey, it is the weather, what are you going to do? I will be waiting an extra 45 minutes.”

Moe Khan, from the town centre, travelling to Bristol, said: “I don’t take the train that often but when I do it is usually late. So this is no different just that there is another reason this time.”

Commuters are advised to check train details on www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk before travelling.

To check for your nearest available gritted roads check www.swindon.gov.uk.