East Midlands: Snow causes second day of disruption

Westfield Lane in Rothley is closed from Wellsic Lane to Station Road due to a fallen tree by Rothley Court

The runway at East Midlands Airport has reopened after heavy snow caused it to be temporarily closed for a second day.

The Leicestershire airport reported operations had resumed with some delays of about three hours after flights were first halted.

Several roads in Derbyshire's Peak District remain closed due to the continued wintry weather.

Many schools across the East Midlands have also told pupils to stay at home due to the weather conditions.

It is the second time in two days the Leicestershire airport has closed its runway

Derbyshire County Council said it was dealing with a "major incident" and has warned people not to travel in the High Peak and upper Derbyshire Dales unless they "absolutely" had to.

More than a dozen roads in Derbyshire remain closed including Winnats Pass, Rushup Edge and the A57 Snake Pass.

The A621 is now open north of Owler Bar, and the A6 is open north of Bakewell, but Derbyshire Dales District Council is advising drivers avoid the latter for "anything but essential travel" as temperatures are expected to drop "dramatically" during the night.

The county council said it had 56 farmer contractors helping to clear the roads.

Wintry scenes in Buxton, Derbyshire on Friday morning

Travel conditions have also disrupted public transport with both Centrebus and Arriva suspending all bus services in Leicester earlier.

The A50 between Groby and Markfield was blocked by a backlog of lorries and cars, with police urging drivers to use other routes instead.

The city-bound carriageway has since reopened.

Leicestershire Roads Policing Unit said: "Road conditions are causing quite a lot of problems.

"Please leave extra time for your journey, give other motorists extra space and time.

"Check your vehicle before you leave, ensure that your windscreen is cleared and your lights are visible."

East Midlands Ambulance Services said its non-emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS) in Derbyshire would only be running journeys for patients with life-saving appointments.

It said: "We are working with 4x4 response across North Derbyshire to reach the highest priority PTS patients to ensure they can still get to their vital appointments."

Police said the road conditions were causing quite a lot of problems in Leicestershire

East Midlands Railway has asked its customers not to travel unless essential.

Some of its services have been suspended until further notice including the Nottingham, Mansfield and Worksop route.

"Due to the poor weather conditions we are finding it difficult to source rail replacement transport," the company said.

Two Peak District rail routes have been blocked by snow.

The closure of the Hope Valley line has stopped trains running between Manchester and Sheffield.

There are also no services between Buxton and Hazel Grove due to the Buxton line being blocked.

Network Rail said it hoped the lines would reopen on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile dozens of schools in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire are reporting closures due to the weather and poor road conditions.

Whaley Bridge Primary School and Kirkby Woodhouse School were among those not opening.

School closures

Some local authorities have listed school closures on their website:

Derbyshire County Council

Leicester City Council

Rutland County Council

Parents with children at schools in other parts of the region have been told to check with the school directly.

Weather warnings for snow are expected to end on Friday afternoon

Attractions like Matlock Farm Park and Newstead Abbey have also decided not to open in the snow.

Mansfield Town's League Two game on Saturday has been postponed.

Chesterfield Football Club will find out on Friday afternoon if their game can go ahead.

Earlier, it appealed for help to get the pitch ready for inspection.

The Met Office's amber weather warning for snow in Derbyshire is due to last until 15:00 GMT on Friday.

The yellow weather warning for the rest of the region ends at 14:00.

BBC Weather Watchers have been sharing their images of the snow across the region.

This dog decided to steer clear of the ground in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire

A thick layer of snow has settled in Blackwell, Derbyshire

Looking for somewhere warmer, a lamb in Ashbourne, Derbyshire

It is certainly not the weather for sitting outside in Buxton, Derbyshire

Perhaps it tickles his whiskers? A cat sizes up the snow in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

Snow has settled on the cars in Blaby, Leicestershire

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, had a dusting of snow overnight