Jersey snow: Schools to close for a third day

Jersey schools will remain closed on Wednesday for a third day because of the risk from ice on the roads, the head of education says.

Mario Lundy said he took the decision for the safety of parents and children.

All flights also remain suspended at Jersey Airport and are not expected to resume until after 14:00 GMT on Wednesday.

About 90 homes remain without power after debris damaged about 20 power lines on Monday.

Snow built up on roads overnight, some of which are still blocked by fallen trees and abandoned cars.

Mr Lundy said: "Many of the smaller and country roads have drift and danger from trees. The consensus of opinion is to keep school traffic off roads and give transport officers a chance for clear-up.

"It is going to stay below freezing tonight and the roads could be more treacherous without snow because of the ice."

Heavy snow and gale force winds are predicted until about 15:00 GMT

Chris Ambler, from Jersey Electricity, said more overhead power lines were damaged overnight and a team of about 30 engineers were working to fix them.

He said about 30 or 40 homes were facing a second night without power as engineers are not able to get access to power lines due to deep snow and fallen trees.

Jersey's Met Department said the depth of snow was measured at 09:00 GMT and it was 5.5 inches (14cm).

But a spokesman said drifts around the island were much deeper.

'Roads treacherous'

Jersey Police are urging drivers to stay off the roads unless their journeys are essential.

Ellen Littlechild, from Transport and Technical Services, said staff had been clearing major roads all night on Monday but the conditions were still "treacherous."

She said: "We are making some headway... it is slushy but certainly on the major roads there is so much snow drift along those roads that it makes driving conditions very difficult."

Meal on Wheels had to cancel its service on Tuesday because it was too dangerous for its drivers to reach its 80 clients who receive hot meals.

Couple trapped

BBC Weather forecaster David Brain said Jersey's weather conditions could make the record books.

More trees fell as firefighters rescued a trapped couple

He said the island was facing some of the coldest and snowiest March weather since records began.

He said the previous record for March snowfall is the 9cm (3.5ins) which fell in 1962.

Earlier, two people were trapped under one of the dozens of trees that fell during gale force winds, heavy snow and blizzards on Monday.

A Jersey Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said while the emergency services were rescuing the couple, more trees fell blocking their path.

A Health Department spokeswoman said the couple remained in hospital and were in a stable condition. Their injuries are not life-threatening.