Community
PM Rolling Update
Good afternoon
Hi everyone! We’re going to do updates for the rest of the day through this page, if we’ve missed something, feel free to drop us a comment on FB or Twitter and we’ll add it as we go along.
6pm Gov Update
Weather conditions for this evening and overnight have been reviewed and an announcement on whether schools will open tomorrow will be made at 7am.
A gritting programme has been established taking into account the latest forecast information, and the Highway Services team at the Department of Infrastructure will once again be working through the night to help keep the island moving.
Residents are encouraged to use the roadside salt bins to grit the areas around their homes and to also check on vulnerable neighbours who may appreciate some support.
Anyone taking to the roads is advised to do so with caution and to expect challenging conditions in places.
Driving conditions have improved in most areas as the day has progressed. A number of cars were abandoned earlier and owners are encouraged to collect them this evening, if it is safe to do so. This will help keep roads as clear as possible, particularly to allow unhindered access for buses and the emergency services.
Bus services are steadily recovering but it is still not possible to run a full timetable at the present time. Visit the findmybus.im facility to see which services are currently on the road.
Manx Care is advising people that its services will be operating as normal tomorrow, based on the current forecast.
Others
Tynwald will sit at the later time of 11.30am.
We expect the Dr Ranson tribunal to resume at 10am
The NSC will not open until at least 8.30am tomorrow morning and that will depend in the situation in the morning
Manx Care
Manx Care sites are currently experiencing critical staffing pressures due to travel difficulties and the ongoing forecast. They are expecting further staff to arrive across our sites however they are significantly delayed.
Aqua natal is also cancelled for today. If any pregnant woman has any concerns or needs advice, they should not hesitate to contact the maternity unit on 650030 where the midwives will be happy to help.
Please also note that Ambulance are operating at REAP 4 which is the highest level of pressure due to issues across the road network, therefore response to 999 calls will be significantly impacted.
The Manx Emergency Doctors Service (MEDS) is for emergencies – for anything routine, please contact your own GP practice at the next opportunity.
Police
‘Remember snow is not fun for everyone and we ask that younger people out on sledges and making snowballs are mindful of others who are going about their business or have no choice but to stay in doors.
‘Also please be aware of where you choose to enjoy the snow and the ability of the emergency services to get to your location if you required them. We have had reports of quadbikes up on the mountain where our ambulances would struggle to get to at the moment.’
Roads
The Civil Defence says that the DoI are out gritting roads and will continue throughout the night. If you have a salt box near to you, this is the time to put some salt down on public footpaths and the roads, this will help later on.
It is likely that the roads will freeze again tonight.
Richmond Hill is now open and passable with care
Baldrine and Laxey now passable with extreme care
The following roads will remain closed overnight:
Buses
Keep up to date with real time tracking before heading out! www.Findmybus.im
Services
Post Office HQ, the Post Office in Ramsey and vehicle licensing counters are now closed. There will be no postal collections taking place form businesses, post offices or post boxes. There will be no dispatch of mail this evening.
All the island’s swimming pools are closed, as are all the facilities at the NSC.
The Villa Gaiety is shut for the rest of the day.
