Snow has thrown Bradford into chaos as the cold snap rages on – making the roads and footpaths treacherous and icy.
More than 180 schools in the city have closed their doors in response to the unforgiving weather. Snow has battered down on the West Yorkshire city with piles of the white stuff lining the main roads and side streets, making almost every turn a potential hazard.
A grandmother spoke of how her car, surrounded by mountains of snow, had been stuck on a main road for three days. Although, she was more concerned about that vulnerable were unable to get her warm space community sessions.
A doting daughter spoke of how she had to walk a 10-mile round trip to get to her dad’s funeral – with many unable to attend. A mum, whose kids have been off school, spoke of how her community came together to free other people’s cars from the snowfall. A young man spoke of how he was having to walk ‘everywhere’ as he says his buses haven’t been running.
Pensioner Samitra Mistry, 62, based in Wibsey, has not been able to move her car for three days since it began snowing on Sunday (January, 5). The gran of one, however, is mostly concerned about her Warm Space volunteer programme being cancelled at the Woodside Community Centre. She threats over the vulnerable people she helps who will be missing out on the warmth and some well needed company.
Snow in Bradford
(Image: Samuel Port)
Samitra said: “I can’t get my car out. It’s been there since it snowed. I parked it there on Sunday. The icing on the cake is that normally when I park my car there, people smash into it – but this time they can’t!
“A lot of people like myself are retired, like myself, and the Woodside Centre is part of my wellbeing. The only reason I’m walking outside today is that I need interaction. Normally, I go out and about during the day and I am never in my house. I haven’t been able to go to the gym, I’ve had to cancel my PT session.”
Doting daughter and charity support worker Victoria, 49, opened up about the nightmare experience she had ahead of her dad’s funeral yesterday (Monday).
Victoria said: “Unfortunately, it was my dad’s funeral yesterday and we had to the church there and back again. We couldn’t get the car out and we couldn’t get a taxi. It was a five mile trip. I could walk it but not everybody could as everything was covered in ice.
“Loads of folk couldn’t come as they couldn’t even get out. It felt fairly typical, I suppose. It happens every winter and we never seem to improve on it.”
Mum-of-two Jade Roberts has said the last few days have been challenging with everyone on her street blocked in.
Henry and Mollie Roberts, six and nine, have been enjoying the snow
(Image: Samuel Port)
Jade said: “We’re in terraced houses so it’s kind of like, if you do one [then a neighbour’s space] it doesn’t really make much difference. So, we’ve had a few different people from different streets helping to dig out a friend whose car got stuck on our street.
“People who were coming out, their cars were getting stuck while they were digging her car out. We’ve been feeling it today! All the kids were helping, as well.”
Jade, a campaign manager, added that looking after her children Mollie and Henry, nine and six, had been fine as she works from home – but she worried for the parents who didn’t have that benefit. Especially a teacher friend who was having to look after her own pair of children while teaching classes online.
Jack Fearn, 20, has been having to stomp through the snow for the past few days – and has been growing concerned over how icy it has become.
Jack said: “I’ve had to walk everywhere. It’s not the best. No buses are running, and that doesn’t help. I’ve had to make half an hour, 45-minute walks. It’s not the best, is it? But it does me some good. Today it’s been worse with it being all iced over.
“A lot of being stuck and people having been helping each other get out, it sort of brings everyone together.”
Jack Fearn has been having to walk ‘everywhere’ in the snow
(Image: Samuel Port)
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