HEAVY snow closed schools and caused traffic chaos for commuters across Bury.

Four primary schools in Ramsbottom closed last Thursday (January 29), while motorists were stuck in heavy traffic because of "hazardous" driving conditions.

The primary schools of St Andrew’s, St Joseph’s, Peel Brow and Hazelhurst all shut for the day, with a number of staff living in neighbouring areas being unable to make it into work.

In addition, Broad Oak High School was closed to pupils on Friday, as the school site was deemed unsafe because of "heavy ice".

Traffic was particularly heavy in Ramsbottom, where two lorries on Bolton Road in Ramsbottom became stuck and blocked traffic, and other motorists had to abandon their cars because of the weather.

Patricia Glover, who works at a care home in Haslingden, had to abandon her car on Bolton Street in Ramsbottom last Thursday after the treacherous conditions meant she could not get to work.

Mrs Glover, of Conway Close, said: "The cold weather has been well advertised for the past few days, but there was no gritters in sight."

The 61-year-old added: "The same thing happened two weeks ago. I have let people down because I haven’t been able to get to work."

Bury Council said that gritters had been out four times since 6pm the previous night.

Bus company Rosso Transport was forced to suspend all of its services last Thursday, with the firm saying the roads were too unsafe, with routes to Ramsbottom, Summerseat and Nangreaves affected.

First Manchester was also forced to divert the 98 bus in Radcliffe for a time, via Radcliffe New Road, because of the weather conditions on Stand Lane.

There were also major delays on the 468 route between Fairfield Hospital and Rochdale.

Motorists faced heavy traffic on the M66, with the conditions being described as “hazardous” due to the snow.