The area is bracing itself as Storm Emma approaches, meeting the ’Beast from the East’ that has already covered much of the North in heavy snow. The South West has been issued with a red weather alert, meaning there is a risk to life, and motorists are being warned to avoid unnecessary journeys. This morning, schools began closing with most now shut and those that are open are due to close around lunchtime. For details on this, please check the local authority website: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/school-closures

At 10 am this morning most bus services (including Park & Rides) were operating.

The exceptions are:

67 & 672 (Abus) – At risk of curtailment owing to conditions in the Chew Valley

768 (CT Coaches) – NO SERVICE

School services 441, 443, 460 – NO SERVICE

School service 991 – Afternoon journey to operate at 1300

Delays are occurring at Dunkerton, Widcombe and on the A4 east of Bath affecting services 2, 172, 173, 174, 272 and U2.

There are service delays on some First Bus routes as follows:

Route 2 on the A36 Through Widcombe

the U1 and U2 University Services

271 and 272 from wiltshire

Please go to www.travelwest.info for the latest information

Please check what the situation is before leaving home:

For information on rail services, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

For information on local bus services, visit www.travelwest.info

Heavier snow is expected after 2pm today (Thursday) which could make travel on Friday very difficult. Road temperatures are below freezing and will remain below freezing until Friday late evening at the earliest. The latest advice from Highways England is for all road users to keep off the roads from 8 pm until 2 am Friday morning due to the chance of freezing rain.Snow falls could also be patchy and road conditions and pavements will be icy. This means that driving conditions will be tricky - please take care and travel prepared.

B&NES says its Highways team gritted the roads last night and will be on call. It says it will be monitoring the conditions and carrying out further inspections.

There are 400 grit bins across Bath and North East Somerset. If you have a grit bin near to your house you can use it on public paths and roads.

There may also be delays to waste collections - residents are advised to leave containers out and rubbish will be collected as soon as possible.

There are Severe Weather Emergency Provisions at Julian House’s Manvers Street hostel in Bath: extra beds and hot meals are being made available for any rough sleeper. If you are concerned about anyone who may be sleeping rough then please report your concerns via the link: www.streetlink.org.uk.

Any winter weather problems should be reported either via the online form www.bathnes.gov.uk/reportit or to Council Connect on 01225 394041.

Residents are urged to check on any vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours.All of the Council's offices, including libraries, have been closed to the public from 1 pm on Thursday, with recycling centres closing from 2 pm. They do not anticipate opening on Friday as the bad weather continues. Waste collections will only be picked up from gritted routes.