Birmingham has been plunged into wintry chaos after snowfall and sub-zero temperatures transformed city streets into hazardous ice rinks on Friday, January 2. The disruptive conditions, which fell under a yellow weather warning, led to widespread transport issues and multiple accidents across the region.
Transport Network Thrown into Disarray
National Express West Midlands was forced to divert 15 bus routes across Birmingham, Solihull, Willenhall, West Bromwich, and Oldbury due to the treacherous driving surfaces. The scale of the disruption was significant, with reports of numerous accidents emerging throughout the day.
One of the most notable incidents involved a double-decker bus which ploughed into a bus stop in Perry Barr. Further collisions were reported in Handsworth and Hockley, where cars slid into each other on the icy roads. The conditions were so severe that one bus was left stranded on Queslett Road, emblematic of the day's travel nightmares.
Bitter Cold to Grip City Overnight
Forecasters from the Met Office have warned that the situation is set to become even more perilous overnight, with temperatures expected to plummet to a bone-chilling -5C. This follows a day which saw a mix of rain, sleet, and snow clear to leave sunshine, but with a cold breeze keeping the maximum temperature at just 4C.
The forecast for Birmingham indicates a widespread and potentially harsh frost developing under clear skies tonight. Saturday is expected to remain dry and sunny but persistently cold, with a high of only 3C and another frosty night to follow. The outlook from Sunday to Tuesday suggests more of the same: cold, dry days with winter sunshine and sharp frosts overnight, potentially turning cloudier with rain or hill snow by Tuesday.
Council and Police Issue Warnings
In response to the ongoing freeze, Birmingham City Council has confirmed its gritting teams will be back on duty. "It's going to be another cold night ahead of us, which means our teams will start gritting roads again later today," a council spokesperson said. The plan is to treat carriageways from 4pm and footpaths from 4am on Saturday morning.
West Midlands Police seized the opportunity to issue a crucial warning to motorists defrosting their vehicles. The force highlighted a seasonal spike in thefts from driveways where cars are left running unattended.
Police strongly advised drivers to stay with their vehicles while they warm up, using de-icer or a scraper instead. They cautioned that leaving a car running, even if locked with a spare key, presents a prime opportunity for thieves who can smash a window and drive away in seconds. The warning extended to insurance, noting that many policies will not cover thefts under these circumstances.
As Birmingham braces for another intensely cold night, residents are urged to exercise extreme caution on the roads and pavements, and to heed safety advice to protect both themselves and their property.
