A HUGE blizzard brought Ellesmere Port to a virtual standstill last week.
Severe weather conditions on Tuesday afternoon caused chaos for motorists in the town centre and surrounding areas.
Buses were suspended, traffic was gridlocked on the M53, A5117, A41 and Sutton Way, and Westminster Bridge had to be closed.
Commuters trying to get home to Ellesmere Port from Chester also faced lengthy delays.
One city worker from Great Sutton said: “I left Chester at 4.15pm and didn’t get home until 6.30pm in a journey that usually takes 15 minutes.
“There was just one long line of traffic along the A41 from Chester. Cars were slipping and struggling along the Backford Dip. I saw one abandoned car.”
The following day most schools in Ellesmere Port and Neston were closed due to the extreme conditions.
Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed that 130 of its 161 schools were unable to open.
The bad weather forced Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to close two hours early at 6pm for the rest of the week.
However, the Port Arcades shopping centre stayed open as usual, although some shops closed to allow staff to travel home.
The Countess of Chester Hospital reported 400 patients at A&E on Monday and Tuesday last week.
As a result of the increased pressure, health chiefs are asking people to only visit patients if it is absolutely necessary.
