SNOW: How the Horsham district is affected

The entire district of Horsham has been deluged by heavy snow today (Friday January 18).

Roads, schools and businesses have all been affected by the weather.

This morning a jack-knifed lorry caused long delays on the A24.

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London Road in Washington was blocked and queueing traffic was reported in both directions at the A283 The Pike junction. This has since been cleared.

Meanwhile a major road in the South Downs has been blocked by the snow and ice.

The A29 in Bury is blocked in both directions between Whiteways Lodge Roundabout and The Hollow junction.

A large majority of schools and nurseries in the district have closed.

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Rydon Community College in Storrington was among the first to close this morning.

Examinations will continue for those students who can travel to and from Steyning Grammar School safely.

Trafalgar Community Infant School in Horsham has been closed from 12 noon and has warned parents via the West Sussex County Council website that there are ‘no hot lunches on site’.

A full list of school closures can be found here

Businesses are also braving the wintry conditions so ‘not to disappoint’ their customers.

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Restaurants, shops and other services, such as Tristan’s in East Street and Arthur Lodge Vets in Brighton Road, are fully staffed and preparing for the worst as people venture out into this year’s first bout of snow.

Stocked up for the ‘panic buyers’ Truffles in West Street has ordered in extra bread just in case.

Assistant manager, Leah Daws, told the County Times: “We have a little more bread than usual to prepare for any panic buyers, so the shelves are quite full.

“We’re expecting to have some people in for lunch time, but it’s quiet here at the moment, but we’re hopeful.

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“Everyone’s here and we’re going to stay open all day as usual.”

Tristan’s Restaurant is also fully staffed and will be remaining open, even after receiving a booking cancellation.

Manager, Martin Slocombe, said: “We’re definitely open.

“The snow may affect some of our business as people might be afraid to brave the weather conditions, but we’re still fully booked for tonight, we’ve only had one cancellation, but there may be some others.

“All staff are here and we’ll stay here because we don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

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Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery is open and ready to treat poorly animals come rain or snow.

A team member said: “The surgery is open and all the staff are staying here.

“We provide a service and animals can get sick at any time.”