Snow hits recycling schedule

RECYCLING and waste collections across the Axe Valley have been suspended today (Monday) because of the snow and ice.

A spokesman for East Devon District Council said staff could not get to the depot to even attempt to get the vehicles out onto the roads.

Visit this website for further updates on when collections will be resumed.

Towns and villages across the Axe Valley shivered and slithered as the near blizzard conditions took hold this morning.

Even four-wheeled drive vehicles struggled to cope on the slippery roads and several cars, lorries and buses were stranded.

Amongst those to get stuck was an RNLI lorry which had set out from Poole to take supplies to lifeboat stations along the south coast. Driver Steve Gee failed to make it up Gammonns Hill at Kilmington and turned back to Axminster but got stranded at the railway station and was preparing for a long day in the cold.

But at Seaton, for at least one determined trader, it was business as usual despite the snow.

Customers of New Look News in Harbour Road were delighted and somewhat amazed to find their morning papers delivered as usual.

One Sea Hill resident said: “Despite this terrible weather and understandable delays in almost everything from the post to refuse collection, my morning papers have been delivered without fail, on time, whatever the weather.

“So thanks to Marcus Hartnell and my marvellous paper girl, Diane for excellent service.”