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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Flying into Manchester tomorrow, driving to Sheffield

36 replies

Booboostwo · 15/12/2018 07:48

AIBU to ask you for hourly updates on the weather, snow and driving conditions?

We really need to get into Sheffield before Wednesday as DD is having an operation to remove her external fixator that has been lengthening her leg for the last six months. This bloody thing has to come off now, I have had it with pins, screws, infections, inflammations and the wheelchair.

Tell me we are going to make it! If we don’t I don’t know when they will fit us in again around the holidays.

OP posts:

Ifailed · 15/12/2018 07:51

don't know about driving, but there are trains to Sheffield every 1/2 hour so so tomorrow & you can monitor their progress on-line?

Ifailed · 15/12/2018 07:51

or so

MyArris · 15/12/2018 07:56

I'm in Manchester. It's just cold. No snow. Rain forecast from 11am pretty much all day and some strong winds. Brrrrrrrrr !

bumbletoes · 15/12/2018 07:57

If you type 'Hallam head' into the met office website you will get a detailed forecast for a high part of Sheffield that leads towards the Snake. After heavy snow today the forecast is for some degrees above freezing so travelling will be fine. Gritters have been out already. By tomorrow I think all should be clear.

Karwomannghia · 15/12/2018 07:57

The main route I’m sure you know is the A57 snake pass and it does close in bad weather. You will be able to check online. However there are other ways including motorway which will just take a bit longer and you will definitely make it on Wednesday.

LoniceraJaponica · 15/12/2018 07:58

If there is any hint of snow avoid Snake Pass. It always closes at the first flake of snow. If Woodhead looks dodgy I would go the longer way round via the M62.

I will try and keep you updated if you like as our local Facebook page is excellent at keeping everyone informed about the local roads/weather etc.

bumbletoes · 15/12/2018 08:00

As I am just off the main route from Manchester to Sheffield on the Sheffield side I am more than happy to look out of my window across the hills to let you know the situation though. Glossop online and the snake inn on twitter are useful sources too.

Pigletpoglet · 15/12/2018 08:04

Best info for the Snake is here:
glossop.online/traffic/a57-snake-pass-traffic-live.php

Other option is to come through Stockport, then round Tideswell and head to Chesterfield, which is slower and lower (Sat nav may try and bring you through Castleton - don't go that way! Winnat's Pass will be worse than the Snake). Buxton/Chapel weather and road conditions are here:
glossop.online/traffic/a57-snake-pass-traffic-live.php

Absolute worst case scenario, you can head down the M6, cross the pennines on the A50, and come back up the M1. Or, as PP said, get the train - that's only been completely stopped twice in 60 years...

Can you tell I have this problem regularly?! Good luck!

WhiteDust · 15/12/2018 08:05

Are you travelling today. Sunday, Monday or Tuesday?
Snake & Woodhead open today with skid risk warning.

Birdsgottafly · 15/12/2018 08:06

You'll get there.

It's a two hour drive, if conditions aren't great. One and a half hours on the train.

I'm doing Liverpool to Manchester on Monday, weather is fine, its a bit frosty for this time of year, but nothing extreme that you couldn't get there.

chaoscategorised · 15/12/2018 08:09

I'm near Sheffield, cold but no snow or anything here at the moment :-) you can search for the motorway cameras on the M62 and then if you look for the high points (Shaw is usually the best one) it'll show you what it's like up there! One sec, I'll find it...

TheQueef · 15/12/2018 08:14

A57 here. Gritted last night and this morning.
Amber warning for freezing rain later today. Try to avoid the shopping traffic near meadowhall and if it's feasible come on the train.
Have a safe journey, hope all goes well with DD.

WhiteDust · 15/12/2018 08:15

Sorry, just read again. Flying into Manchester tomorrow. If Snake and Woodhead are closed (unlikely for 3 days) you just drive the long way round and avoid both!

Original poster

Booboostwo · 15/12/2018 08:19

We are flying to Manchester tomorrow morning, not too early so I hope it will be under control by then. We have a taxi booked for Sheffield which is just the easiest with the wheelchair, suitcases, young children, etc.

If the worst comes to the worst and Manchester airport is closed we’ll try to get into London and take a train up in a couple of days.

Can you tell I am panicking?!!! DH is refusing to indulge me with second by second weather updates and discussions of possible disasters! 😜

OP posts:

LoniceraJaponica · 15/12/2018 08:51

OK. I have just looked at the locl weather forecast (I live just off Woodhead).

You can stop panicking. After today the temperatures are going to rise. From tomorrow onwards it will be 6 degrees or higher. I assume you are going to the wonderful Sheffield Children's Hospital - they saved DD's life when she was a tiny baby. I wish you all the best for your visit.

WhiteDust · 15/12/2018 08:59

You will be fine!!! There are several routes you could take and you'll get there!

Russiawithlove · 15/12/2018 08:59

Don't panic. I'm in North Manchester and risk of snow is now until 12. Then rain so it won't settle.
I'd personally use the M62 from Manchester to Sheffield.

I can drive it in roughly an hour. The M62 is always heavily gritted. Avoid Woodhead or Snake Pass.

ViragoKnows · 15/12/2018 09:01

I love that drive

I’m sure you'll be fine

sackrifice · 15/12/2018 09:02

Stop panicking, it will be fine.

I don't blame you for booking a taxi, the Trans Pennine Express to Sheffield is always rammed and a complete nightmare.

Original poster

Booboostwo · 15/12/2018 15:26

Yes we’re headed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital...we’re regulars! 🤣

Gilets jaunes are going bonkers today but hopefully they will be sleeping off their hangover by tomorrow morning and we’ll have a straight run to the airport.

OP posts:

brizzledrizzle · 15/12/2018 15:33

As others have said, use the M62 and avoid both the passes - personally I always avoided them when snow was forecast as they close at the drop of a hat and they are horrible when it's icy as it is at the moment. I'm not local to the area but know the roads round there well as I often go there.

SlowlyShrinking · 15/12/2018 15:33

Get the bbc weather app so you can keep checking the weather for the next few days. I’m sure you probably won’t have any problems though, especially as you’ve got a few days to play with!

tillytrotter1 · 15/12/2018 16:54

The trains run from Manchester Airport itself. I've not heard of snow yet, if the Snake Pass is closed then the Woodhead may still be open. The M62 is the other alternative, down the M1 to Sheffield. Personally, if you're worried I would get the train.

italiancortado · 15/12/2018 16:57

Manchester airport wont be closed.

Aragog · 15/12/2018 17:02

Today it is fine in Sheffield - we are not that far from the A57 to Manchester, and fairly high up. Had some rain, possibly sleet, but no snow, and as the moment the roads are fine re ice.

Snake Pass will have ice warnings, but a local taxi will know which is the best route to take depending on the weather. You have a few options travel wise.

It is very unlikely the airport will be closed.

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