Dorset is counting the cost after the most severe snowstorm in a decade brought days of disruption to the county.

Conditions returned to normal over the weekend, with most roads cleared and bus and rail operators resuming usual service by Sunday.

Great Western Railways Services remained suspended between Weymouth and Westbury yesterday due to the earlier weather conditions, and First’s X51 service was unable to run between Bridport and Axminster.

But as the ice and snow receded, attention turned to the impact of the weather. 

Photographer Graham Hunt found a car abandoned in a snow drift around three-foot high on a small road off the A35 near Eggardon Hill, between Litton Cheney and West Compton.

Dorset Echo:

Picture: Graham Hunt

Mr Hunt added that he had spotted contractors out all day on Saturday, clearing rural roads.

Dorset County Council’s highways team remained on duty, with snow ploughs continuing to make sure the A37 was accessible to motorists.
Yesterday, those who had abandoned cars in the snow were asked to return to collect them when it was safe to do so.

A spokesman for DCC thanked everyone who had sent messages of support to highways staff, as well as thanking all the farmers and 4x4 volunteers for their help.

With much of the snow gone in Weymouth by Saturday, farmers and gritters battled on in the county’s rural areas.

But the snow and rough seas, combined with a spring tide and an easterly gale, left their own impact on Weymouth, with much of the resort’s award-winning beach swept out to sea or deposited on the Esplanade.

Pictures show lobster pots and debris flung up onto the beach, with large swathes of sand cut away.

Dorset Echo:

Picture: Peter Tarrant

Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s tourism spokesman, reassured residents that the beach will be back to normal as soon as possible.

He said: “It is the forces of nature and it has happened before. I’m sure residents of the borough are fully aware of it. As before, it will be returned to its former glory as soon as possible.

“We do appreciate that Weymouth and Portland relies on its beach, and the summer season is approaching.”

Parts of Commercial Road and the roads around Weymouth Harbour were also flooded on Saturday, with flood alerts – meaning be prepared – in place over the weekend for two hours after high tide. The Environment Agency, which is responsible for issuing warnings, urged property owners around the harbour who have flood protection equipment to install it.

Dorset Echo:

Picture: Helen Handford

In West Bay the flood gates were closed yesterday as a precautionary measure, with forecast wind strength of up to force five. The flood alert here remained in place for two hours from this morning’s high tide.

Conditions in Swanage were even more dramatic, with temporary flood defences deployed at the Square and the stone pier, as a flood warning – meaning immediate action required – put in place.

Conditions over the rest of the week are expected to remain settled, with temperatures of up to eight degrees Celsius, warming up towards the weekend, and scattered showers.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “It will become milder, although still with the risk of fog, frost and ice overnight. There will be outbreaks of rain, but with light winds and also some brighter spells.”