Nostalgia: Mid Sussex came to a halt after weekend snow storm

In January of 1982, Mid Sussex saw the worst weather conditions for more than a century.
Ardingly Reservoir made a beautiful backdrop for this lone walkerArdingly Reservoir made a beautiful backdrop for this lone walker
Ardingly Reservoir made a beautiful backdrop for this lone walker

Raging blizzards and snow drifts up to ten feet proved a nightmare for travellers.

Cars were abandoned as heavy snow made many roads impassible and the arctic conditions took their toll on railways with long delays caused by frozen points, ice and snow on the lines.

A Burgess HIll family enjoyed some snow sports as fields turned into slopesA Burgess HIll family enjoyed some snow sports as fields turned into slopes
A Burgess HIll family enjoyed some snow sports as fields turned into slopes
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Gatwick Airport was snow-bound for most of Friday and part of Saturday.

While many took toboggans to the nearest hills, others took themselves off to hospital with broken arms and legs - the results generally of falls.

Cuckfield Hospital dealt with a steady stream of arm and leg fractures and other weather related accidents.

It was an exhausting week the men at West Sussex Road Depot at Hassocks.

Horsted Keynes a picture postcard scene more typical of Switzerland than SussexHorsted Keynes a picture postcard scene more typical of Switzerland than Sussex
Horsted Keynes a picture postcard scene more typical of Switzerland than Sussex
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The office was manned around the clock and work on the roads went on continuously from 6am on Friday to midday on Sunday.

A spokesmen for the depot paid tribute to the staff who had worked ‘incredibly long hours’.

He added his thanks to their wives who have been most understanding.

Over the weekend 2,000 tons of salt was spread on the roads and paths, where the previous year 1,000 is sufficient for the whole winter.