By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
At least ten schools have closed across Nottinghamshire as the county faces rising temperatures amid a red weather warning for extreme heat.
The Met Office has issued the alert – the most serious level possible for heat – on Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19, in much of central England including Nottingham.
The MET Office says this is the first time there has been a forecast of 40 degrees centigrade (104F) in the UK. The current record high temperature in the UK is 38.7 degrees, reached at Cambridge Botanic Garden on July 25 in 2019.
In Nottingham, temperatures are expected to rise to 37 degrees on Monday and 39 degrees on Tuesday. The MET Office says the severity of the weather can lead to serious illness or danger to life.
There are expected to be delays on roads, road closures, and cancellations to rail and air travel.
Archway Learning Trust – which has schools across Nottinghamshire – made the decision to shut schools on Monday and Tuesday for “the welfare of our students and staff”.
The academies in the Trust are: Bluecoat Primary Academy, Bluecoat Trent Academy, Bluecoat Beechdale Academy, Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, Bluecoat Aspley Academy, Bluecoat Sixth Form, The Nottingham Emmanuel School, Lees Brook Community School. Alvaston Moor Academy and The Long Eaton School.
The majority of other schools are expected to remain open.
The Government has opted against instructing to schools to shut, and is instead asking headteachers to take steps to ensure pupils and staff stay cool.
Councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have also made preparations for the heatwave.
A spokesman for Nottingham City Council said: “With extremely hot weather forecast for Monday and Tuesday, please make sure you protect yourself and others from too much sun or heat.
“Carry water when travelling and protect those, such as young children or older people, who feel the heat more than others. Stay indoors if you can but if you’re outdoors ensure you wear sun cream and a hat.
“It’s also really important to stay out of rivers and lakes, and remember that barbecues and cigarettes can very easily cause house, garden or wildfires during hot and dry weather. Let’s help our emergency services to be there for those who really need it by doing our bit.
“To help our frontline works cope with the heat, bin collections across the city will start from 6am on Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19, instead of the usual 7am.
“The earlier start time will reduce employee’s exposure to the forecasted extreme weather conditions. Please ensure you put your bin out before 6am on these days.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council is also asking residents to put their bins out at 6am and Gedling Borough Council is asking residents to put their bins out at 5am on both days.
The impact on Nottingham’s two hospitals, Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, is not yet clear, but the website for both hospitals said on Monday the emergency department is “extremely busy”.
The hospital trust is advising people to call 111 for medical advice or care that is urgent but not an immediate genuine emergency.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said “Currently there is a 50 per cent chance we could see temperatures top 40 degrees and 80 per cent we will see a new maximum temperature reached.
“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure. Therefore, it is important people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines. This level of heat can have adverse health effects.”
