Taxi firms kept busy

Although one firm had a car 'written off' in the icy conditions.

Stephen McGivern of Windsor Cabs said business picked up during the cold snap.

He said: "Mostly we had people leaving their own cars behind and taking a short journey with us.

"The older people and vulnerable decided to leave their car and take a taxi just to be on the safe side

"I always say if it's a wet day or a hot day we'll be busy, because people don't want to walk in the rain or if it's too hot."

He went on: "The main roads were not a problem, but it was the housing estates - they were very bad.

"And unfortunately one of our drivers was caught out in the snow and his car was written off.

"We were short a car for a couple of hours and the next day had a replacement vehicle back on the road."

Marty Murray of HV Taxis said the firm were 'flat out' over the cold snap.

He said: "It was difficult getting a taxi, especially during the morning and afternoon rush. We were flat out.

"We had a lot of short distance fares. Mostly it was parents not wanting to take their cars and girls not wanting to walk the pavements.

"Our drivers had no problems, some gave the bad conditions a miss, but we had little to complain about.

"The weather had a big affect on the business - for the better - and long may it continue, I say."