As the Beacon went to press, Monmouthshire County Council reported that many services are now running in Monmouthshire, although there is still some disruption in some areas.

The council switchboard, emergency lines and County Hall are open, and the council is keeping the public informed of service changes through its website (http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk">www.monmouthshire.gov.uk) and its Twitter page (http://www.twitter.com/Monmouthshirecc">www.twitter.com/Monmouthshirecc). The web site continues to have a high level of use.

On Monday 11th, MCC's Head of Waste Dave Harris announced that refuse collections would resume that day.

He said that residents "can now put rubbish out, as we can now reach most urban and some rural areas. We will do our best; however we will not be able to get to all normal locations, particularly the most remote places, due to snow and ice [remaining].

"Some refuse that has been put out is also covered with snow and frozen so it will create some problems."