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UK weather: ice brings further hazards to vast swaths of country - live UK weather: ice brings further hazards to vast swaths of country - live
(about 2 hours later)
Avon and Somerset police dogs are having fun.
Snow dog !! pic.twitter.com/99jVCGhHPw
Greater Manchester Police say the A640 in Denshaw remains closed but all other road closures in the Oldham and Rochdale areas have been lifted. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said:
This truly has been a team effort from start to finish and we have been working closely alongside colleagues from the fire and ambulance services, mountain rescue, Highways England, multiple local authorities, the military, other police forces and volunteers.
I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst rescue efforts have been carried out. Their support has been fantastic and we have even had some very thoughtful people coming out to provide hot refreshments to officers working on the ground.
He said although the roads were starting to clear of snow in some areas, they were still experiencing very cold and icy conditions, “so I would continue to encourage people to please plan your journeys ahead of time and drive carefully.”
Here’s a travel update from Great Western Railway. Many lines remain suspended.
UPDATE: ⚠ Travel Advice for Saturday 3 MarchPlease use https://t.co/kSQp5pCyxoCustomers that have bought tickets in advance for travel Thursday, Friday or over the weekend can use these tickets up to the end of play Monday 5 March. pic.twitter.com/wIUdtnT22W
Dont try this at home:
Don't forget to fully clear your windows before you set off. But maybe not the same way as Inspector Whitley... 😂⛄️😎👮‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/G2jPY9ncdi
The British Transport Police has urged people not to leave trains if they become stranded or delayed. A statement said
This week we have seen a number of incidents of people self-evacuating from trains stranded due to the exceptional weather.
Whilst we totally understand it isn’t pleasant being trapped on a train, you are far safer on board.
Self-evacuating from trains is never a good idea as it places you and others at significant risk. You are risking your life trespassing on live tracks.
Further delays are also inevitable if people self-evacuate as power has to be turned off for safety reasons.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued advice for residents in the event of emergency flooding. The force said it responded to a number of incidents caused by frozen pipes bursting.
#TheBigThaw: overnight our crews have responded to a number of flooding incidents caused by frozen pipes bursting. We have issued some advice to help better prepare residents in the event of an emergency: https://t.co/DFjPhJBQ2K #Berkshire #BePrepared pic.twitter.com/cAeaEA8FJy
Cumbria police have issued some travel advice:
Here are the latest road conditions from @CumbriaCC. Please drive with care and don't ignore road closed signs. Also try and avoid rural and high roads.You can check live road conditions here---> https://t.co/lUBVYMe7rG pic.twitter.com/lQqoLo46Nu
An elderly couple and their two dogs have been dug out of their house in southern Scotland after becoming trapped by 12ft (3.6m) snow drifts around the property.
Two police officers and a mountain rescue team managed to dig them out of the secluded farm house near West Linton after they called for help on Friday afternoon.
The couple, aged 70 and 71, had run out of firewood for heating and were cut off from their coal shed by the time they were freed. They were found to be in good health and were taken to stay with a friend, along with the two dogs.
Dave Wright, from Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue, said:
They were perfectly alright when we got them out the house, they were a little bit surprised by how the situation escalated so quickly and I don’t think they had experienced anything like that before, but this type of weather hasn’t been seen for quite some time.
We’re obviously used to working in the mountains and hills, but we haven’t seen conditions like this at ground level for a long time, it trumps 2010 and 2001 for the level of snow depth and how the drifts have been piling up.
Snow will continue to fall this afternoon but southern England is starting to see rain showers.
Still #cold with a lot of #snow falling this afternoon, but #rain showers and a slow thaw across southern England. Take care if you're heading out pic.twitter.com/rQMgbkhl1F
The West Coast Main Line between Glasgow and Carlisle will re-open this afternoon, Network Rail Scotland has said. The East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and Newcastle is also open.
GOOD NEWS !The West Coast Main Line (WCML) between #Glasgow and #Carlisle will re-open from early this afternoon. We are working with @VirginTrains to reintroduce service We will continue to monitor the line throughout the day as safety remains top priority.
East Coast Main Line (ECML) is open btwn #Edinburgh & #Newcastle (+ to #Dunbar) We are working with @Virgin_TrainsEC on reintroduction of service@CrossCountryUK will reintroduce service after 12 noonWe'll continue to monitor line throughout day as safety remains top priority
South Western has said there will be no trains between Southampton and Weymouth on Saturday. A full list of lines is available on the company’s website.South Western has said there will be no trains between Southampton and Weymouth on Saturday. A full list of lines is available on the company’s website.
There are no trains operating between Southampton Central and Weymouth. We urge passengers not to attempt to travel past Southampton. Please see here for more information:- https://t.co/pkL7rv4JVTThere are no trains operating between Southampton Central and Weymouth. We urge passengers not to attempt to travel past Southampton. Please see here for more information:- https://t.co/pkL7rv4JVT
A disabled woman who took refuge from the icy conditions in a chemist after her electric wheelchair broke down has been rescued by a fire crew.A disabled woman who took refuge from the icy conditions in a chemist after her electric wheelchair broke down has been rescued by a fire crew.
Fire fighters from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue put a blanket on the “freezing” woman, who was not wearing a coat, before driving her home after she became stranded in Moorends, Doncaster.Fire fighters from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue put a blanket on the “freezing” woman, who was not wearing a coat, before driving her home after she became stranded in Moorends, Doncaster.
It took three fire fighters almost half an hour to push the heavy eight-battery chair a quarter of a mile through ice and snow to her home. Daz Robertson, who drove her back, said the woman had been out doing some errands, but could not use her keys to get into the house when she returned because her fingers were too cold.It took three fire fighters almost half an hour to push the heavy eight-battery chair a quarter of a mile through ice and snow to her home. Daz Robertson, who drove her back, said the woman had been out doing some errands, but could not use her keys to get into the house when she returned because her fingers were too cold.
She went out on the chair to seek help, which was when the batteries went flat and she was taken in by a chemist, which stayed open late to look after her as darkness fell.She went out on the chair to seek help, which was when the batteries went flat and she was taken in by a chemist, which stayed open late to look after her as darkness fell.
Gov.uk has issued flood warnings for 14 areas in the UK including parts of Cornwall, Devon and Sunderland. This means there is no danger to life but immediate action is required. There are also flood alerts in place for 32 areas, meaning be prepared.
Police searching for 19-year-old Charlie Pope, who went missing in sub-zero temperatures, have found a body.
Pope, from West Didsbury, was last seen in Manchester city centre early on Thursday more than two hours after leaving a club. He had left the Zombie Shack in New Wakefield Street at about 2.30am and was later spotted in Whitworth Street at 4.50am.
On Friday, an underwater search team was deployed at the canal just off Whitworth Street West and shortly after 3.40pm a body was discovered. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said
Although formal ID is yet to take place, it is believed to be Charlie Pope.
His family have been informed and are being provided with support from specially trained officers at this tragic time.
There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a file will be passed to the coroner.
An emergency funding scheme has been opened for local authorities in the wake of the Beast from the East, the Press Association reports.
The Scottish government said it will consider applications for financial assistance through the Bellwin Scheme after Borders Council requested help.
The discretionary fun, designed to help councils who face an undue financial burden as a result of large-scale emergencies, is open for applications from all councils impacted by recent severe weather events, or those at risk from flooding as the snow melts.
The Dawlish line has partially re-opened.
Line at Dawlish cleared for safe use in direction Penzance to London only. Exceptional conditions and high Spring tides but the line up to London now safe and open for use. Waiting on update on line in reverse direction down to Penzance.
Northumbria Police have said the A1 is now open.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: The A1 is now open, however the A697 southbound between the Rothbury turn off and Stannington is down to one lane due to snow drifts. We are working on getting the area cleared and back to two lanes but expect delays. Please drive with care and only if essential pic.twitter.com/gY86EFScDT
Further south, the Highways Agency said the A66 cross-Pennine route remained shut between the A1M at Scotch Corner to the A685 at Brough.
Airports are warning passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Good morning! We are continuing to work closely with our airlines to minimise delays and to deliver a near full schedule today. As always, please check your flight status with your airline https://t.co/zOqJyQR48T and let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.
London Gatwick’s airlines are intending to operate a normal schedule today, Saturday 3rd March 2018. However, as always, please check the status of your flight with your airline before leaving for Gatwick and do not travel to the airport if it's cancelled.
More than 1,250 flights were cancelled across the UK and Ireland on Friday. Most airports, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, are open for “business as usual” on Saturday, for some delays and cancellations still remain.
The rail line at Dawlish, Devon, has been closed due to flooding caused by high tides.
All change at Dawlish - again! In the last hour the line reopened but now it’s closed again due to high tide flooding. Here’s why... @BBCBreakfast @BBCBreaking @networkrailwest pic.twitter.com/l9B8MpyuJj
ScotRail is urging travellers to check journey times as network is facing challenges due to the freezing temperatures. In a series of tweets, it said that snow was drifting on to tracks because of high winds of up to 40mph.
Here's the list of ScotRail services which are operating this morning. We'll continue to keep you updated as the day goes on. Please check your journey & train times via our App or https://t.co/gv0MwedF0k. pic.twitter.com/gMoIJwomY3
Our network faces a lot of challenges as we work to get it back up and running. In some parts there are high winds of up to 40mph, which is causing snow to drift back onto tracks in exposed areas.
In many cases our snow ploughs clear a line, only for the snow to drift back as soon as the ploughs move on.Freezing temps are also causing severe icing on some trains and in tunnels.
Some local roads remain impassable, making it difficult for our people to get into run our trains and staff our stations.
Snowploughs on the West Coast Main Line have encountered drifts of up to 10ft deep! @NetworkRailSCOT pic.twitter.com/9AF2IG2wK8
Met Office forecasters said temperatures could climb to as high as 7C for parts of Wales and the South West on Saturday, with rain replacing the snow that has blighted Britain for much of the past week. But they warned that as rain begins to fall on snow-covered roads, the potential for ice to form could bring further hazards.
Saturday morning will be a cold and icy one, but a thaw will begin across southwest England as less cold air starts to arrive pic.twitter.com/eZJsrhgOFA
A yellow weather warning for ice is in place for much of England until 11am, while snow is still possible for Scotland and North East England, with a warning in force until midnight. Northern parts of the UK saw more snow overnight, with a further 5cm likely to fall by the end of the day. Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said:
It won’t feel quite as cold compared to what we’ve seen previously, but the potential for ice could mean roads are very slippery.
As the temperature rises above #freezing here at HQ the thaw is setting in, though #ice remains a hazard ❄️ pic.twitter.com/uPngLGxiQu
Overnight, the M62 in Greater Manchester finally reopened after being closed for more than a day. Hundreds of motorists had spent Thursday night trapped in their cars when heavy snowfall and high winds left the road impassable.
Some roads remain closed on Saturday as authorities work to clear snow, while flights and trains continue to be affected.
However, many transport services are beginning to get back to normal.
The UK is counting the cost of extraordinary blizzards that have brought parts of the country to a standstill, leaving death and destruction and bringing misery to tens of thousands of travellers.
Forecasters have warned that, as rain begins to fall on snow-covered roads, the potential for ice to form could bring further hazards. A yellow weather warning for ice is in place for much of England until 11am, while snow is still possible for Scotland and north-east England, with a warning in force until midnight.
Northern parts of the UK saw more snow overnight, with a further 5cm likely to fall by the end of the day.
As the weather starts to ease, local authorities and the government, emergency services, transport companies, retailers, motorists and householders will face hefty bills to restore normality after the dramatic snowfall and gales.
Major incidents were declared in Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire after many hundreds of drivers were stranded in their vehicles.
Two more deaths were recorded on Friday, taking the death toll in weather-related incidents to 10.
We’ll be posting all of today’s key developments on this liveblog. You can read the Guardian’s full news report below.