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Heavy snow hits much of England Heavy snow hits much of England
(10 minutes later)
Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of England, disrupting travel and closing hundreds of schools.Heavy snow has fallen across large parts of England, disrupting travel and closing hundreds of schools.
South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow runways.South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service and the closure of Heathrow runways.
Road and rail travel was also badly hit by up to 15cm (6in) of snow.Road and rail travel was also badly hit by up to 15cm (6in) of snow.
The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland. More snow is forecast later and on Tuesday.The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for England, Wales and parts of eastern Scotland. More snow is forecast later and on Tuesday.
'Dangerous driving''Dangerous driving'
Thousands of school children across England woke up to the news their school was closed for the day.Thousands of school children across England woke up to the news their school was closed for the day.
In Essex more than 370 are shut, while some 50 Kent schools have closed and in Suffolk about 125 gave their pupils the day off. Lincolnshire reported nearly 20 schools were closed.In Essex more than 370 are shut, while some 50 Kent schools have closed and in Suffolk about 125 gave their pupils the day off. Lincolnshire reported nearly 20 schools were closed.
Air travel has been badly affected.
  • London City and Luton airports are closed, and a runway at Southampton airport has also shut.
  • Heathrow Airport has had to shut both runways and says it will take about two hours to reopen.
  • BAA has warned passengers travelling to and from Heathrow and Stansted airports to expect "significant delays and cancellations". Leeds Bradford Airport is also experiencing long delays.
  • Gatwick is open, although fewer aircraft are able to take off. Some 23 flights had to be cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports after Gatwick closed its runway for two hours on Sunday evening.
  • There is no service on the Gatwick Express.
Air travel has been badly affected.
  • London City and Luton airports are closed, and a runway at Southampton airport has also shut.
  • Heathrow Airport has had to shut both runways and says it will take about two hours to reopen.
  • BAA has warned passengers travelling to and from Heathrow and Stansted airports to expect "significant delays and cancellations". Leeds Bradford Airport is also experiencing long delays.
  • Gatwick is open, although fewer aircraft are able to take off. Some 23 flights had to be cancelled and 18 diverted to other airports after Gatwick closed its runway for two hours on Sunday evening.
  • There is no service on the Gatwick Express.
IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL London buses withdrawnBoth runways closed at HeathrowLondon City and Luton airports closedPassengers stranded at GatwickTrain services cancelled Passengers due to fly out during the day are being urged to double-check their flights are not affected before they begin their journeys. IMPACT OF THE SNOWFALL London buses withdrawnBoth runways closed at HeathrowLondon City and Luton airports closedPassengers stranded at GatwickTrain services cancelled class="" href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/">Transport for London Passengers due to fly out during the day are being urged to double-check their flights are not affected before they begin their journeys.
On the roads, motorists were being warned of dangerous driving conditions.
  • The A66 in the north-west of England, between Brough and Stainmore Summit, is expected to stay closed all day.
  • Two lanes of the M62 over the Pennines were closed for several hours last night, but have now re-opened.
  • There are warnings on the M6 in Greater Manchester, while the M60, M66 and M602 have also been affected by the snow.
  • The M25 is closed clockwise between Reigate and Leatherhead, junctions 8 and 9 and there are reports of several vehicles becoming stuck in the snow.
  • The London-bound M20 in Kent was temporarily closed between junction nine at the Ashford turn-off and junction eight at the Leeds Castle turn-off.
On the roads, motorists were being warned of dangerous driving conditions.
  • The A66 in the north-west of England, between Brough and Stainmore Summit, is expected to stay closed all day.
  • Two lanes of the M62 over the Pennines were closed for several hours last night, but have now re-opened.
  • There are warnings on the M6 in Greater Manchester, while the M60, M66 and M602 have also been affected by the snow.
  • The M25 is closed clockwise between Reigate and Leatherhead, junctions 8 and 9 and there are reports of several vehicles becoming stuck in the snow.
  • The London-bound M20 in Kent was temporarily closed between junction nine at the Ashford turn-off and junction eight at the Leeds Castle turn-off.
And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport.
  • All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions"
And there was more bad news for people trying to use public transport.
  • All London buses have been withdrawn from service due "to adverse weather and dangerous driving conditions"
A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service.A BBC reporter said he saw many people left confused and distressed after waiting for long periods for buses, only to see them drive past without being in service.
The snow delighted many but bought travel misery for othersThe snow delighted many but bought travel misery for others
There are also problems on the London Underground and rail network.
  • Many Tube lines are partially suspended and the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines entirely suspended.
  • South West trains is running a reduced service on most routes and passengers are advised not to travel unless their journey is essential.
There are also problems on the London Underground and rail network.
  • Many Tube lines are partially suspended and the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines entirely suspended.
  • South West trains is running a reduced service on most routes and passengers are advised not to travel unless their journey is essential.
Scotland Yard said it had reports of a number of crashes in the early hours, though no-one was seriously hurt.Scotland Yard said it had reports of a number of crashes in the early hours, though no-one was seriously hurt.
'Flirting with hypothermia''Flirting with hypothermia'
The Highways Agency said there have been too many minor accidents on the roads "to put a number on".The Highways Agency said there have been too many minor accidents on the roads "to put a number on".
The agency recommended people should only make essential journeys. The agency recommended people should only make essential journeys.BBC website reader Fiona Morse snapped Surrey Quays under snowOne motorist, driving in the Midlands, told the BBC conditions were much clearer there, but highway officers told him they had responded to 1,735 incidents over a 24-hour period in the East Midlands alone.
One motorist, driving in the Midlands, told the BBC conditions were much clearer there, but highway officers told him they had responded to 1,735 incidents over a 24-hour period in the East Midlands alone.
The Highways Agency said the organisation was well prepared to deal with snowfall over roads after criticism over its reaction to severe weather in 2003.The Highways Agency said the organisation was well prepared to deal with snowfall over roads after criticism over its reaction to severe weather in 2003.
It added that the number of traffic officer patrols had been increased, there were extra staff to control rooms across the country and gritters had been working through the night.It added that the number of traffic officer patrols had been increased, there were extra staff to control rooms across the country and gritters had been working through the night.
The AA has warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out, or else risk "flirting with hypothermia".The AA has warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in their vehicles if they were planning to go out, or else risk "flirting with hypothermia".
How is the snow affecting you? Show us your snow by sending pictures in via the form below.How is the snow affecting you? Show us your snow by sending pictures in via the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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