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Snow continues to close schools Snow continues to close schools
(30 minutes later)
Several thousand children are facing another day off school as parts of the UK continue to battle against snow.Several thousand children are facing another day off school as parts of the UK continue to battle against snow.
Most of the 6,000 schools that were closed on Tuesday are expected to reopen, but councils have already said around 75 will be shut in Wales. Most of the 6,000 schools that were closed on Tuesday were expected to reopen on Wednesday in the wake of criticism of the scale of the closures.
There has been criticism of the scale of closures, but Schools Secretary Ed Balls said decisions had been taken based on the forecast conditions. About 190 remain shut in Wales, while smaller numbers of pupils in areas including Cornwall and the West Midlands are also staying at home.
The Met Office is warning of ice and snow in many parts of the UK.The Met Office is warning of ice and snow in many parts of the UK.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl has died after a sledging accident in Rotherham.Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl has died after a sledging accident in Rotherham.
Francesca Anobile, of Mosborough, Sheffield, was among four girls hurt at Rother Valley Country Park on Tuesday afternoon.Francesca Anobile, of Mosborough, Sheffield, was among four girls hurt at Rother Valley Country Park on Tuesday afternoon.
They had been using an improvised metal sledge which is understood to have gone through a barbed wire fence.They had been using an improvised metal sledge which is understood to have gone through a barbed wire fence.
A South Yorkshire spokesman said: "Police would like to highlight the importance of personal safety during this period of adverse weather and advise everyone to take extra care when playing out in the snow and ice."A South Yorkshire spokesman said: "Police would like to highlight the importance of personal safety during this period of adverse weather and advise everyone to take extra care when playing out in the snow and ice."
Care drivingCare driving
Wednesday's forecast is for possible heavy snow in Grampian and the Highlands, with widespread icy conditions in others parts of Scotland, Wales and south-west England.Wednesday's forecast is for possible heavy snow in Grampian and the Highlands, with widespread icy conditions in others parts of Scotland, Wales and south-west England.
More heavy snow is forecast for Wednesday night, particularly affecting Wales, south-west England, the Midlands and East Anglia. KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in WalesMore heavy snow is forecast for Wednesday night, particularly affecting Wales, south-west England, the Midlands and East Anglia. KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in Wales
Snow could continue into Thursday and Friday, but there is still uncertainty about how much will fall and where.Snow could continue into Thursday and Friday, but there is still uncertainty about how much will fall and where.
The Highways Agency is continuing to advise drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.The Highways Agency is continuing to advise drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.
Wiltshire County Council warned that it may have to restrict gritting to its main roads, as it was running out of salt.Wiltshire County Council warned that it may have to restrict gritting to its main roads, as it was running out of salt.
The authority said it had used 7,000 tonnes so far, and needed to preserve its remaining 7,000 for the weekend.The authority said it had used 7,000 tonnes so far, and needed to preserve its remaining 7,000 for the weekend.
Parents are being advised to call their child's school, or their local authority, to check if there are plans for closures on Wednesday.Parents are being advised to call their child's school, or their local authority, to check if there are plans for closures on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, 578 schools were closed in Wales, 450 in Hampshire, 428 in Birmingham, 400 in Essex and 350 in Leicester and Rutland. On Tuesday, 578 schools were closed in Wales, 450 in Hampshire, 428 in Birmingham and 400 in Essex.
Other authorities including East Sussex, West Sussex, Somerset, East Staffordshire, Dudley, and Kent also told children to stay away.Other authorities including East Sussex, West Sussex, Somerset, East Staffordshire, Dudley, and Kent also told children to stay away.
On Wednesday six will close in Cornwall, three in Worcestershire, and 12 schools and colleges will be closed in the West Midlands. On Wednesday, 14 schools were closed in Cornwall, three in Worcestershire, and 12 schools and colleges were closed in the West Midlands.
Only two were shut in Leicestershire and Rutland, where 350 were closed on Tuesday.
Margaret Morrissey, of the Parents Outloud campaign group, said the closures sent the wrong signals to children "that when things get difficult, you should just stay at home and have fun".Margaret Morrissey, of the Parents Outloud campaign group, said the closures sent the wrong signals to children "that when things get difficult, you should just stay at home and have fun".
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said decisions to shut schools had been taken based on the forecast conditions.
Mr Balls said he understood the frustration of working parents but believed many would have welcomed an early decision on school closures.Mr Balls said he understood the frustration of working parents but believed many would have welcomed an early decision on school closures.
In Wales, which bore the brunt of Tuesday's snow, four schools will close in Caerphilly, three in Merthyr and one in Neath Port Talbot on Wednesday. In Wales, which bore the brunt of Tuesday's snow, four schools closed on Wednesday in Caerphilly, three in Merthyr and one in Neath Port Talbot.
In Rhondda, at least 29 schools are set to shut, and in Torfaen, at least one will close its doors. In Rhondda, at least 29 schools were set to shut, and in Torfaen, at least one was due to close its doors.
Some cancellationsSome cancellations
Elsewhere, many transport services are expected to return to near-normal levels on Wednesday after a second day of widespread disruption.Elsewhere, many transport services are expected to return to near-normal levels on Wednesday after a second day of widespread disruption.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said all operators should be running a normal, full-time service.The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said all operators should be running a normal, full-time service.
Most rail services are expected to return to normal on WednesdayMost rail services are expected to return to normal on Wednesday
Southern Railway and Southeastern, which were both badly affected by the weather, said they were attempting to run a full timetable.Southern Railway and Southeastern, which were both badly affected by the weather, said they were attempting to run a full timetable.
First Great Western trains are also not running between London Paddington and Greenford, and some other services are altered or cancelled.First Great Western trains are also not running between London Paddington and Greenford, and some other services are altered or cancelled.
Most bus routes in London are now operating as normal, although a few routes are still curtailed because of icy roads.Most bus routes in London are now operating as normal, although a few routes are still curtailed because of icy roads.
A Transport for London spokeswoman said gritters had been out overnight on Tuesday in a bid to keep the city's major roads moving and a "good service" was expected for the "vast majority" of the Underground.A Transport for London spokeswoman said gritters had been out overnight on Tuesday in a bid to keep the city's major roads moving and a "good service" was expected for the "vast majority" of the Underground.
Three MPs have tabled a Commons motion accusing London Mayor Boris Johnson of "shamefully" allowing the capital to be "shut down so easily" after buses were taken off the roads on Monday.Three MPs have tabled a Commons motion accusing London Mayor Boris Johnson of "shamefully" allowing the capital to be "shut down so easily" after buses were taken off the roads on Monday.
Tuesday also saw further disruption at many airports in south-east England and Scotland, but a spokeswoman for operator BAA said it expected to run a "full or near-full schedule" on Wednesday.Tuesday also saw further disruption at many airports in south-east England and Scotland, but a spokeswoman for operator BAA said it expected to run a "full or near-full schedule" on Wednesday.
At 0600 GMT, the BAA website said there would be "a small number of cancellations" at Gatwick and every effort was being made at Heathrow to minimise further disruption there. At 0600 GMT, the BAA website said there would be "a small number of cancellations" at Gatwick and every effort was being made at Heathrow to minimise further disruption.
Some flights could also be delayed or cancelled at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, and passengers are being advised to contact their airline for more information. Some flights could also be delayed or cancelled at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, and passengers were advised to contact their airline.