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Fresh snow brings travel problems Fresh snow brings travel problems
(30 minutes later)
Fresh snowfalls have been reported in parts of England and Wales. Fresh snowfalls overnight in parts of England and Wales have brought fresh travel disruption and school closures.
The Highways Agency said the M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands were badly affected. The M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands are badly affected.
The runway at Luton Airport is closed, 170 schools in Wales are set to shut and cancellations have been reported on buses and trains in Bristol.The runway at Luton Airport is closed, 170 schools in Wales are set to shut and cancellations have been reported on buses and trains in Bristol.
There are several severe weather warnings in place and councils say they are running low on gritting salt.There are several severe weather warnings in place and councils say they are running low on gritting salt.
'Exceptionally cold'
The Met Office has issued a number of severe weather warnings for heavy snow in much of southern and central England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Met Office has issued a number of severe weather warnings for heavy snow in much of southern and central England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The BBC's weather forecaster Rob McElwee said all southern counties of England and Wales would see snow or freezing weather.The BBC's weather forecaster Rob McElwee said all southern counties of England and Wales would see snow or freezing weather.
He said up to two inches (5cm) could fall in in Scotland and Northern Ireland and up to eight inches around Bristol. Snow is expected gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north. He said up to two inches (5cm) could fall in Scotland and Northern Ireland and up to eight inches around Bristol. Snow is expected gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north.
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. KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesLuton AirportBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in WalesSnowfall map KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesLuton AirportBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in WalesSnowfall map
Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, a Local Government Association spokesman admitted.
"Following a further night of exceptionally cold weather, and council gritters continuing to operate on a 24-hour non-stop rota, a number of councils are now experiencing shortages of salt because, in some parts of the country, stocks are running low," he added.
The AA said the question of which roads would be gritted was a "lottery", adding: "In some areas 40% of roads are gritted, some 25% and indeed some just 20%."
However, the Highways Agency said it still had plenty of salt supplies left.
It is continuing to advise drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.
It said the M4 was the worst affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are also reported to be deteriorating.It said the M4 was the worst affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are also reported to be deteriorating.
The National Rail Enquiries website is reporting disruption to First Great Western and London Midland services.The National Rail Enquiries website is reporting disruption to First Great Western and London Midland services.
There are at least 10 cancellations on the National Express East Coast line and more on Virgin Trains between London Euston and Birmingham.There are at least 10 cancellations on the National Express East Coast line and more on Virgin Trains between London Euston and Birmingham.
Trains are not running on the Severn Beach line near Bristol and First, Wessex and South Gloucestershire bus services are also currently suspended around the city.Trains are not running on the Severn Beach line near Bristol and First, Wessex and South Gloucestershire bus services are also currently suspended around the city.
Arriva bus services are suspended in Aylesbury, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton.Arriva bus services are suspended in Aylesbury, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton.
Fresh snowfalls could also lead to more schools deciding to close on Thursday. Some 170 in Wales have already said that they will shut, while other closures have been reported in Somerset, Worcestershire and Norfolk.Fresh snowfalls could also lead to more schools deciding to close on Thursday. Some 170 in Wales have already said that they will shut, while other closures have been reported in Somerset, Worcestershire and Norfolk.