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Fresh snow brings travel problems Fresh snow brings travel problems
(20 minutes later)
More snowfalls overnight in parts of England and Wales have brought fresh travel disruption and school closures.More snowfalls overnight in parts of England and Wales have brought fresh travel disruption and school closures.
The M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands are badly affected.The M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands are badly affected.
Runways at Luton and East Midlands airports are closed, 170 schools in Wales are to shut and there are bus and train cancellations in Bristol.Runways at Luton and East Midlands airports are closed, 170 schools in Wales are to shut and there are bus and train cancellations 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''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 Scotland and Northern Ireland, and up to eight inches around Bristol.He said up to two inches (5cm) could fall in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and up to eight inches around Bristol.
Snow is forecast to gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north, but very little of the existing snow cover is expected to melt.Snow is forecast to gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north, but very little of the existing snow cover is expected to melt.
KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesLuton AirportBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in WalesKEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesLuton AirportBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in Wales
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. Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, the Local Government Association (LGA) 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. Paul Bettison of the LGA told the BBC's Today programme that the UK should look to importing fresh supplies of salt.
"That requires government to actually work with us all, and then we can do it as one - rather than, as we've seen, having this scrapping for what limited supplies are available."
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%."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.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 is continuing to advise drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.
Travel disruption across the country has included:
  • The M4 was the worst-affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are reported to be deteriorating, and the M1, M3, M11 and M40 are also affected
  • 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
  • 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
  • The runway at Luton Airport and East Midlands Airport near Derby was closed as workers cleared snow from the runway. Luton was not expected to reopen until 0845.
Travel disruption across the country has included:
  • The M4 was the worst-affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are reported to be deteriorating, and the M1, M3, M11 and M40 are also affected. Lorry drivers have been urged to stay off the roads in Northamptonshire At least 170 schools in Wales are set to close on Thursday
  • 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
  • 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
  • The runway at Luton Airport and East Midlands Airport near Derby was closed as workers cleared snow from the runway. Luton was not expected to reopen until 0845.
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, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, 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 Devon, Bristol, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Norfolk.
Rescuers are preparing to search for two hill walkers reported missing on the Cairngorm Plateau in the Highlands at 2000 GMT on Wednesday. An RAF helicopter along with police and Cairngorms mountain rescue are expected to join the operation.Rescuers are preparing to search for two hill walkers reported missing on the Cairngorm Plateau in the Highlands at 2000 GMT on Wednesday. An RAF helicopter along with police and Cairngorms mountain rescue are expected to join the operation.