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| Commuters braced for heavy snow | Commuters braced for heavy snow |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Commuters are braced for travel chaos after forecasters predicted significant snowfall over south-east England. | Commuters are braced for travel chaos after forecasters predicted significant snowfall over south-east England. |
| The Met Office has issued a 24-hour severe weather warning for Friday and said travel networks may be affected. | The Met Office has issued a 24-hour severe weather warning for Friday and said travel networks may be affected. |
| Up to 10cm of snow may fall on low ground and 20cm over hills in Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and parts of East Anglia, forecasters say. | Up to 10cm of snow may fall on low ground and 20cm over hills in Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and parts of East Anglia, forecasters say. |
| Heavy snow is also forecast in parts of central and northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. | Heavy snow is also forecast in parts of central and northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. |
| BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said the amount of snow forecast is similar to the amount that fell in 2003, trapping thousands of drivers on the M11 and M25. | |
| Road salt row | Road salt row |
| He said: "This is going to affect the M25, M26 and M11 in places. The Highways Agency, given the early warning, should be on the case... but it's the first dump of the season and we seem to struggle on these occasions." | |
| Strong north to north-easterly winds would also cause some snow to drift, he added. | Strong north to north-easterly winds would also cause some snow to drift, he added. |
| ADVICE TO ROAD USERS Do not travel in severe weather unless journey is essentialCheck local and national weather forecasts before setting out and take warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spadeDrive with care even after roads are salt treated and keep your distance - it can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions Source: Highways Agency | ADVICE TO ROAD USERS Do not travel in severe weather unless journey is essentialCheck local and national weather forecasts before setting out and take warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spadeDrive with care even after roads are salt treated and keep your distance - it can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions Source: Highways Agency |
| The Highways Agency said it had 94 winter maintenance compounds across England, with 25 in the South East, and was able to salt treat all roads within three hours of severe forecasts. | The Highways Agency said it had 94 winter maintenance compounds across England, with 25 in the South East, and was able to salt treat all roads within three hours of severe forecasts. |
| A spokesman told the BBC: "The snowfall in February was the worst the UK has seen for at least 18 years and was a tough test of our winter preparations. | A spokesman told the BBC: "The snowfall in February was the worst the UK has seen for at least 18 years and was a tough test of our winter preparations. |
| "The Highways Agency was well prepared for the severe weather and working with central government, was able to help a number of local highway authorities experiencing difficulties with shortfalls in their salt levels." | "The Highways Agency was well prepared for the severe weather and working with central government, was able to help a number of local highway authorities experiencing difficulties with shortfalls in their salt levels." |
| But earlier this week, the AA motoring organisation said half of the UK's local authorities only had enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing. | But earlier this week, the AA motoring organisation said half of the UK's local authorities only had enough road salt for six days of continuous freezing. |
| It said councils had 250,000 tonnes less salt than a decade ago - a claim dismissed as "scaremongering" by the Local Government Association. | It said councils had 250,000 tonnes less salt than a decade ago - a claim dismissed as "scaremongering" by the Local Government Association. |
| The Highways Agency has advised drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before setting out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles, and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions. | The Highways Agency has advised drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before setting out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles, and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions. |
| Forecasters have already warned of very cold weather this week, with temperatures falling as low as minus four. | Forecasters have already warned of very cold weather this week, with temperatures falling as low as minus four. |