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Weather causes Eurostar breakdown Cold leaves Eurostar trains stuck
(10 minutes later)
Four Eurostar trains have broken down in the Channel Tunnel due to cold weather, as more snow is expected to cause disruption in parts of Britain. Four trains have broken down in the Channel Tunnel due to cold weather, as snow is expected to cause further disruption in parts of Britain.
The temperature difference between the chilly open air and warm tunnel under the English Channel caused the trains to break down, Eurostar said. The temperature difference between the cold air and warm tunnel caused the trains to break down, Eurostar said.
It said a rescue locomotive was trying to get them out. Passengers from two of the services have been moved to different trains; the other trains are to be pushed out.
More snow and freezing temperatures are expected for parts of Scotland and south-east and eastern England.More snow and freezing temperatures are expected for parts of Scotland and south-east and eastern England.
At least three of the trains were from Paris to London. Two further trains travelling from Brussels and Paris heading for the tunnel were turned back. More than 2,000 people were trapped in the tunnel and some of the trains were without heating and lighting.
Two further trains travelling from Brussels and Paris heading for the tunnel were turned back.
Passengers from one of the trains have been taken by shuttle to Folkestone where they are waiting for a train to take them on to London.
Eurostar spokesman Bram Smets said: "All the passengers are safe."
The tunnel is currently closed and many travellers are stranded at terminals at either end, where they are waiting to make their crossing.
The Port of Dover is also closed and passengers have been advised not to travel there. Anyone planning to make a journey via the port is advised to contact their travel operator.
Following the closures, Kent Police warned drivers to stay away from the Folkestone and Dover areas of the M20.
It said the severe weather conditions were making driving hazardous in this area and there is no parking for drivers who are being turned away from the Channel Tunnel.
Driving conditions are treacherous in many parts of Britain.Driving conditions are treacherous in many parts of Britain.
The east of England is expected to receive about 5cm (2in) of snow and the Kent coast up to 20cm (8in) overnight.The east of England is expected to receive about 5cm (2in) of snow and the Kent coast up to 20cm (8in) overnight.
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 Your pictures: Snowfall across UK How exactly do you grit a road?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 Your pictures: Snowfall across UK How exactly do you grit a road?
Kent Police reported delays to the county's ports and to the Eurotunnel. The BBC weather unit said the snow showers would die out in south-east and eastern England by Saturday morning and much of the country would wake to a dry, bright and very cold day.
However the snowfall will not be as heavy as on Thursday night which led to hundreds of school closures, travel chaos and thousands of power outages. However more treacherous driving conditions are predicted as rain, sleet and snow pass down through Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales throughout Saturday afternoon and evening.
The BBC weather unit said the snow showers would die out in south-east and eastern England by Saturday morning and much of the country would wake to a dry and bright day.
However more treacherous driving conditions are predicted as rain, sleet and snow passes down through Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales throughout Saturday afternoon and evening.
The BBC weather unit said this would be followed by freezing temperatures leaving widespread icy condition across England by Sunday morning.The BBC weather unit said this would be followed by freezing temperatures leaving widespread icy condition across England by Sunday morning.
Kent Police said there are currently traffic hold-ups on main routes in the Folkestone and Dover area and that the Eurotunnel is experiencing delays due to weather conditions in France. And much of Scotland is likely to be hit by snowfall.
There are also problems at the Port of Dover because of the extra traffic. Up to 5cm may fall in the central belt and as much as 15cm could gather on higher ground, with only the far western coast likely to escape snow showers.
British Airways issued a statement, relating to Heathrow Airport, in which it said the snow had caused "long delays throughout Friday and also some cancellations". British Airways issued a statement about Heathrow Airport, in which it said the snow had caused "long delays throughout Friday and also some cancellations".
Airlines warn
"Unfortunately we have had aircraft and crews out of position causing knock on effects to our Saturday schedule," it said."Unfortunately we have had aircraft and crews out of position causing knock on effects to our Saturday schedule," it said.
The airline advised customers to check its website - ba.com - for information on the status of their flight before travelling to the airport over the weekend.The airline advised customers to check its website - ba.com - for information on the status of their flight before travelling to the airport over the weekend.
It said customers whose flights have been cancelled can be rebooked onto alternative flights or claim a full refund.It said customers whose flights have been cancelled can be rebooked onto alternative flights or claim a full refund.
Very icy conditions are predicted for Sunday morning
On Friday evening Easyjet also said there would be further delays and cancellations.On Friday evening Easyjet also said there would be further delays and cancellations.
The carrier warned passengers whose flights had been cancelled on Friday that they may not be able to transfer on to flights for a few days.The carrier warned passengers whose flights had been cancelled on Friday that they may not be able to transfer on to flights for a few days.
Easyjet also warned against going directly to airports to make alternative arrangements because of the huge numbers of passengers already there, in particular at Luton and Gatwick.Easyjet also warned against going directly to airports to make alternative arrangements because of the huge numbers of passengers already there, in particular at Luton and Gatwick.
The harsh conditions have also cancelled a number of sporting fixtures planned for the weekend.The harsh conditions have also cancelled a number of sporting fixtures planned for the weekend.
Friday evening's Heineken Cup clash between Newport Gwent Dragons and Biarritz was called off due to a partially-frozen pitch. Friday evening's Heineken Cup rugby union clash between Newport Gwent Dragons and Biarritz was called off due to a partially-frozen pitch.
And there have been several casualties among the weekend's Football League fixture list with Hereford's Coca-Cola League Two game at home to Lincoln on Friday night the first to go. And there have been casualties among the weekend's Football League fixture list with Hereford's Coca-Cola League Two game at home to Lincoln on Friday night the first to go.
On Saturday, the games at Aldershot and Colchester have also been called off.On Saturday, the games at Aldershot and Colchester have also been called off.
And for the second day in a row, there will be no racing at Ascot on Saturday due to the snow. For the second day in a row, there will be no racing at Ascot on Saturday due to the snow.
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
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Temperature (°C)

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