This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8421875.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 30 Version 31
Cold leaves Eurostar trains stuck Cold leaves Eurostar trains stuck
(10 minutes later)
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.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 cold air and warm tunnel 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.
Passengers from two of the services have been moved to different trains; the other trains are to be pushed 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.
More than 2,000 people were trapped in the tunnel and some of the trains were without heating and lighting.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.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.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."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 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.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.Following the closures, Kent Police warned drivers to stay away from the Folkestone and Dover areas of the M20.
The force said the severe weather conditions were making driving hazardous in this area and there was no parking for drivers who are being turned away from the Channel Tunnel.The force said the severe weather conditions were making driving hazardous in this area and there was no parking for drivers who are being turned away from the Channel Tunnel.
It is considering bringing Operation Stack into operation in the next few hours - holding coastbound heavy goods vehicles on the M20 motorway.It is considering bringing Operation Stack into operation in the next few hours - holding coastbound heavy goods vehicles on the M20 motorway.
Driving conditions are treacherous in many parts of Britain.Driving conditions are treacherous in many parts of Britain.
The east of England was forecast to receive about 5cm (2in) of snow and the Kent coast up to 20cm (8in) overnight.The east of England was forecast 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?
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.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 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.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 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.
And much of Scotland is likely to be hit by snowfall.And much of Scotland is likely to be hit by snowfall.
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.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 about 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".
"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.
Some Eurostar passengers were transferred on to a car shuttle train (pic - Lee Godfree).Some Eurostar passengers were transferred on to a car shuttle train (pic - Lee Godfree).
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 rugby union 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 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.
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.
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

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
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC WeatherMore details from BBC Weather
Have your travel plans been disrupted by the weather? Send us your comments.Have your travel plans been disrupted by the weather? Send us your comments.
You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions