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Thousands stuck in cars overnight Thousands stuck in cars overnight
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of people have been trapped in their cars overnight after snow and ice brought roads to a standstill.Thousands of people have been trapped in their cars overnight after snow and ice brought roads to a standstill.
In Basingstoke, 2,000 vehicles ground to a halt leaving about 3,000 people stranded, Hampshire Constabulary said.In Basingstoke, 2,000 vehicles ground to a halt leaving about 3,000 people stranded, Hampshire Constabulary said.
Airport runways have been closed and many flights cancelled. But Eurostar has resumed a limited service.Airport runways have been closed and many flights cancelled. But Eurostar has resumed a limited service.
The icy conditions are affecting large parts of England and Wales, although the south east and London have been worst affected.The icy conditions are affecting large parts of England and Wales, although the south east and London have been worst affected.
Five emergency rest centres were set up in the Basingstoke area for those who could not get home.Five emergency rest centres were set up in the Basingstoke area for those who could not get home.
Thousands of motorists and passengers were also stuck in Berkshire and south Oxfordshire.Thousands of motorists and passengers were also stuck in Berkshire and south Oxfordshire.
Stranded passenger Cheryl Jenkins on her ordeal at Luton airportStranded passenger Cheryl Jenkins on her ordeal at Luton airport
Many spent the night in freezing conditions after roads in the counties became gridlocked on Monday afternoon.Many spent the night in freezing conditions after roads in the counties became gridlocked on Monday afternoon.
South Central Ambulance, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, said there had been a 70% increase in calls.South Central Ambulance, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, said there had been a 70% increase in calls.
There were also long delays on the M4, the M3 and the M40, to the north and west of London.There were also long delays on the M4, the M3 and the M40, to the north and west of London.
The president of the AA, Edmund King, said the organisation had had its busiest day on Monday in 10 years with its own patrols getting stuck.The president of the AA, Edmund King, said the organisation had had its busiest day on Monday in 10 years with its own patrols getting stuck.
Ice warning in Scotland Snow disrupts schools in Wales Manchester Airport hit by snow Icy roads in Northern IrelandIce warning in Scotland Snow disrupts schools in Wales Manchester Airport hit by snow Icy roads in Northern Ireland
He said: "Just trying to get out of Basingstoke onto the ring road was absolutely treacherous - it was like an ice rink. Cars were skidding all over the place.He said: "Just trying to get out of Basingstoke onto the ring road was absolutely treacherous - it was like an ice rink. Cars were skidding all over the place.
"My car was skidding and colleagues now are still stuck in Basingstoke - stuck in the office there.""My car was skidding and colleagues now are still stuck in Basingstoke - stuck in the office there."
The majority of those stranded in the town were able to move on by 0230 GMT, police said, although some motorists were resting overnight in the rescue centres, set up by Hampshire County Council.The majority of those stranded in the town were able to move on by 0230 GMT, police said, although some motorists were resting overnight in the rescue centres, set up by Hampshire County Council.
On Monday night one woman told the BBC: "My husband left work in Reading at 1500 GMT and is still to arrive home - it is now 2315 GMT. He has been trapped in traffic for over eight hours and will still have to leave the car and walk the rest of the way home."On Monday night one woman told the BBC: "My husband left work in Reading at 1500 GMT and is still to arrive home - it is now 2315 GMT. He has been trapped in traffic for over eight hours and will still have to leave the car and walk the rest of the way home."
'Massive backlog''Massive backlog'
In Scotland, police have advised drivers to take care in the wintry conditions and only make essential journeys.In Scotland, police have advised drivers to take care in the wintry conditions and only make essential journeys.
There was also widespread disruption to airports across the UK as a result of the ongoing severe weather, with people stranded at the airport or unable to reach the terminals.There was also widespread disruption to airports across the UK as a result of the ongoing severe weather, with people stranded at the airport or unable to reach the terminals.
Flights were suspended from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh but services are getting back to normal at some of the airports.Flights were suspended from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh but services are getting back to normal at some of the airports.
However, EasyJet flights from Luton are cancelled until midday. Passengers are being advised to contact their airline.However, EasyJet flights from Luton are cancelled until midday. Passengers are being advised to contact their airline.
The Eurostar train service was preparing to deal with a "massive backlog" as it reopens on Tuesday morning after being closed for three days due to the severe weather in northern France.The Eurostar train service was preparing to deal with a "massive backlog" as it reopens on Tuesday morning after being closed for three days due to the severe weather in northern France.
The company said it would be concentrating on easing the backlog, rather than selling new tickets.The company said it would be concentrating on easing the backlog, rather than selling new tickets.
Eurotunnel said it was managing to clear the backlog of cars and lorries waiting to use its Channel Tunnel car service.Eurotunnel said it was managing to clear the backlog of cars and lorries waiting to use its Channel Tunnel car service.
Anyone without a reservation or with a day trip ticket was being advised not to show up as the priority would be to clear those people who were meant to travel over the weekend.Anyone without a reservation or with a day trip ticket was being advised not to show up as the priority would be to clear those people who were meant to travel over the weekend.
Domestic rail services across the UK were also delayed and buses replaced trains in many areas.Domestic rail services across the UK were also delayed and buses replaced trains in many areas.
Southeastern trains said it would be operating a Saturday timetable service on mainline, metro and high-speed routes on Tuesday, with a normal weekday service for Thameslink trains run via Blackfriars.Southeastern trains said it would be operating a Saturday timetable service on mainline, metro and high-speed routes on Tuesday, with a normal weekday service for Thameslink trains run via Blackfriars.
The company said there would be additional high-speed services through the day and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street during the morning and evening peak times.The company said there would be additional high-speed services through the day and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street during the morning and evening peak times.
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Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

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
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