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/8429346.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Christmas Eve travel ice warning Weather eases for holiday getaway
(about 1 hour later)
Christmas Eve travellers face another day of disruption as the UK wakes to widespread ice and freezing fog. Millions are facing their final chance to get away for Christmas, with conditions easing in most areas but fresh warnings of ice in Scotland.
Warnings were issued across England, Wales and Northern Ireland after rain showers fell on already icy roads, sparing only south-east England. Roads across the UK could have their busiest day on the roads this year, as motorists who delayed journeys due to bad weather finally set out.
In Scotland temperatures plunged to minus 16C in the Highlands and minus 11C in Edinburgh overnight. There are delays and cancellations at the UK's major airports.
In Lincolnshire one person was reported killed as black ice caused some 40 crashes, police said. And the Met Office has issued a warning of heavy snow and widespread ice for Lothian and Borders in Scotland.
Eurostar says it will be operating a near-normal service on Christmas Eve, after suspending services on Saturday, Sunday and Monday following train breakdowns.Eurostar says it will be operating a near-normal service on Christmas Eve, after suspending services on Saturday, Sunday and Monday following train breakdowns.
M1 delays
The company said any passenger with tickets for 19-24 December would be able to travel.The company said any passenger with tickets for 19-24 December would be able to travel.
"We're hoping to get everyone away for Christmas today," said a Eurostar spokeswoman."We're hoping to get everyone away for Christmas today," said a Eurostar spokeswoman.
Road delays
The M1 is currently closed southbound, at junction 18, Watford Gap services, due to an overturned lorry.The M1 is currently closed southbound, at junction 18, Watford Gap services, due to an overturned lorry.
Many people have already delayed their travel but drivers are being advised to consider waiting until Christmas Day itself when warmer weather is forecast. The AA said it expected 12m motorists, almost a third of the nation's cars, to travel to a Christmas destination but it said this has been spread over a few days due to the weather.
England's motorways and main roads were generally working normally, but the problem was with local side roads, it said.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA, said: "Don't be afraid to delay your journey. Christmas can always be rolled back a day. Think safety before obligation."
Scene in the Scottish Borders on Wednesday, where more snow is due
The AA said it had been at its busiest for over two decades, attending around 18,000 breakdowns on Wednesday.
The RAC said because people had been waiting for weather to clear, Thursday could be one of the busiest of the year, with delays expected.
RAC patrol manager David Hoares said: "You really must check your local weather and the traffic situation where you live and where your journey is going to before you decide whether you have to travel."RAC patrol manager David Hoares said: "You really must check your local weather and the traffic situation where you live and where your journey is going to before you decide whether you have to travel."
England's motorways and main are generally working normally, but the problem is with local side roads, the AA said. On Wednesday night, in Lincolnshire one person was reported killed as black ice caused some 40 crashes, police said.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA, said: "Don't be afraid to delay your journey. Christmas can always be rolled back a day. Think safety before obligation," he said. Airports
Freezing fog Some 300,000 people are expected to travel through the UK's airports on Christmas Eve.
The Met Office has issued a warning of heavy snow and widespread ice for central and south eastern Scotland, where up to five centimetres of snow could fall.
But prospects of a white Christmas have receded for most of the UK. Only the north-east of Scotland is likely to see light snow showers on Friday.
In northern England the temperature fell to between minus 2C and minus 3C in Northern Ireland to between minus 4C and minus 6C.
In Wales the temperature hovered around zero C, while southern England was spared frost with temperatures of between 2C and 4C.
A Ryanair plane slid off the runway at Prestwick
The BBC weather centre said many parts of Scotland were set to have sub-zero daytime temperatures, while pockets of freezing fog in the central lowlands and in Northern Ireland were likely to linger throughout the day.
Scotrail says services will be restricted between Glasgow Central station and Ayr, Largs, Ardrossan, Gourock and Wemyss Bay.
Liverpool Airport reopened on Wednesday night after a deluge of snow forced it to close briefly, with travellers warned to expect delays.Liverpool Airport reopened on Wednesday night after a deluge of snow forced it to close briefly, with travellers warned to expect delays.
Delays are also expected at Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick airports - where staff have had to clear snow and ice from runways.Delays are also expected at Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick airports - where staff have had to clear snow and ice from runways.
On Wednesday a Ryanair jet with 129 people on board skidded off the runway at Prestwick after hitting a patch of ice. No-one was hurt.
EasyJet has already cancelled a number of Thursday flights, while British Airways said the majority of its flights were operating normally but warned passengers to check before setting off for the airport.EasyJet has already cancelled a number of Thursday flights, while British Airways said the majority of its flights were operating normally but warned passengers to check before setting off for the airport.
Gatwick said it was operating normally but warned of minor delays.Gatwick said it was operating normally but warned of minor delays.
British Airways said its services were running normally at Heathrow, with the airport expected to handle around 144,000 passengers on Thursday.British Airways said its services were running normally at Heathrow, with the airport expected to handle around 144,000 passengers on Thursday.
There are some delays and cancellations at Stansted airport in Essex, where 34,000 are passing through. There are some delays and cancellations at Stansted airport in Essex, where 34,000 people are passing through.
On Wednesday a Ryanair jet with 129 people on board skidded off the runway at Prestwick after hitting a patch of ice. No-one was hurt.
On the trains, Scotrail says services will be restricted between Glasgow Central station and Ayr, Largs, Ardrossan, Gourock and Wemyss Bay.
Prospects of a white Christmas have receded for most of the UK. Only the north-east of Scotland is likely to see light snow showers on Friday.
In Scotland temperatures plunged to minus 16C in the Highlands and minus 11C in Edinburgh overnight.
Javascript and Flash plug-in requiredEither the Flash plugin was not detected on your computer or the JavaScript features of your brower have been disabled.To enable Javascript on your browser we recommend that you contact your computer support line.Download the Flash plugin from the Adobe websiteJavascript and Flash plug-in requiredEither the Flash plugin was not detected on your computer or the JavaScript features of your brower have been disabled.To enable Javascript on your browser we recommend that you contact your computer support line.Download the Flash plugin from the Adobe website
For more travel information please visit the BBC Travel website.For more travel information please visit the BBC Travel website.
Have you been affected by the winter weather? Send us your stories, pictures and video.Have you been affected by the winter weather? Send us your stories, pictures and video.
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
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