'UK braced for weekend icy blasts' diff viewer (33/34) - News Sniffer

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Version 33	Version 34
UK braced for weekend icy blasts	UK braced for weekend icy blasts
2010-01-08 23:50:32 UTC	2010-01-09 00:00:29 UTC (10 minutes later)
Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.	Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.
The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.	The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.
The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.	The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.
The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.	The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.
As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents.	As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents.
The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.	The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.
FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Coldest place residents 'coping'	FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Coldest place residents 'coping'
Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers.	Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers.
Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.	Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.
Up to 20cm (7.8in) of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.	Up to 20cm (7.8in) of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.
Lord Adonis announced the salt cut decision following a meeting of the "Salt Cell" - a body made up of ministers, the Highways Agency and local authorities.	Lord Adonis announced the salt cut decision following a meeting of the "Salt Cell" - a body made up of ministers, the Highways Agency and local authorities.
Supplies of salt have been close to running out in some areas, with many councils restricting gritting to major roads.	Supplies of salt have been close to running out in some areas, with many councils restricting gritting to major roads.
The government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January.	The government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January.
Shadow local government and communities secretary Caroline Spelman told BBC Radio 5 live the government had failed to listen to a warning report by councils published last year on the matter.	Shadow local government and communities secretary Caroline Spelman told BBC Radio 5 live the government had failed to listen to a warning report by councils published last year on the matter.
However Lord Adonis rejected these claims.	However Lord Adonis rejected these claims.
Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.	Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.
Fresh snow	Fresh snow
Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to several ministers and agencies about the severe weather during a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office and said the government was doing it all it could.	Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to several ministers and agencies about the severe weather during a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office and said the government was doing it all it could.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website	WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said there was no need to worry about energy supplies and that the situation was being closely monitored.	Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said there was no need to worry about energy supplies and that the situation was being closely monitored.
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm (1.2in) was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and on Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.	BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm (1.2in) was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and on Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.
He said: "The wind is picking up and there will be an increased wind chill. For humans that is the big factor that will make it seem colder."	He said: "The wind is picking up and there will be an increased wind chill. For humans that is the big factor that will make it seem colder."
Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.	Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.
The government has insisted schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather although more than 8,000 schools remained closed on Friday.	The government has insisted schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather although more than 8,000 schools remained closed on Friday.
However there are fears that thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may have to wait another five months to take exam modules because of the problems caused by the weather.	However there are fears that thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may have to wait another five months to take exam modules because of the problems caused by the weather.
Thieves using a lorry with heavy-lifting gear stole a grit bin with two tonnes of salt intended for streets and footpaths from a road in Newton Mearns outside Glasgow.	Thieves using a lorry with heavy-lifting gear stole a grit bin with two tonnes of salt intended for streets and footpaths from a road in Newton Mearns outside Glasgow.
Hardy swimmers take the plunge in icy water at the Serpentine in London	Hardy swimmers take the plunge in icy water at the Serpentine in London
Milk deliveries have also been disrupted, with tankers struggling to reach dairy farms.	Milk deliveries have also been disrupted, with tankers struggling to reach dairy farms.
Some farmers have had to dump supplies as few have large storage facilities while, in Scotland, several barn roofs have collapsed under the weight of snow.	Some farmers have had to dump supplies as few have large storage facilities while, in Scotland, several barn roofs have collapsed under the weight of snow.
Electricity suppliers say "a few hundred" homes in southern England are without power after 5,000 were cut off by weather-related problems on Thursday.	Electricity suppliers say "a few hundred" homes in southern England are without power after 5,000 were cut off by weather-related problems on Thursday.
Fear for elderly	Fear for elderly
Andrew Harrop, head of policy at the charity Age Concern, warned that older people might feel "too frightened to venture out" because of the weather and so could become prisoners in their own home.	Andrew Harrop, head of policy at the charity Age Concern, warned that older people might feel "too frightened to venture out" because of the weather and so could become prisoners in their own home.
Travel problems persist, with passengers advised to check their flight's status before going to the airport:	Travel problems persist, with passengers advised to check their flight's status before going to the airport:
Easyjet cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted. All airports are now open, though suffering from widespread delays British Waterways said nearly 90% of its 2,200-mile (3,540-km) river and canal network had frozen solid Train companies operating revised timetables include East Coast, ScotRail, First Great Western, South West Trains, Southern and Southeastern, while Eurostar is operating a restricted service until Sunday Rail passengers travelling through Birmingham are warned of severe delays because of signalling problems at New Street. This affects some Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, London Midland and Wrexham and Shropshire services Snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby, Merseyside, and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge Updates can be found at BBC Travel News The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with football's Premier League among those affected	Easyjet cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted. All airports are now open, though suffering from widespread delays British Waterways said nearly 90% of its 2,200-mile (3,540-km) river and canal network had frozen solid Train companies operating revised timetables include East Coast, ScotRail, First Great Western, South West Trains, Southern and Southeastern, while Eurostar is operating a restricted service until Sunday Rail passengers travelling through Birmingham are warned of severe delays because of signalling problems at New Street. This affects some Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, London Midland and Wrexham and Shropshire services Snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby, Merseyside, and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge Updates can be found at BBC Travel News The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with football's Premier League among those affected
The RAC said its patrol teams were receiving about 1,500 calls an hour - more than twice as many as normal.	The RAC said its patrol teams were receiving about 1,500 calls an hour - more than twice as many as normal.
But nearly 100 businesses were forced to stop using gas by the National Grid as it tried to ration supplies after demand in the UK reached record levels.	But nearly 100 businesses were forced to stop using gas by the National Grid as it tried to ration supplies after demand in the UK reached record levels.
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER	FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER

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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
Temperature tab only	Temperature tab only
Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather	Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather

Are you in Altnaharra, or another area affected by the winter freeze? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.	Are you in Altnaharra, or another area affected by the winter freeze? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.
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