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Big freeze sparks gritting alert Big freeze sparks gritting alert
(10 minutes later)
Local authorities are battling to keep major routes clear as gritting salt is rationed and the big freeze continues.Local authorities are battling to keep major routes clear as gritting salt is rationed and the big freeze continues.
The Local Government Association said major roads would be gritted and people would still be able to "get around".The Local Government Association said major roads would be gritted and people would still be able to "get around".
But Paul Watters of the AA said some roads "may no longer be safe" after the government asked councils to conserve salt stocks.But Paul Watters of the AA said some roads "may no longer be safe" after the government asked councils to conserve salt stocks.
And charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased.And charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased.
Local authorities have agreed to cut salt use by 25% due to dwindling salt supplies.Local authorities have agreed to cut salt use by 25% due to dwindling salt supplies.
The Highways Authority has already stopped treating motorway hard shoulders and the government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January. The Highways Agency has already stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England and the government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January.
The Conservatives have said the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.The Conservatives have said the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.
Mr Watters said the AA was surprised councils had agreed to cut the amount of salt they were using, as it was already being mixed with grit to try and extend its reach.Mr Watters said the AA was surprised councils had agreed to cut the amount of salt they were using, as it was already being mixed with grit to try and extend its reach.
"The roads we come to expect to be safe may no longer be safe, and I think people need to know which roads are and which roads aren't going to be treated any more so that we can at least have an indication where our journey are going to be hazardous and maybe delayed.""The roads we come to expect to be safe may no longer be safe, and I think people need to know which roads are and which roads aren't going to be treated any more so that we can at least have an indication where our journey are going to be hazardous and maybe delayed."
FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weatherFROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather
And Edmund King, president of the AA, said he had raised concerns with government prior to Christmas about the level of grit and salt supplies.And Edmund King, president of the AA, said he had raised concerns with government prior to Christmas about the level of grit and salt supplies.
"We were not assured that everyone was as prepared as they should have been… and that's why I wrote to the Local Government Association in November, prior to the cold set. "We were not assured that everyone was as prepared as they should have been… and that's why I wrote to the Local Government Association in November, prior to the cold snap.
"There is more we could have done. We could have had more supplies to begin with.""There is more we could have done. We could have had more supplies to begin with."
But David Sparks, of the LGA, said people would still be able to travel despite the shortages in grit and salt. But David Sparks, of the LGA, said people would still be able to travel despite the shortages of grit and salt.
"The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions... at the moment we have done everything we can do, and we're in partnership with the government, and we are dealing with this problem," he said."The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions... at the moment we have done everything we can do, and we're in partnership with the government, and we are dealing with this problem," he said.
The harsh weather has caused major disruption to British Airways' schedule, with 54 flights cancelled at Heathrow on Saturday.The harsh weather has caused major disruption to British Airways' schedule, with 54 flights cancelled at Heathrow on Saturday.
BA is warning customers to check its website to see whether their flight is cancelled or delayed before heading for the airport. Customers whose flights are cancelled are being told not to travel to the airport.BA is warning customers to check its website to see whether their flight is cancelled or delayed before heading for the airport. Customers whose flights are cancelled are being told not to travel to the airport.
The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme. The weather is also causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme.
Five Premier League games have been called off - at Sunderland, Fulham, Hull, Burnley and Liverpool - as well as dozens of other league games. Six Premier League games have been called off - at Wigan, Sunderland, Fulham, Hull, Burnley and Liverpool - as well as dozens of other league games.
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 class="" href="/2/hi/in_depth/uk/2010/frozen_britain/default.stm">Special report: Frozen Britain
Horse racing is also affected, with a number of meetings cancelled, and a series of rugby union matches postponed.Horse racing is also affected, with a number of meetings cancelled, and a series of rugby union matches postponed.
BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said eastern parts of England would see 2cm-5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday, but that there could be 5cm-10cm (2in-4in) in the south-east of England on Saturday night, in particular to the south and east of London.BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said eastern parts of England would see 2cm-5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday, but that there could be 5cm-10cm (2in-4in) in the south-east of England on Saturday night, in particular to the south and east of London.
Snow showers will move across England and Wales on Sunday, which could result in 2cm-5cm of snow or 10cm on high ground, he added. Temperatures on Sunday should be around freezing.Snow showers will move across England and Wales on Sunday, which could result in 2cm-5cm of snow or 10cm on high ground, he added. Temperatures on Sunday should be around freezing.
As Britain's coldest spell for 30 years continues, Age Concern and Help the Aged fear the existing government support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older people.As Britain's coldest spell for 30 years continues, Age Concern and Help the Aged fear the existing government support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older people.
Pensioners get annual fuel allowance plus cold weather payments if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days. Andrew Harrop, head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said cold weather and winter fuel payments had not kept up with the rate of increase in energy bills in recent years and were "only a sticking plaster to the entrenched problem of fuel poverty".
Fuel payments Wildlife concerns
Last winter, 36,700 more people died than would have been expected, nearly 50% more than the previous year's figures.
Andrew Harrop, head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Cold weather and winter fuel payments have provided welcome extra cash to help lower income households pay their heating costs.
"But these one-off payments haven't kept pace with the steep increase to energy bills over the last few years and are only a sticking plaster to the entrenched problem of fuel poverty."
Currently, the over 60s get £250 in one-off winter fuel payments, while the over 80s get £400. Pensioners also get a cold weather payment if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.Currently, the over 60s get £250 in one-off winter fuel payments, while the over 80s get £400. Pensioners also get a cold weather payment if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.
Energy Minister David Kidney said: "We specially increased the cold weather payment last year from £8.50 a week to £25 a week which is a substantial increase."Energy Minister David Kidney said: "We specially increased the cold weather payment last year from £8.50 a week to £25 a week which is a substantial increase."
As temperatures remain 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.
Wildlife concerns
Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.
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.
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.
Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra. Two brothers have died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.
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. And 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.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has warned the cold weather threatens to be the greatest wildlife disaster of the new millennium. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that the freeze could be the single biggest killer of birds since the Arctic snap of the early 1960s and has asked the public to help feed them.
It says that the freeze could be the single biggest killer of birds since the Arctic snap of the early 1960s and has asked the public to help feed them. Updates can be found at BBC Travel News
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHERFORECAST 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 onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game?How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game?
Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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