'Safety warning over grit shortage' diff viewer (33/34) - News Sniffer

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on January 09, 2010 08:17 (UTC). It will not be checked again for changes.

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Version 33	Version 34
Big freeze sparks gritting alert	Big freeze sparks gritting alert
2010-01-09 13:50:32 UTC	2010-01-09 14:10:33 UTC (20 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 it was "dealing with the problem", major roads would be gritted and people would still be able to "get around".	The Local Government Association said it was "dealing with the problem", major roads would be gritted and people would still be able to "get around".
But the AA said some roads "may no longer be safe" after the government asked councils to conserve salt stocks.	But the AA said some roads "may no longer be safe" after the government asked councils to conserve salt stocks.
Local authorities have agreed to cut salt use by 25% in an attempt to preserve dwindling supplies.	Local authorities have agreed to cut salt use by 25% in an attempt to preserve dwindling supplies.
Britain endured another night of sub-zero temperatures, with an overnight low of -14.5C (6F) in Tulloch Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.	Britain endured another night of sub-zero temperatures, with an overnight low of -14.5C (6F) in Tulloch Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.
A 90-year-old woman who was found frozen to death in her garden, near Barnsley, is believed to have slipped in the snow, police confirmed on Saturday.	A 90-year-old woman who was found frozen to death in her garden, near Barnsley, is believed to have slipped in the snow, police confirmed on Saturday.
FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather	FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather
At least 25 people are now thought to have died as a result of weather-related incidents. Charities are calling for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring.	At least 25 people are now thought to have died as a result of weather-related incidents. Charities are calling for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring.
Roads remain treacherous and the government has begun prioritising areas for new salt supplies.	Roads remain treacherous and the government has begun prioritising areas for new salt supplies.
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 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 agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well considering the conditions".	The agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well considering the conditions".
He added: "We have sufficient salt stocks given the weather conditions and given the weather forecast that we're working to."	He added: "We have sufficient salt stocks given the weather conditions and given the weather forecast that we're working to."
The Conservatives have said the move to ration salt is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.	The Conservatives have said the move to ration salt is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said he had raised concerns about salt supplies before Christmas.	Edmund King, president of the AA, said he had raised concerns about salt supplies before Christmas.
"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."	"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."
But David Sparks, of the LGA - which represents councils in England and Wales with responsibility for local roads, said people would still be able to travel.	But David Sparks, of the LGA - which represents councils in England and Wales with responsibility for local roads, said people would still be able to travel.
"The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions. We have done everything we can do," he said.	"The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions. We have done everything we can do," he said.
Travel problems	Travel problems
Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said the onus was not only on the authorities.	Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said the onus was not only on the authorities.
"Drivers need to act responsibly too, lower their travel expectations and be ready for the worst - that might mean people routinely having to have things like snow chains.	"Drivers need to act responsibly too, lower their travel expectations and be ready for the worst - that might mean people routinely having to have things like snow chains.
"You can prepare for every eventuality - but only if you have unlimited time and money. As a country we do not."	"You can prepare for every eventuality - but only if you have unlimited time and money. As a country we do not."
Lane closures are in place in both directions on the Severn Bridge, the M58 near Wigan, and the M6 north of Warrington British Airways has cancelled 54 flights at Heathrow on Saturday. It is warning customers to check its website for delays and cancellations and not travel to the airport if flights are cancelled Eurostar said it was running about two-thirds of its normal Saturday service from London and plans a restricted service on Sunday The Association of Train Operating Companies reports fewer disruptions, with a full service planned for Monday, but 10 operators' services are still affected First TransPennine Express has cancelled all trains between Manchester Airport, York and Newcastle. Buses replace East Coast trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, Inverness and Perth, and Dundee and Aberdeen	Lane closures are in place in both directions on the Severn Bridge, the M58 near Wigan, and the M6 north of Warrington British Airways has cancelled 54 flights at Heathrow on Saturday. It is warning customers to check its website for delays and cancellations and not travel to the airport if flights are cancelled Eurostar said it was running about two-thirds of its normal Saturday service from London and plans a restricted service on Sunday The Association of Train Operating Companies reports fewer disruptions, with a full service planned for Monday, but 10 operators' services are still affected First TransPennine Express has cancelled all trains between Manchester Airport, York and Newcastle. Buses replace East Coast trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, Inverness and Perth, and Dundee and Aberdeen
The weather is also causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with all but two of Saturday's Premier League games called off, a number of race meetings cancelled, and several rugby union matches postponed.	The weather is also causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with all but two of Saturday's Premier League games called off, a number of race meetings cancelled, and several rugby union matches postponed.
Around 400 houses are without gas around Morthoe, North Devon, after water got into the main supply pipe, Wales and West Utilties has said.	Around 400 houses are without gas around Morthoe, North Devon, after water got into the main supply pipe, Wales and West Utilties has said.
Energy supplier EDF has said about 200 homes near Luton, Beds, are still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight.	Energy supplier EDF has said about 200 homes near Luton, Beds, are still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight.
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
Retail research group Synovate said the weather was having an impact on shopping, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 January and 8 January compared with the same period last year.	Retail research group Synovate said the weather was having an impact on shopping, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 January and 8 January compared with the same period last year.
The worst affected regions were south-east and southern England, where numbers were down by 35% year-on-year.	The worst affected regions were south-east and southern England, where numbers were down by 35% year-on-year.
BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said eastern England would see 2cm-5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday, with up to 10cm (4in) in the South East on Saturday night, in particular south and east of London.	BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said eastern England would see 2cm-5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday, with up to 10cm (4in) in the South East on Saturday night, in particular south and east of London.
Snow showers will move across England and Wales on Sunday, with 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, with 2cm-5cm of snow or 10cm on high ground, he added. Temperatures on Sunday should be around freezing.
Age Concern and Help the Aged fear existing government support will not be enough to prevent more older people succumbing to cold.	Age Concern and Help the Aged fear existing government support will not be enough to prevent more older people succumbing to cold.
The charity's head of policy, Andrew Harrop, 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".	The charity's head of policy, Andrew Harrop, 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".
Currently, the over 60s get £250 in one-off winter fuel payments, while the over 80s get £400. Pensioners who receive pension credits 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 who receive pension credits 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."
And an RSPCA helpline has been launched to help farmers whose animals who are at risk as a result of the icy conditions.	And an RSPCA helpline has been launched to help farmers whose animals who are at risk as a result of the icy conditions.
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
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?
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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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