'Battle to beat freeze continues' diff viewer (3/4) - News Sniffer

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on January 10, 2010 16:37 (UTC). It will not be checked again for changes.

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Version 3	Version 4
Battle to beat freeze continues	Battle to beat freeze continues
2010-01-10 17:20:33 UTC	2010-01-10 17:30:31 UTC (10 minutes later)
The government has pledged to do all it can to keep roads and schools open as the severe wintry weather eases its grip on the UK.	The government has pledged to do all it can to keep roads and schools open as the severe wintry weather eases its grip on the UK.
The Met Office downgraded its severe weather warning, but said snow, ice and low temperatures would continue.	The Met Office downgraded its severe weather warning, but said snow, ice and low temperatures would continue.
Nearly all motorways and trunk roads would be open by Monday, the government said.	Nearly all motorways and trunk roads would be open by Monday, the government said.
A man has died after falling through ice on the River Tees in Stockton while trying to rescue his dogs.	A man has died after falling through ice on the River Tees in Stockton while trying to rescue his dogs.
Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton said great efforts were being made nationally and locally to beat the freeze.	Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton said great efforts were being made nationally and locally to beat the freeze.
"Council workers are working extremely hard to ensure that as many of the roads are open as possible so that people can get to work, people can, if at all possible, keep their hospital appointments, and that children can get to school. But there's no doubt that it is very difficult," she said.	"Council workers are working extremely hard to ensure that as many of the roads are open as possible so that people can get to work, people can, if at all possible, keep their hospital appointments, and that children can get to school. But there's no doubt that it is very difficult," she said.
FROZEN BRITAIN Frozen Britain seen from above Special report: Frozen Britain	FROZEN BRITAIN Frozen Britain seen from above Special report: Frozen Britain
UK councils use about 60,000 tonnes of salt daily, and supplies have been running short as the cold snap continues.	UK councils use about 60,000 tonnes of salt daily, and supplies have been running short as the cold snap continues.
The Highways Agency and local authorities have agreed to cut use of grit and salt by 25%. The Highways Agency has stopped gritting hard shoulders on motorways in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January.	The Highways Agency and local authorities have agreed to cut use of grit and salt by 25%. The Highways Agency has stopped gritting hard shoulders on motorways in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January.
Councils have had to focus on making sure main routes - public transport routes, and outside hospitals, schools and supermarkets - are free of ice.	Councils have had to focus on making sure main routes - public transport routes, and outside hospitals, schools and supermarkets - are free of ice.
The Highways Agency said motorways were mostly open. "But we're warning drivers to check their route before setting off, and only to make essential journeys," said a spokesman.	The Highways Agency said motorways were mostly open. "But we're warning drivers to check their route before setting off, and only to make essential journeys," said a spokesman.
Additional salt supplies have been sent out to the worst-off councils, as a Cheshire chemical plant diverted 12,000 tonnes of salt bound for food and chlorine production in Germany.	Additional salt supplies have been sent out to the worst-off councils, as a Cheshire chemical plant diverted 12,000 tonnes of salt bound for food and chlorine production in Germany.
Exam nerves	Exam nerves
Secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have GCSE and A-level exams starting on Monday, but many have been closed due to icy conditions.	Secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have GCSE and A-level exams starting on Monday, but many have been closed due to icy conditions.
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
Teachers, pupils and parents have criticised the exam regulator Ofqual for refusing to postpone the tests.	Teachers, pupils and parents have criticised the exam regulator Ofqual for refusing to postpone the tests.
An Ofqual spokesman said pupils who missed out could sit their modules in summer. "Or - if they were planning to complete their qualification this winter - their school or college can apply for special arrangements to be made to arrive at an estimated grade."	An Ofqual spokesman said pupils who missed out could sit their modules in summer. "Or - if they were planning to complete their qualification this winter - their school or college can apply for special arrangements to be made to arrive at an estimated grade."
Forecasters say slightly milder air has been feeding in from the east, bringing a mix of rain, sleet and some snow, with a slight thaw across parts of England and Wales.	Forecasters say slightly milder air has been feeding in from the east, bringing a mix of rain, sleet and some snow, with a slight thaw across parts of England and Wales.
There will be some further snow overnight, mainly across hilly parts of Wales and northern England, but any disruption is likely to be limited. Many areas will remain icy.	There will be some further snow overnight, mainly across hilly parts of Wales and northern England, but any disruption is likely to be limited. Many areas will remain icy.
The Met Office says it will stay cold and windy in the week ahead, but with daytime temperatures creeping above freezing a slight thaw can be expected in most areas.	The Met Office says it will stay cold and windy in the week ahead, but with daytime temperatures creeping above freezing a slight thaw can be expected in most areas.
Slippery underfoot	Slippery underfoot
The death of the man in Stockton brought the total of weather-related deaths to 27.	The death of the man in Stockton brought the total of weather-related deaths to 27.
On Saturday, a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle.	On Saturday, a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle.
Parents pitch in to clear snow leading to their school	Parents pitch in to clear snow leading to their school
Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District.	Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District.
Easyjet and BA have cancelled some flights, and British Airways told passengers to only come to the airport after checking for delays and cancellations.	Easyjet and BA have cancelled some flights, and British Airways told passengers to only come to the airport after checking for delays and cancellations.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said most operators had returned to normal timetables - although 10 companies continue to run revised services.	The Association of Train Operating Companies said most operators had returned to normal timetables - although 10 companies continue to run revised services.
Other disruptions blamed on the prolonged period of sub-zero weather include:	Other disruptions blamed on the prolonged period of sub-zero weather include:
A&E departments treating more sprained and fractured wrists, ankles and collarbones Red Cross volunteers having one of their busiest periods for 30 years Soldiers delivering meals and supplies to vulnerable people in Kent More call-outs for British Gas engineers to fix boilers and frozen pipes Pubs and restaurants quiet as customers huddle at home Airport and city centre hotels full of stranded passengers Some panic buying of groceries in some shops	A&E departments treating more sprained and fractured wrists, ankles and collarbones Red Cross volunteers having one of their busiest periods for 30 years Soldiers delivering meals and supplies to vulnerable people in Kent More call-outs for British Gas engineers to fix boilers and frozen pipes Pubs and restaurants quiet as customers huddle at home Airport and city centre hotels full of stranded passengers Some panic buying of groceries in some shops
Some schools have taken unusual steps to stay open, from issuing parents and pupils with shovels, to Brighton College bringing in mattresses and sleeping bags for a pre-exam sleep-over.	Some schools have taken unusual steps to stay open, from issuing parents and pupils with shovels, to Brighton College bringing in mattresses and sleeping bags for a pre-exam sleep-over.
At a village primary school in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, the headmistress asked parents to each bring a bucket of council rock salt with them on Monday to help replenish its stocks.	At a village primary school in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, the headmistress asked parents to each bring a bucket of council rock salt with them on Monday to help replenish its stocks.
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 your local shop or supermarket running short of food? Send us a picture or a video.	How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is your local shop or supermarket running short of food? Send us a picture or a video.
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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