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More snow leaves drivers stranded Britain braced for further snow
(about 5 hours later)
A fresh band of snow has brought traffic to a standstill across swathes of south-west England and south Wales. More snow is expected across the whole of the UK making conditions tough for drivers and pedestrians once again.
Police have opened emergency centres for stranded drivers near Exeter and the two main routes into Cornwall are affected. Snowfall in south Wales and south-west England on Tuesday brought traffic to a standstill and shut the Severn Bridge.
There have also been problems on the M4 near Cardiff, with traffic stationary. Police opened emergency centres for stranded drivers near Exeter and main routes into Cornwall were affected.
Forecasters are expecting up to 4cm (1.5ins) of snow, before the wintry weather eases over the weekend. Another snowy spell is expected from Monday.
The Met Office has severe weather warnings in place for south Wales and south-west England.
BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said a covering of snow was possible everywhere in the UK on Wednesday, with 1-4cm (0.4-1.5ins) forecast on lower ground and as much as 10cm (4ins) possible in the hills.
He said it would be a little less cold over the weekend but temperatures would drop again from Monday.
The transport secretary has told local authorities and the Highways Agency to protect salt supplies amid forecasts of 10 more days of freezing weather.The transport secretary has told local authorities and the Highways Agency to protect salt supplies amid forecasts of 10 more days of freezing weather.
And the deadline for UK university applications has been extended by a week because of the adverse weather, the admissions service Ucas has said.And the deadline for UK university applications has been extended by a week because of the adverse weather, the admissions service Ucas has said.
BBC weather forecaster Elizabeth Saary said snow would affect parts of south-west England and Wales into Wednesday morning.
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 cold weather, see the NHS Winter Health website Pothole warning after UK freeze Traffic 'gridlock' as snow fallsWEATHER 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 cold weather, see the NHS Winter Health website Pothole warning after UK freeze Traffic 'gridlock' as snow falls
Between 2 and 5cms (0.8-2ins) are expected, with up to 15cms across the moors and as much as 20cms on the hills of south-east Wales. The Severn Bridge is currently closed in both directions while the road is treated, according to the Highways Agency.
But on Wednesday the front will weaken as it moves north east and the strong south easterly winds will start to ease. Heavy snow started to fall in parts of Devon on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread travel problems including flight cancellations at Plymouth Airport.
Heavy snow started to fall in parts of Devon in the afternoon, causing widespread travel problems including flight cancellations at Plymouth Airport. There were problems on the M4 near Cardiff, with traffic stationary.
Hundreds of drivers were stranded on Telegraph Hill and Haldon Hill, near Exeter from about rush hour.Hundreds of drivers were stranded on Telegraph Hill and Haldon Hill, near Exeter from about rush hour.
Police urged motorists to stay in their cars while traffic officers could take them to rest centres.Police urged motorists to stay in their cars while traffic officers could take them to rest centres.
There were also problems on the A361 between Rackenford and Knowstone in Devon and East Cornwall around Bodmin and Liskeard was also badly affected by the weather conditions.There were also problems on the A361 between Rackenford and Knowstone in Devon and East Cornwall around Bodmin and Liskeard was also badly affected by the weather conditions.
In south Wales, police urged motorists not to travel after snowfall caused severe traffic problems around the M4 and other major routes.In south Wales, police urged motorists not to travel after snowfall caused severe traffic problems around the M4 and other major routes.
Snow started falling in Pembrokeshire at lunchtime, and moved eastwards within a couple of hours.Snow started falling in Pembrokeshire at lunchtime, and moved eastwards within a couple of hours.
If we did not act decisively reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues Lord Adonis, Transport SecretaryIf we did not act decisively reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues Lord Adonis, Transport Secretary
Bus services were suspended in Swansea and Pembrokeshire in the evening, and curtailed in neighbouring counties.Bus services were suspended in Swansea and Pembrokeshire in the evening, and curtailed in neighbouring counties.
Many schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf in the South Wales Valleys and Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales will be closed on Wednesday because of the weather, the local councils have announced. Councils have closed many schools on Wednesday in Rhondda Cynon Taf in the South Wales Valleys and Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales because of the weather.
Meanwhile, plumbers and utilities firms across the UK say they have taken thousands of calls about leaks from frozen pipes. Meanwhile, plumbers and utilities firms across the UK say they have taken thousands of calls about frozen pipes.
And the Institution of Civil Engineers said the cycle of freezing and thawing water will widen cracks in road surfaces, creating potholes.And the Institution of Civil Engineers said the cycle of freezing and thawing water will widen cracks in road surfaces, creating potholes.
The London-bound M20 in Kent - one of the UK's busiest roads - underwent emergency repair work because of damage caused by the snow.The London-bound M20 in Kent - one of the UK's busiest roads - underwent emergency repair work because of damage caused by the snow.
Local authorities and the Highways Agency have agreed to almost halve the amount of salt they use on England's roads compared with last week.Local authorities and the Highways Agency have agreed to almost halve the amount of salt they use on England's roads compared with last week.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the reductions were to give "a firm assurance" that roads can be kept open.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the reductions were to give "a firm assurance" that roads can be kept open.
"If we did not act decisively reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues," he said. "If we did not act decisively, reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues," he said.
Councils across Wales, meanwhile, have had to resort to ration salt. Councils across Wales, meanwhile, have had to resort to rationing salt.
But First Minister Carwyn Jones said extra gritting salt was expected to arrive by the end of the week.But First Minister Carwyn Jones said extra gritting salt was expected to arrive by the end of the week.
Are you stuck in traffic? Or have you been affected by the snow in south-west England and south Wales? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are you stuck in traffic? Or have you been affected by the snow in south-west England and south Wales? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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