This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8455579.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Fresh snow brings more disruption Fresh snow brings more disruption
(20 minutes later)
Fresh snow - forecast for the whole of the UK - has begun to fall, creating more problems for transport as road salt rationing increases.Fresh snow - forecast for the whole of the UK - has begun to fall, creating more problems for transport as road salt rationing increases.
Forecasters are expecting up to 4cm (1.5in) of snow in some parts, before the weather eases at the weekend.Forecasters are expecting up to 4cm (1.5in) of snow in some parts, before the weather eases at the weekend.
Met Office severe weather warnings apply to north-west England, the West Midlands, Wales and southern England.Met Office severe weather warnings apply to north-west England, the West Midlands, Wales and southern England.
The M48 old Severn Bridge is shut after snow in south-west England and south Wales, which stranded drivers in Devon.The M48 old Severn Bridge is shut after snow in south-west England and south Wales, which stranded drivers in Devon.
Police and the Highways Agency apologised to motorists after hundreds of people became stuck for hours in blizzards on Haldon Hill and Telegraph Hill, near Exeter, during rush hour on Tuesday.Police and the Highways Agency apologised to motorists after hundreds of people became stuck for hours in blizzards on Haldon Hill and Telegraph Hill, near Exeter, during rush hour on Tuesday.
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
A similar situation arose less than a year ago.A similar situation arose less than a year ago.
Brian Jarvis, from Torquay, was among those stuck. He said the situation was made worse because emergency crews and snow ploughs could not get through traffic.Brian Jarvis, from Torquay, was among those stuck. He said the situation was made worse because emergency crews and snow ploughs could not get through traffic.
"It was grid locked by cars within minutes, the same problem as last year," he added."It was grid locked by cars within minutes, the same problem as last year," he added.
Devon Fire and Rescue Service and Dartmoor Rescue Group set up rest centres.Devon Fire and Rescue Service and Dartmoor Rescue Group set up rest centres.
By Wednesday morning, runways at London's Gatwick, Birmingham International and Cardiff airports were closed because of snow, causing delays and cancellations. By Wednesday morning, runways at London's Gatwick and City, Birmingham International, Southampton and Cardiff airports were closed because of snow, causing delays and cancellations.
The number of school closures, which had fallen this week, is likely to rise again in some areas. London Heathrow Airport reported the cancellation of 84 mostly short-haul or domestic flights, both arrivals and departures.
About 215 are shut in Gloucestershire, where snow ploughs were clearing two feet of snow on some routes, although secondary schools were open for exam pupils. School closures are once again widespread, although most secondary schools were open for exam pupils.
A further 300 were shut in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, where ambulance crews reported difficulties and one team had to be rescued from snow by a 4x4 vehicle. About 170 shut in Wiltshire and Swindon, and 215 in Gloucestershire, where snow ploughs were clearing two feet of snow on some routes.
More than 600 schools in Wales - half the total - are closed. One school in Rhondda Cynon Taf has cancelled its exam sitting. A further 300 closed in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, where ambulance crews reported difficulties and one team had to be rescued from snow by a 4x4 vehicle.
More than 600 schools in Wales - half the total - did not open. One school in Rhondda Cynon Taf has cancelled its exam sitting.
Recent closures prompted university admissions service Ucas to extend its application deadline for pupils at weather-hit schools by a week to 22 January.Recent closures prompted university admissions service Ucas to extend its application deadline for pupils at weather-hit schools by a week to 22 January.
BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said a covering of snow was possible everywhere in the UK on Wednesday, with 1-4cm (0.4-1.5in) forecast on lower ground and as much as 10cm (4in) possible in the hills.BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said a covering of snow was possible everywhere in the UK on Wednesday, with 1-4cm (0.4-1.5in) forecast on lower ground and as much as 10cm (4in) possible in the hills.
Travel problems
He said it would be a little less cold during the weekend, but temperatures would drop again from Monday.He said it would be a little less cold during the weekend, but temperatures would drop again from Monday.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has told local authorities and the Highways Agency to protect salt supplies further amid forecasts of 10 more days of freezing weather.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has told local authorities and the Highways Agency to protect salt supplies further amid forecasts of 10 more days of freezing weather.
Frozen pipes
Councils that had already agreed to cut gritting by 25% are now having to almost halve the amount of salt used.Councils that had already agreed to cut gritting by 25% are now having to almost halve the amount of salt used.
"If we did not act decisively, reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues," said Lord Adonis."If we did not act decisively, reserves would run down fast and essential roads would be at risk of closure if the freeze continues," said Lord Adonis.
Many police forces are advising drivers to stay off the roads for all but essential journeys:Many police forces are advising drivers to stay off the roads for all but essential journeys:
  • Police say black ice is a major problem in North Yorkshire, where a gritting lorry went into a ditch near Harrogate. West Yorkshire Fire Service reported a spate of incidents, including two vehicles hitting buildings
  • In Sussex, where 5cm (2in) of snow fell overnight, police have had reports of 70 incidents, many weather-related, such as minor crashes and stranded cars blocking roads
  • A number of roads in the Highlands were closed, while motorists were travelling in convoy behind a snow plough on the A9 between Kingussie and Blair Atholl, Perthshire
  • Ten train operators - including Eurostar - report disruption, with signalling problems between Hereford and Worcester causing delays. Southern train services around Brighton are subject to delays and replacement by buses.
  • Buses continue to replace East Coast trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Inverness and Perth, while some services through North Yorkshire and local to Manchester are still affected.
  • Police say black ice is a major problem in North Yorkshire, where a gritting lorry went into a ditch near Harrogate. West Yorkshire Fire Service reported a spate of incidents, including two vehicles hitting buildings
  • In Sussex, where 5cm (2in) of snow fell overnight, police have had reports of 70 incidents, many weather-related, such as minor crashes and stranded cars blocking roads
  • A number of roads in the Highlands were closed, while motorists were travelling in convoy behind a snow plough on the A9 between Kingussie and Blair Atholl, Perthshire
  • The A470 between Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon was shut in both directions with local diversions in place
  • Eleven train operators - including Eurostar - report disruption, with signalling problems between Hereford and Worcester causing delays. Southern train services around Brighton are subject to delays and replacement by buses.
  • Buses continue to replace East Coast trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Inverness and Perth, while some services through North Yorkshire and local to Manchester are still affected.
  • Snow and ice caused an electrical fire aboard an empty South West train, causing the suspension of services between Southampton and Waterloo
People in Cockermouth, which was devastated by the floods that hit Cumbria in November, have said leaks are causing fresh misery.People in Cockermouth, which was devastated by the floods that hit Cumbria in November, have said leaks are causing fresh misery.
Several water companies say frozen pipes and mains leaks are a major problem.Several water companies say frozen pipes and mains leaks are a major problem.
And the Institution of Civil Engineers said the cycle of freezing and thawing water would widen cracks in road surfaces, creating potholes.And the Institution of Civil Engineers said the cycle of freezing and thawing water would 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.
Weather: UK:
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

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 (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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:
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions