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Fresh snow brings more disruption | Fresh snow brings more disruption |
(10 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 falls | 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 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 and City, Birmingham International, Southampton 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. |
London Heathrow Airport reported the cancellation of 84 mostly short-haul or domestic flights, both arrivals and departures. | London Heathrow Airport reported the cancellation of 84 mostly short-haul or domestic flights, both arrivals and departures. |
School closures are once again widespread, although most secondary schools were open for exam pupils. | School closures are once again widespread, although most secondary schools were open for exam pupils. |
About 170 shut in Wiltshire and Swindon, and 215 in Gloucestershire, where snow ploughs were clearing two feet of snow on some routes. | About 170 shut in Wiltshire and Swindon, and 215 in Gloucestershire, where snow ploughs were clearing two feet of snow on some routes. |
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. | 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. | 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 | 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. |
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: |
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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: | Weather: UK: |
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER | FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER |
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9 | The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9 |
Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy | Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy |
Temperature tab only | Temperature tab only |
Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather | 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |