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Hauliers' working hours relaxed to aid supplies Hauliers' working hours relaxed to aid supplies
(40 minutes later)
The government has temporarily relaxed the legal restrictions on the length of time lorry drivers can work to help ease the backlog caused by snow.The government has temporarily relaxed the legal restrictions on the length of time lorry drivers can work to help ease the backlog caused by snow.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said allowing hauliers to drive for an extra hour a day for the next four days would help deliveries of "vital supplies".Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said allowing hauliers to drive for an extra hour a day for the next four days would help deliveries of "vital supplies".
Royal Mail reported problems with about 10% of deliveries on Friday, and pumps at hundreds of garages could run dry.Royal Mail reported problems with about 10% of deliveries on Friday, and pumps at hundreds of garages could run dry.
Forecasters are warning freezing conditions could continue next week.Forecasters are warning freezing conditions could continue next week.
There are Met Office warnings of icy roads covering much of the UK, while the weekend sport schedule, from football to horse racing, has also been hit.There are Met Office warnings of icy roads covering much of the UK, while the weekend sport schedule, from football to horse racing, has also been hit.
Scotland is worst-hit, with all Scottish Premier League football off and only one lower league game, at Alloa, still on.Scotland is worst-hit, with all Scottish Premier League football off and only one lower league game, at Alloa, still on.
In England, the teatime Premier League clash between Blackpool and Manchester United has been postponed, along with many Football League fixtures.In England, the teatime Premier League clash between Blackpool and Manchester United has been postponed, along with many Football League fixtures.
Various rugby union and horse racing fixtures have also fallen victim to the weather.Various rugby union and horse racing fixtures have also fallen victim to the weather.
'Exceptional conditions''Exceptional conditions'
Announcing the temporary driving relaxation - which has increased the daily driving limit from nine to 10 hours - Mr Hammond said: "During these exceptional conditions we must do everything we can to keep Britain moving.Announcing the temporary driving relaxation - which has increased the daily driving limit from nine to 10 hours - Mr Hammond said: "During these exceptional conditions we must do everything we can to keep Britain moving.
"That is why I have authorised a temporary relaxation of drivers' hours and working time rules for all HGV drivers over the next four days. This will ensure that vital supplies get to their destination on time.""That is why I have authorised a temporary relaxation of drivers' hours and working time rules for all HGV drivers over the next four days. This will ensure that vital supplies get to their destination on time."
The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, which represents the majority of oil distribution companies in Britain, weclomed the relaxation, saying it would help distributors catch up with any backlog of orders.The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, which represents the majority of oil distribution companies in Britain, weclomed the relaxation, saying it would help distributors catch up with any backlog of orders.
A Downing Street spokesman said there were no major concerns over supplies of food, petrol, diesel or gas.A Downing Street spokesman said there were no major concerns over supplies of food, petrol, diesel or gas.
But the Independent Petrol Retailers Association says up to 500 garages are worried they could run out of fuel this weekend.But the Independent Petrol Retailers Association says up to 500 garages are worried they could run out of fuel this weekend.
It advised customers who have a good supply of oil to delay ordering a top-up until the current backlog had been dealt with.It advised customers who have a good supply of oil to delay ordering a top-up until the current backlog had been dealt with.
Royal Mail said delivery problems on Friday affected two million households. Paul Tollhurst, operations director at Royal Mail, said two million households received no mail at all on Friday but the improvement in weather had meant it could "start pumping mail through" on Saturday.
"We are taking on additional trucks and indeed we've got some extra train services running both northbound out of London towards Glasgow and up the East Coast mainline towards Newcastle," he said.
Extra staff have also been taken on as this is traditionally the busiest weekend for online trading before Christmas, he added.
Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing during daytime this weekend.Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing during daytime this weekend.
Most places can expect outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow on Saturday, with further heavy snow likely in northern Scotland over the weekend.Most places can expect outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow on Saturday, with further heavy snow likely in northern Scotland over the weekend.
Heavy rain along the coast of south-east England, combined with snow melt, could cause surface flooding later on Saturday, warned BBC forecaster Alex Deakin.Heavy rain along the coast of south-east England, combined with snow melt, could cause surface flooding later on Saturday, warned BBC forecaster Alex Deakin.
Dry and bright conditions are expected on Sunday, he said.Dry and bright conditions are expected on Sunday, he said.
Severe weather warnings of heavy snow and widespread ice have been issued for Cumbria and parts of mid and south Wales.Severe weather warnings of heavy snow and widespread ice have been issued for Cumbria and parts of mid and south Wales.
Ice warnings are also in place for the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, Grampian, Strathclyde, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders, Northern Ireland, Wales, north-west England, the Midlands, East of England, south-west England, and London and the South East.Ice warnings are also in place for the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, Grampian, Strathclyde, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders, Northern Ireland, Wales, north-west England, the Midlands, East of England, south-west England, and London and the South East.
As the severe weather eases, some trains have been restored to the north of Scotland after snow virtually wiped out services beyond the central belt on Friday.As the severe weather eases, some trains have been restored to the north of Scotland after snow virtually wiped out services beyond the central belt on Friday.
ScotRail says there is a reduced service running between Aberdeen and Inverness and Edinburgh and Inverness, and buses will be running instead of trains between Glasgow and Aberdeen.ScotRail says there is a reduced service running between Aberdeen and Inverness and Edinburgh and Inverness, and buses will be running instead of trains between Glasgow and Aberdeen.
'Widespread ice''Widespread ice'
The heavy snowfall has benefited Scotland's ski centres, with the Nevis Range enjoying its earliest start to a season for 13 years.The heavy snowfall has benefited Scotland's ski centres, with the Nevis Range enjoying its earliest start to a season for 13 years.
However, walkers, skiers and climbers have been urged to watch out for avalanches and plan their routes carefully as they take to Scotland's mountains this weekend.However, walkers, skiers and climbers have been urged to watch out for avalanches and plan their routes carefully as they take to Scotland's mountains this weekend.
The RAC said after receiving nearly 15,000 calls on Friday and nearly 140,000 since the start of the bad weather, it had been a relatively quiet Saturday morning. Wales was the busiest area due to icy roads.The RAC said after receiving nearly 15,000 calls on Friday and nearly 140,000 since the start of the bad weather, it had been a relatively quiet Saturday morning. Wales was the busiest area due to icy roads.
A spokesman said: "Drivers are advised to check out local road and weather conditions before setting out as, despite the apparent improved weather in many parts of the country, many roads are still treacherous.A spokesman said: "Drivers are advised to check out local road and weather conditions before setting out as, despite the apparent improved weather in many parts of the country, many roads are still treacherous.
"And with temperatures falling later in the day drivers can expect to see widespread icy conditions.""And with temperatures falling later in the day drivers can expect to see widespread icy conditions."
The AA said it had attended about 17,500 breakdowns across the UK up to 1700 GMT on Friday - up from about 16,000 on Thursday. A typical Friday, normally the organisation's quietest day, brings about 9,500 call-outs. The busiest areas were Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford.The AA said it had attended about 17,500 breakdowns across the UK up to 1700 GMT on Friday - up from about 16,000 on Thursday. A typical Friday, normally the organisation's quietest day, brings about 9,500 call-outs. The busiest areas were Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford.
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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 onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
Many rail operators are warning of delays on routes. National Rail Enquiries has set up a hotline on 08453 017 641, and also has updates at @nationalrailenq on Twitter.Many rail operators are warning of delays on routes. National Rail Enquiries has set up a hotline on 08453 017 641, and also has updates at @nationalrailenq on Twitter.
Eurostar cancelled 17 trips on Friday and said its timetable would be significantly reduced, with cancellations and delays, until Sunday.Eurostar cancelled 17 trips on Friday and said its timetable would be significantly reduced, with cancellations and delays, until Sunday.
Gatwick Airport has reopened after being shut for two days but is warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations as it takes a few days for schedules to return to normal.Gatwick Airport has reopened after being shut for two days but is warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations as it takes a few days for schedules to return to normal.
Passengers are being told to check with their airline before leaving home.Passengers are being told to check with their airline before leaving home.
Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, will remain closed until 1000 GMT on Sunday.Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, will remain closed until 1000 GMT on Sunday.
Police in Cumbria are investigating the deaths of two elderly people, who died in their gardens in freezing conditions in separate incidents.Police in Cumbria are investigating the deaths of two elderly people, who died in their gardens in freezing conditions in separate incidents.
Officers said it appeared 80-year-old Lillian Jenkinson, who was found dead in Workington on Wednesday morning, might have fallen in her garden in freezing conditions.Officers said it appeared 80-year-old Lillian Jenkinson, who was found dead in Workington on Wednesday morning, might have fallen in her garden in freezing conditions.
On Tuesday, 84-year-old William Wilson was found dead in his garden in Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen, and police - who are urging people to look out for each other in the cold weather - are trying to work out whether a fall or a medical condition may have contributed to his death.On Tuesday, 84-year-old William Wilson was found dead in his garden in Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen, and police - who are urging people to look out for each other in the cold weather - are trying to work out whether a fall or a medical condition may have contributed to his death.
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