This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-11952089
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Hope of weather respite as Army called in to clear snow | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Forecasters have predicted a brief respite from the freezing weather, as the Army was called in to clear snow and ice in Edinburgh. | |
Temperatures will reach 3C-5C (37F-41F) across many parts of the UK on Thursday afternoon and could be as high as 8C (46F) on Friday. | |
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has called on people to help neighbours by clearing icy side roads. | Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has called on people to help neighbours by clearing icy side roads. |
The Met Office has weather warnings in place for icy roads in many areas. | |
'Subtle change' | |
The Army started working in Edinburgh on Wednesday night following a request for assistance from the city council. | |
Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland were out on the streets of the city within hours of approval being given by the Ministry of Defence. | |
It is understood that a team of five soldiers was deployed to a hospital to clear access to a boiler house for a delivery of fuel. | |
Another team shifted snow and ice at a residential home to allow the delivery of medicine and food. | |
They will be joined on Thursday morning by more troops, along with members of the Royal Navy and RAF. | |
The Army had already provided 10 off-road vehicles and drivers for the Scottish Ambulance Service, responding to 100 urgent call-outs within 48 hours. | |
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -15C (5F) to -18C (0F) overnight, but forecasters are predicting that the mercury will rise over the next few days before another cold spell kicks in. | |
BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said there would be some problems with icy roads for the morning. | |
But he said there would be a "subtle change" as cold Arctic air was replaced by warmer conditions from the Atlantic. | |
'Exceptional circumstances' | |
Roads in Scotland have been getting back to normal. The M8, which links Edinburgh and Glasgow, reopened after two days on Wednesday afternoon. | Roads in Scotland have been getting back to normal. The M8, which links Edinburgh and Glasgow, reopened after two days on Wednesday afternoon. |
It was among a number of major routes in the busy central belt hit by snow, which forced hundreds of people to abandon their cars. | It was among a number of major routes in the busy central belt hit by snow, which forced hundreds of people to abandon their cars. |
Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson told MSPs he accepted responsibility for the chaos. | Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson told MSPs he accepted responsibility for the chaos. |
However, he shrugged off opposition calls for his resignation by saying the government was faced with "exceptional circumstances". | However, he shrugged off opposition calls for his resignation by saying the government was faced with "exceptional circumstances". |
In other developments: | |
| |
Mr Hammond said councils had to make choices about which roads to grit but could provide salt to allow the public to clear residential streets. | Mr Hammond said councils had to make choices about which roads to grit but could provide salt to allow the public to clear residential streets. |
"In many cases people would like to have the opportunity to have access to grit and salt supplies so that on roads that are not on the council's gritting route they can... make the pavements a bit easier, make it a bit easier for them to get out of their driveways," he told the BBC. | |
"People have always dug their way out of their own driveways... and I would encourage people who are able to do that kind of thing to continue doing it for themselves and for neighbours who are perhaps less able to." | "People have always dug their way out of their own driveways... and I would encourage people who are able to do that kind of thing to continue doing it for themselves and for neighbours who are perhaps less able to." |
He said the government had recently put together a "common sense" code of practice which, if followed, should protect the public from legal action as a result of attempting to clear snow. | He said the government had recently put together a "common sense" code of practice which, if followed, should protect the public from legal action as a result of attempting to clear snow. |
However, he said there was no need in England for the Army to be called in because councils were still able to call contractors if they needed help clearing roads. | However, he said there was no need in England for the Army to be called in because councils were still able to call contractors if they needed help clearing roads. |
Prime Minister David Cameron urged people to be "good neighbours" as the icy grip took hold of the UK. | Prime Minister David Cameron urged people to be "good neighbours" as the icy grip took hold of the UK. |
The AA said it had responded to more than 230,000 incidents since the first widespread snow on 24 November - a 93% increase on the same period last year. | The AA said it had responded to more than 230,000 incidents since the first widespread snow on 24 November - a 93% increase on the same period last year. |
The RAC said it had received 50% more call-outs than normal. | The RAC said it had received 50% more call-outs than normal. |
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 |
Have you been stuck in the snow overnight? How did you cope? Has your business been affected? Are you still able to go out and buy food? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below. | Have you been stuck in the snow overnight? How did you cope? Has your business been affected? Are you still able to go out and buy food? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). 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 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |