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Heavy snow and ice brings travel chaos across UK Heavy snow and ice brings travel chaos across UK
(40 minutes later)
Christmas travellers are facing further transport chaos amid warnings of heavy snow for many parts of the UK.Christmas travellers are facing further transport chaos amid warnings of heavy snow for many parts of the UK.
Hundreds of drivers spent much of the night stuck on the M6 in Greater Manchester, amid disruption on the roads, railways and airports.Hundreds of drivers spent much of the night stuck on the M6 in Greater Manchester, amid disruption on the roads, railways and airports.
British Airways cancelled all flights out of Heathrow from 1000 GMT to 1700 GMT and all short-haul flights from 1000 GMT to 1600 GMT at Gatwick.British Airways cancelled all flights out of Heathrow from 1000 GMT to 1700 GMT and all short-haul flights from 1000 GMT to 1600 GMT at Gatwick.
Easyjet also scrapped flights at Gatwick, between 0600 GMT and 1000 GMT.Easyjet also scrapped flights at Gatwick, between 0600 GMT and 1000 GMT.
BA advised all passengers on BA flights during times affected not to travel to Heathrow on Saturday, and warned of severe disruption at all London airports.BA advised all passengers on BA flights during times affected not to travel to Heathrow on Saturday, and warned of severe disruption at all London airports.
A Gatwick Airport spokesman said flights to Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen had all been disrupted.
'Mayhem''Mayhem'
Spokesman Phillip Allport said BA was the biggest airline at Heathrow and even a short closure of an hour or two at short notice would be chaotic for passengers.
"Thousands of people would be inconvenienced because BA runs so many flights. A smaller airline can take a chance on the weather not behaving as forecast - BA can't," he said.
Passenger Jade Price, whose BA flight to the US capital Washington DC was amongst those cancelled, said Heathrow's Terminal 5 was "absolute chaos".
The mother-of-two, from Uxbridge in Middlesex, told the BBC: "We sat on the tarmac with our two small children for four hours with no food before being told that we would not fly because the queue for de-icing was too long.
What's the weather in your area?Source: BBC Weather
"Terminal 5 was absolute chaos. All luggage was lost - with no information about how or when it would be returned to us - and people were not given food, travel, or hotel vouchers...
"The disappointment on my four-year-old son's face when he found out that we we wouldn't get to see his grandparents was heartbreaking."
Airport operator BAA said BA aside, there had been no significant cancellations by other airlines at Heathrow.
Spokesman Andrew Teacher told BBC Radio 4's Today programme both runways had been di-iced and "everything is working".
A Gatwick Airport spokesman said flights to Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen had been disrupted.
Problems were reported on several motorways overnight, including the M61, M58 and M57, as 20cm of snow fell in north-west England.Problems were reported on several motorways overnight, including the M61, M58 and M57, as 20cm of snow fell in north-west England.
Commuter Stephen Derbyshire, who was stranded on the M6 for five hours, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It is absolute mayhem."Commuter Stephen Derbyshire, who was stranded on the M6 for five hours, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It is absolute mayhem."
The M6 and M61 reopened at around 0700 GMT after junctions 22-27 and 6-8 respectively had been closed.The M6 and M61 reopened at around 0700 GMT after junctions 22-27 and 6-8 respectively had been closed.
Police have advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.Police have advised people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Jon Caudwell from the Highways Agency said they were doing their best to keep major roads in England clear but needed help from motorists.Jon Caudwell from the Highways Agency said they were doing their best to keep major roads in England clear but needed help from motorists.
He told 5 live: "We've obviously got more and more snow coming, so we're really going to have to work very, very hard.He told 5 live: "We've obviously got more and more snow coming, so we're really going to have to work very, very hard.
"We are asking the public to really seriously consider whether they do need to come out in these conditions and if they do come out in these conditions they really must take extra care.""We are asking the public to really seriously consider whether they do need to come out in these conditions and if they do come out in these conditions they really must take extra care."
And there was a similar message from the Northern Ireland Roads Service, which said slush from Friday had re-frozen overnight and Christmas shoppers should think carefully before setting out by car.And there was a similar message from the Northern Ireland Roads Service, which said slush from Friday had re-frozen overnight and Christmas shoppers should think carefully before setting out by car.
In Cardiff, staff who work at University Hospital Wales are being urged to contact their wards to see if they are able to help over the weekend because the weather has hit staffing levels.In Cardiff, staff who work at University Hospital Wales are being urged to contact their wards to see if they are able to help over the weekend because the weather has hit staffing levels.
Other problems caused by the weather include:Other problems caused by the weather include:
  • Bristol Airport was closed for snow clearance but later reopened, as did Belfast International airport, although delays are expected
  • Rail operators Southern, Southeastern and South West Trains cancelled some services on Saturday
  • A number of weekend href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fixtures/default.stm" >football fixtures have been cancelled and the National Hunt meeting at Haydock was abandoned
  • A cannabis factory in Leicester has been exposed by the wintry weather because heat lamps inside melted the snow on its roof
  • An urgent appeal is being made for blood donors, particularly those who are O negative, as stocks are running low
  • Companies have warned of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before Christmas
  • Transport secretary Philip Hammond says distributors of heating oil are hoping to clear their delivery backlog in the next few days, following fears it may need to be rationed
Heavy snow is forecast in Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.Heavy snow is forecast in Northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.
Overnight, temperatures fell as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and minus 11C at Gatwick.Overnight, temperatures fell as low as minus 13C in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and minus 11C at Gatwick.
Up to 10cm of snow is expected later across southern England and Wales.Up to 10cm of snow is expected later across southern England and Wales.
BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said: "South-west England and the southern counties of of England will bear the brunt of this storm." BBC weather forecaster Daniel Corbett said: "South-west England and the southern counties of England will bear the brunt of this storm."
Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.Heavy snowfall during the past few weeks has caused huge disruption, especially in Scotland and north-east England.
On Friday, at least 800 schools in Wales, 500 in Scotland and 700 in Northern Ireland closed.
New Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has insisted Scotland is "very well prepared" and the authorities are doing all they can to keep trunk roads open.
Mr Brown' s predecessor Stewart Stevenson resigned after his department was criticised for its handling of the problems caused by the previous bout of severe weather.
Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice or have your travel plans been disrupted? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice or have your travel plans been disrupted? You can send us your experiences 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.
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