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Snow delays: Cameron 'frustrated' Snow delays: Cameron 'frustrated'
(40 minutes later)
Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "frustrated" over the lengthy delays to air travel caused by snow at Heathrow Airport during the weekend.Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "frustrated" over the lengthy delays to air travel caused by snow at Heathrow Airport during the weekend.
He said cabinet had discussed the widespread travel chaos "extensively" on Tuesday, as thousands of passengers remain stranded across the UK.He said cabinet had discussed the widespread travel chaos "extensively" on Tuesday, as thousands of passengers remain stranded across the UK.
He said the second runway at Heathrow would be open within hours.He said the second runway at Heathrow would be open within hours.
Meanwhile, East Coast trains between London and Peterborough had to be evacuated after power line damage.Meanwhile, East Coast trains between London and Peterborough had to be evacuated after power line damage.
Heathrow has been criticised for the length of time it took to clear tonnes of snow from runways and plane stands, but the government has revealed that an offer of Army assistance was turned down.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We've said if they need additional manpower, a bit of muscle to clear snow we can provide them with troops and lorries to do that.
"They're telling me at the moment they have all the muscle they need. They've cleared most of the stands here and they're actually now in the process of clearing the south runway to get that opened."
In other developments:
  • Some passengers waiting at Heathrow are being bussed to Manchester Airport for flights, with the first flight out expected to be a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong
  • More than 100 passengers were stuck for six hours on a Southeastern train between Kemsing and Otford in Kent when rail lines froze
  • Gatwick Airport reopened at 0600 GMT after closing overnight, but passengers were told to expect further disruption
  • Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Birmingham, Luton, London City, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton airports say all flights will be subject to delays and cancellations
  • Some 392 schools remain closed in Northern Ireland
  • Motoring rescue service the AA had its busiest ever day on Monday - with 28,000 calls
  • First Capital Connect, First Hull Trains, Grand Central, the TransPennine Express, the Stansted Express, Heathrow Express, Virgin Trains, South West Trains, Chiltern Railways, Merseyrail, and Arriva Trains Wales are all subject to delays and cancellations
  • A report by the head of the RAC Foundation concludes the government may find it "challenging" to meet road salt requirements for the rest of the winter, although enough was stockpiled to cope with the cold spell at the start of the month
  • The Foreign Office warns of disruption to rail and air travel in France, with delays in parts of Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland
Heathrow Airport is operating a reduced flight schedule until at least 0600 GMT on Thursday, although the Department of Transport has relaxed night-flight restrictions at the airport.
Normally all flights stop between 2330 and 0600, but for the next three nights arrivals and departures can continue until 0100, with arrivals only after 0100.
Forecasters have predicted there will be no let-up in the freezing conditions until Boxing Day.Forecasters have predicted there will be no let-up in the freezing conditions until Boxing Day.
BBC forecaster John Hammond said while the southernmost counties of England had seen a slight rise in temperatures, it would be very short lived, with no significant thaw this week.BBC forecaster John Hammond said while the southernmost counties of England had seen a slight rise in temperatures, it would be very short lived, with no significant thaw this week.
The Met Office warned temperatures could fall as low as -20C in parts of northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.The Met Office warned temperatures could fall as low as -20C in parts of northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.
It also warned of heavy snow in parts of Wales and widespread icy roads across most of the UK.It also warned of heavy snow in parts of Wales and widespread icy roads across most of the UK.
Heathrow has been criticised for the length of time it took to clear tonnes of snow from runways and plane stands after a blizzard on Saturday dumped 5 inches in one hour.
Mr Cameron said: "Even BAA's harshest critics have conceded that given the amount of snow that has fallen, extensive disruption is understandable.
"But if it's understandable that Heathrow had to close briefly, I'm frustrated on behalf of all those affected that it's taking so long for the situation to improve."
He added: "The people stuck here are having an incredibly difficult time, especially just a few days from Christmas, and everything must be done to either get them on holiday or get them home safely."
In other developments:
  • Some passengers waiting at Heathrow are being bussed to Manchester Airport for flights, with the first flight out expected to be a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong
  • More than 100 passengers were stuck for six hours on a Southeastern train between Kemsing and Otford in Kent when rail lines froze
  • Gatwick Airport reopened at 0600 GMT after closing overnight, but passengers were told to expect further disruption
  • Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Birmingham, Luton, London City, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton airports say all flights will be subject to delays and cancellations
  • Some 392 schools remain closed in Northern Ireland
  • Motoring rescue service the AA had its busiest ever day on Monday - with 28,000 calls
  • First Capital Connect, First Hull Trains, Grand Central, the TransPennine Express, the Stansted Express, Heathrow Express, Virgin Trains, South West Trains, Chiltern Railways, Merseyrail, and Arriva Trains Wales are all subject to delays and cancellations
  • A report by the head of the RAC Foundation concludes the government may find it "challenging" to meet road salt requirements for the rest of the winter, although enough was stockpiled to cope with the cold spell at the start of the month
  • The Foreign Office warns of disruption to rail and air travel in France, with delays in parts of Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland
  • The European Union heavily criticises European airports for their response to the recent weather, with transport commissioner Siimn Kallas telling them to "get serious" about planning
Heathrow Airport is operating a reduced flight schedule until at least 0600 GMT on Wednesday, although the Department of Transport has relaxed night-flight restrictions at the airport.
Normally all flights stop between 2330 and 0600, but for the next three nights arrivals and departures can continue until 0100, with arrivals only after 0100.
The government has revealed that an offer of Army assistance was turned down.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We've said if they need additional manpower, a bit of muscle to clear snow we can provide them with troops and lorries to do that.
"They're telling me at the moment they have all the muscle they need. They've cleared most of the stands here and they're actually now in the process of clearing the south runway to get that opened."
Airport operator BAA advised people not to travel to Heathrow airport unless their airline had confirmed the booking.Airport operator BAA advised people not to travel to Heathrow airport unless their airline had confirmed the booking.
It also warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations, possibly up to Christmas Day.It also warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations, possibly up to Christmas Day.
British Airways said it was suffering "significant disruption" in and out of Heathrow, especially to its short-haul schedules. Victoria Gardiner had been due to fly to with Singapore Airlines to Australia with her husband and their 17-month-old toddler on Sunday. She described Terminal Three at Heathrow as "a bit like a refugee camp".
The European Union has heavily criticised European airports for their response to the recent weather, with transport commissioner Siimn Kallas telling them to "get serious" about planning. "My husband was in a queue for six hours yesterday, just trying to get information. And he was told to go back to our hotel which we'd actually booked ourselves the night before. It's absolute chaos."
Linda Groom, who was scheduled to leave London for Australia on Saturday after two months working in the UK, said: "My husband and two grown-up daughters are waiting for me, and hoping that I will arrive on Christmas morning."
After Saturday's flight was cancelled, she went to a hotel and tried again the following morning. Her taxi hit traffic jams near Heathrow and she got out to trudge a kilometre through the snow with her backpack, only to be told again that her flight could not leave. She eventually found an alternative flight on Thursday.
"I was miserable about two days ago but I guess it's relative. There are some people who have been stuck at the airport for three days. At least I am warm and comfortable while I wait, but my hopes of sharing Christmas with my family and having cold turkey and strawberries on the beach are fading."
On the rail network, passengers were forced to abandon trains between London and Peterborough after damage to overhead power lines near Huntingdon crippled eight trains, and more than 100 people were stuck for six hours overnight on a train in Kent when lines froze.
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