'Schools and roads affected by ice as cold week forecast' diff viewer (1/2) - News Sniffer

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on February 06, 2012 04:10 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

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Version 1	Version 2
Ice 'hazard' for motorists after snowfall	Ice 'hazard' for motorists after snowfall
2012-02-06 05:00:04 UTC	2012-02-06 07:10:05 UTC (about 2 hours later)
Forecasters are warning of an ice "hazard" to drivers as many people take to the roads for the first time since snow fell across much of Britain.	Forecasters are warning of an ice "hazard" to drivers as many people take to the roads for the first time since snow fell across much of Britain.
Many major roads are clear of snow, but the Met Office has nine severe warnings in place for ice in parts of Wales and England, as the working week begins.	Many major roads are clear of snow, but the Met Office has nine severe warnings in place for ice in parts of Wales and England, as the working week begins.
Drivers are being urged to take care and remain prepared for delays.	Drivers are being urged to take care and remain prepared for delays.
Heathrow says it hopes to resume a normal service after cancelling 42% of the 1,300 scheduled flights on Sunday.	Heathrow says it hopes to resume a normal service after cancelling 42% of the 1,300 scheduled flights on Sunday.
According to the Met Office, ice is likely to be a hazard on roads and pavements across parts of south-east Wales and much of England, except the South West during the morning rush-hour. The warnings cover the period until midday.	According to the Met Office, ice is likely to be a hazard on roads and pavements across parts of south-east Wales and much of England, except the South West during the morning rush-hour. The warnings cover the period until midday.
~~It warned of people to be aware of the risk of disruption to travel.~~	It warned people to be aware of the risk of disruption to travel.
Saturday and Sunday saw disruption to airports, trains and on motorways after snow had swept across most of Britain on Saturday, bringing up to 16cm (6in) in some areas.	Saturday and Sunday saw disruption to airports, trains and on motorways after snow had swept across most of Britain on Saturday, bringing up to 16cm (6in) in some areas.
Snow has already been melting in many areas, but Andrea Day from Infix, a company providing travel news to broadcasters, said black ice was now the main danger for motorists.	Snow has already been melting in many areas, but Andrea Day from Infix, a company providing travel news to broadcasters, said black ice was now the main danger for motorists.
She said: "Overnight we're going to have lots and lots of ice. There's still lots of water around with the snow melting so that does mean that it does tend to form a layer over the top of the roads.	She said: "Overnight we're going to have lots and lots of ice. There's still lots of water around with the snow melting so that does mean that it does tend to form a layer over the top of the roads.
"That's going to get frozen overnight which means we're going to have lots of patches of black ice tomorrow."	"That's going to get frozen overnight which means we're going to have lots of patches of black ice tomorrow."
Alex Barnett, from the Highways Agency, said it had done everything it could to prevent traffic hold-ups such as the one on Saturday night which saw hundreds of motorists stranded for several hours on the M25.	Alex Barnett, from the Highways Agency, said it had done everything it could to prevent traffic hold-ups such as the one on Saturday night which saw hundreds of motorists stranded for several hours on the M25.
But he said delays were inevitable if some vehicles could not cope with the conditions as time was needed for the Highways Agency to get there to help them.	But he said delays were inevitable if some vehicles could not cope with the conditions as time was needed for the Highways Agency to get there to help them.
He advised motorists heading out on Monday to make sure they know their route and have checked that it is clear and open.	He advised motorists heading out on Monday to make sure they know their route and have checked that it is clear and open.
He also said they should make sure they had enough fuel, blankets and warm clothes, and if going on a long journey, that they had food and drink as well as a fully charged mobile phone.	He also said they should make sure they had enough fuel, blankets and warm clothes, and if going on a long journey, that they had food and drink as well as a fully charged mobile phone.
~~In incidents over the weekend:~~
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the M25 and M40, with some drivers forced to spend the night in their cars. Church Fenton, in North Yorkshire, reported 16cm (6in), and the region saw more than 60 accidents. A 55-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after injuring his spine in a sledging accident in Torrington, North Yorkshire London Ambulance Service experienced a surge in 999 calls with 2,500 in the 12 hours to midday on Sunday - up 26% on the similar period a week earlier Key roads in and out of Dover were closed on Sunday after heavy overnight snow in Kent, while rail operators reported delays and cancellations In Staffordshire more than 100 vehicles were abandoned on the A50 in Uttoxeter after two lorries jack-knifed, although the road has been re-opened
Almost 400 transatlantic passengers were left stranded overnight in Ireland after six London-bound flights were diverted.	Almost 400 transatlantic passengers were left stranded overnight in Ireland after six London-bound flights were diverted.
Heathrow operator BAA said 753 flights operated out of London Heathrow Airport, which was about 58% of the normal 1,300 flights which operate on a Sunday.	Heathrow operator BAA said 753 flights operated out of London Heathrow Airport, which was about 58% of the normal 1,300 flights which operate on a Sunday.
It has defended its decision, amid criticism from some affected passengers, to announce that it was cancelling flights on Sunday even before snow had started to fall.	It has defended its decision, amid criticism from some affected passengers, to announce that it was cancelling flights on Sunday even before snow had started to fall.
It had originally said 70% of flights would operate, but this estimate was later changed to 50%.	It had originally said 70% of flights would operate, but this estimate was later changed to 50%.
BAA added that it had decided to reduce the flight schedule at Heathrow to "minimise disruption" and said airlines had been able to re-book some passengers as a result.	BAA added that it had decided to reduce the flight schedule at Heathrow to "minimise disruption" and said airlines had been able to re-book some passengers as a result.
However some travellers disagreed with the decision.	However some travellers disagreed with the decision.
Firs Alam, who was due to fly home to Tokyo on Saturday, said he was having a "disgusting time" as he prepared to spend the night on an airport bench.	Firs Alam, who was due to fly home to Tokyo on Saturday, said he was having a "disgusting time" as he prepared to spend the night on an airport bench.
When asked what he thought of the decision to cancel flights, he said: "It's bad, of course."	When asked what he thought of the decision to cancel flights, he said: "It's bad, of course."
Richard Scott, from BAA, said because Heathrow operated at capacity, there was no slack in the system to deal with the reduced number of flights that could take off and land in bad weather.	Richard Scott, from BAA, said because Heathrow operated at capacity, there was no slack in the system to deal with the reduced number of flights that could take off and land in bad weather.
He added: "If we don't proactively cancel flights, the delays build and build and build and it's much worse for passengers."	He added: "If we don't proactively cancel flights, the delays build and build and build and it's much worse for passengers."
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she supported the "resilience plan" between the airport and air traffic control, while shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said it seemed a sensible precaution.	Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she supported the "resilience plan" between the airport and air traffic control, while shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said it seemed a sensible precaution.
Ms Greening added: "Actually cancelling flights in advance so passengers don't get to the airport and then find their flight being cancelled was one of the main recommendations of the inquiry that Heathrow held into the debacle last year when we saw huge disruption."	Ms Greening added: "Actually cancelling flights in advance so passengers don't get to the airport and then find their flight being cancelled was one of the main recommendations of the inquiry that Heathrow held into the debacle last year when we saw huge disruption."
UK weather maps: click on Key and tabs for extra detail	UK weather maps: click on Key and tabs for extra detail
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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 only	Temperature tab only
Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather	Temperature (°C) More details from BBC Weather
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