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/news/uk-england-21061224
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Disruption hits road and rail and schools close as snow falls | Disruption hits road and rail and schools close as snow falls |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of schools have been closed as heavy snow triggers disruption on the roads and rail. | |
| One rail firm is to run a revised timetable and some coach companies have cancelled services. | |
| Snow has been reported in a number of counties including Devon, Warwickshire, Essex and Norfolk. | |
| Widespread school closures have been confirmed with Norfolk and Hampshire among the worst affected areas. | |
| Lorry in ditch | |
| Southampton Airport has said its runway will be closed until at least 10:00 GMT, with more than 10 flights expected to be affected. | |
| Blizzard conditions and heavy snow have been reported across Devon where Haldon Hill is down to one lane each way, with lorries being stacked up on the North Devon Link Road near Bolham. | |
| In Norfolk, more than 200 schools will be closed and the A47 was shut at Necton after a lorry went into a ditch. | |
| More than 100 schools are closed in Gloucestershire where heavy snow was reported in the Forest of Dean. | |
| More than 70 schools and colleges have been closed in the West Midlands. | |
| In Hampshire, more than 200 schools will be closed. The A35 at Emery Down Lyndhurst has seen four separate crashes take place. | |
| So far, 15 schools and three colleges are to close in Somerset, where two coach firms said they would not be running any services on Friday. | So far, 15 schools and three colleges are to close in Somerset, where two coach firms said they would not be running any services on Friday. |
| West Somerset has seen up to 7ins (18cm) of snow fall and the county council said it was struggling to keep some roads open. | West Somerset has seen up to 7ins (18cm) of snow fall and the county council said it was struggling to keep some roads open. |
| About a dozen schools are closed in Bristol and in Oxfordshire six school closures have been confirmed. | |
| Snow ploughs | |
| The Highways Agency advised motorists to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys. | The Highways Agency advised motorists to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys. |
| Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency's national traffic operations centre, said: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential. | Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency's national traffic operations centre, said: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential. |
| "They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads." | "They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads." |
| The Highways Agency, which looks after motorways and major A roads in England, has a 500-strong fleet of salt spreaders and snow ploughs available. | The Highways Agency, which looks after motorways and major A roads in England, has a 500-strong fleet of salt spreaders and snow ploughs available. |
| South West Trains will be running a revised timetable on a number of routes. Affected services include London to Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth and London to Reading. | South West Trains will be running a revised timetable on a number of routes. Affected services include London to Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth and London to Reading. |
| Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "Whilst we are hopeful of running our full service, we are conscious that some very severe weather conditions have been predicted, with snow and sub-zero temperatures. | Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "Whilst we are hopeful of running our full service, we are conscious that some very severe weather conditions have been predicted, with snow and sub-zero temperatures. |
| "As with the roads, airlines and ferries, we can never fully insulate our operation from the effects of the most extreme conditions." | "As with the roads, airlines and ferries, we can never fully insulate our operation from the effects of the most extreme conditions." |
Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site | Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site |
| The East Coast train company has advised passengers to check before travelling. The company said it would lift ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10:00 GMT. | The East Coast train company has advised passengers to check before travelling. The company said it would lift ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10:00 GMT. |
| East Coast urged passengers wherever possible to travel before 18:00 on Friday, as heavier snowfalls were predicted after that time. | East Coast urged passengers wherever possible to travel before 18:00 on Friday, as heavier snowfalls were predicted after that time. |
| The Southeastern railway company also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A spokeswoman for Southeastern said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day." | The Southeastern railway company also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A spokeswoman for Southeastern said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day." |
| Contingency plans for Tube services have also been put in place. | Contingency plans for Tube services have also been put in place. |
| 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 |