'Widespread travel disruption after heavy snow' diff viewer (2/3) - News Sniffer

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on January 18, 2013 17:24 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

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Widespread travel disruption after heavy snow	Widespread travel disruption after heavy snow
2013-01-18 19:55:10 UTC	2013-01-18 20:30:06 UTC (35 minutes later)
Heavy snow is continuing to cause major disruption with motorists being warned of treacherous driving conditions on roads across England.	Heavy snow is continuing to cause major disruption with motorists being warned of treacherous driving conditions on roads across England.
The AA said by 14:00 GMT it had dealt with about 6,800 breakdowns, which was about 900 an hour.	The AA said by 14:00 GMT it had dealt with about 6,800 breakdowns, which was about 900 an hour.
It said the busiest areas were the south coast, parts of the South West, the Midlands and London.	It said the busiest areas were the south coast, parts of the South West, the Midlands and London.
London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and East Midlands airports have been affected as well as railways.	London Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and East Midlands airports have been affected as well as railways.
The Met Office has issued amber alerts for the Midlands, London and the South, the east of England, the South West and North West.	The Met Office has issued amber alerts for the Midlands, London and the South, the east of England, the South West and North West.
The AA said by the end of the day it expected to attend about 11,000 call-outs compared to some 9,500 on an average Friday.	The AA said by the end of the day it expected to attend about 11,000 call-outs compared to some 9,500 on an average Friday.
'Longer journeys'	'Longer journeys'
Drivers are being urged to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys.	Drivers are being urged to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys.
Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "There's been a big impact on the roads as the snow fell so heavily with traffic crawling on many routes and we've had reports of journeys taking three or four times longer than usual."	Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "There's been a big impact on the roads as the snow fell so heavily with traffic crawling on many routes and we've had reports of journeys taking three or four times longer than usual."
	Driver Kate Jones, from Lancaster, described conditions on the roads as "horrendous".
	"I took a chance today and drove back from Wrexham to Lancaster," she said.
	"I'm an experienced driver but I was quite scared.
	"Conditions were horrific up until Preston, where the blizzard fizzled out."
In Warwickshire, the M40 was blocked and there was slow traffic at junction 3a for the M42.	In Warwickshire, the M40 was blocked and there was slow traffic at junction 3a for the M42.
Two coaches broke down on the A3 in Hampshire with one passenger being treated for a diabetic condition.	Two coaches broke down on the A3 in Hampshire with one passenger being treated for a diabetic condition.
Drivers stuck northbound from the Liphook services were told not to abandon their vehicles.	Drivers stuck northbound from the Liphook services were told not to abandon their vehicles.
Heavy snow has also caused treacherous conditions on the M5 in Somerset between junctions 26 and 19.	Heavy snow has also caused treacherous conditions on the M5 in Somerset between junctions 26 and 19.
Sussex Police said there were hazardous conditions on the A27 Chichester by-pass because of the weather.	Sussex Police said there were hazardous conditions on the A27 Chichester by-pass because of the weather.
Heavy snowfall across Dorset prompted police advice not to travel unless necessary.	Heavy snowfall across Dorset prompted police advice not to travel unless necessary.
The A35 Dorchester to Bridport road was closed in both directions, with the Dorchester to Bere Regis section having long delays.	The A35 Dorchester to Bridport road was closed in both directions, with the Dorchester to Bere Regis section having long delays.
A gritting lorry got stuck at Warminster and an ambulance was trapped in snow at Lyneham in Wiltshire.	A gritting lorry got stuck at Warminster and an ambulance was trapped in snow at Lyneham in Wiltshire.
Rail operators are running altered timetables, in a bid to keep services operating.	Rail operators are running altered timetables, in a bid to keep services operating.
Flights were suspended at Birmingham Airport until 18:00 GMT.	Flights were suspended at Birmingham Airport until 18:00 GMT.
East Midlands Airport said all flights had been temporarily suspended to allow snow to be cleared.	East Midlands Airport said all flights had been temporarily suspended to allow snow to be cleared.
Flights from Bristol Airport continue to face delays after snow closed the runway.	Flights from Bristol Airport continue to face delays after snow closed the runway.
Southampton Airport said its runway would be closed until at least 17:30 GMT.	Southampton Airport said its runway would be closed until at least 17:30 GMT.
More than 350 flights were cancelled at London Heathrow.	More than 350 flights were cancelled at London Heathrow.
Airport staff said both runways reopened shortly before 14:00 GMT, although delays were likely.	Airport staff said both runways reopened shortly before 14:00 GMT, although delays were likely.
At Gatwick, the runway remained open, with only flights to and from the Channel Islands affected.	At Gatwick, the runway remained open, with only flights to and from the Channel Islands affected.
Delays have also been reported to flights from Stansted.	Delays have also been reported to flights from Stansted.
Four journeys on the Eurostar were cancelled with other services running with delays due to speed restrictions in the snowy weather.	Four journeys on the Eurostar were cancelled with other services running with delays due to speed restrictions in the snowy weather.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 schools were closed with about 700 of those across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire.	Meanwhile, more than 2,000 schools were closed with about 700 of those across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire.
In Ilminster, Somerset, John Jeffrey, head of Greenfylde school, slept there overnight to ensure it could open for pupils.	In Ilminster, Somerset, John Jeffrey, head of Greenfylde school, slept there overnight to ensure it could open for pupils.
Many council offices closed early in the West Midlands as did the University of Wolverhampton.	Many council offices closed early in the West Midlands as did the University of Wolverhampton.
Sports events have also been affected, with a number of horse racing meetings and football matches cancelled because of the weather - including Friday afternoon's racing on Wolverhampton's all-weather track.	Sports events have also been affected, with a number of horse racing meetings and football matches cancelled because of the weather - including Friday afternoon's racing on Wolverhampton's all-weather track.
At Ascot, racing has been cancelled on Saturday, with two inches of snow on the track and conditions expected to become worse over the weekend.	At Ascot, racing has been cancelled on Saturday, with two inches of snow on the track and conditions expected to become worse over the weekend.
Hospitals are preparing for a rise in admissions this weekend as high numbers of people are expected to be injured in falls on icy ground.	Hospitals are preparing for a rise in admissions this weekend as high numbers of people are expected to be injured in falls on icy ground.
Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site	Latest local news, travel and weather Find your local BBC site
South West Trains is running a revised timetable on a number of routes. No services are running from Ascot to Ashvale, Salisbury to Bristol and Virginia Water to Weybridge.	South West Trains is running a revised timetable on a number of routes. No services are running from Ascot to Ashvale, Salisbury to Bristol and Virginia Water to Weybridge.
Southeastern also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A company spokeswoman said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day."	Southeastern also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A company spokeswoman said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day."
In London, contingency plans for Tube services have been put in place.	In London, contingency plans for Tube services have been put in place.

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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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